New Year’s Resolution: Almonds and Almond Butter for a Heart Healthy Lifestyle
Posted on : December 27th, 2018
Oh yes, it’s New Year’s Resolution time again! This year I’m switching my intention away from “losing weight” to doing so combined with a heart-healthy lifestyle. What does that mean? No smoking, not drinking alcohol to excess, getting enough exercise (being moderately physically active at least 20 minutes a day), and choosing a diet low in saturated fat, no trans fat, and low in LDL (Low-Density-Lipoprotein) cholesterol. Unless you want to come work on the farm, Maisie Jane’s can’t help with the exercise part. And the smoking and drinking part is completely in your court. But when it comes to improving your diet, almonds and almond butter could become a key part of a heart-healthy life!
Almonds and almond butter have no trans fat and are very low in saturated fat, especially in comparison with other good sources of protein. And they are an excellent source of unsaturated fats (polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats) which tend to lower LDL cholesterol levels and be great for your heart. Wait, you’re saying that there’s a type of fat that is actually GOOD for your heart? To some extent, yes! Don’t overdo it—it’s still high in calories! But if you substitute almonds for red meat and other sources of saturated fat (such as fried fast food) and/or use it in place of trans fat-laden snacks (like potato chips), you’re well on your way to great heart health.
Almonds also are a great source of other heart-healthy nutrients. in particular, Vitamin E found in almonds is thought to help stop the development of plaques in your arteries, which narrows them and greatly increases the incidence of coronary artery disease. They are also a decent source of fiber and plant sterols that help lower cholesterol, omega-3 fatty acids that prevent dangerous heart rhythms that can lead to heart attacks, and l-arginine that make artery walls more flexible and less prone to blood clots that can block blood flow.
The American Heart Association recommends substituting a serving of unsalted dry-roasted almonds or raw almonds for foods filled with saturated fats (meat, eggs and full fat dairy) four times a week. A serving is 1.5 ounces of whole nuts (a small handful) or 2 tablespoons of nut butter. I love almond butter spread on apples or mixed into Thai or Indonesian cuisine so more healthy guilt-free eating for me this year! And, hopefully, for you, too.
Want to see the actual research? The Almond Board of California has compiled a list.
Maisie Jane’s California Sunshine Products, Inc. was founded on strong beliefs and passion for offering unique, flavorful, top-quality, nut products. We strongly believe in earth-friendly practices that start on our family owned and operated orchards. We use Organic farming practices and continue in the process by using all-natural ingredients with no preservatives or GMOs. We believe in honest, friendly and helpful customer relations at all levels. We take pride in every task, every day, with every person.
