“It’s not because it’s good for your health that you can eat it as much as you want,” insists our expert.
Almonds are very healthy nuts: they are rich in “good fats”, vitamins (E, B9), alkaline micronutrients (calcium, magnesium, selenium, copper, manganese), proteins and fiber. , which makes them real energy boosters and appetite suppressant snacks. Also, they help to reduce blood levels of cholesterol and triglycerides, they maintain a good level of muscle mass, help to fight against oxidative stress responsible for certain cardiovascular or neurodegenerative pathologies, support liver activity and regulate transit. On paper, almonds are all good,”however, It’s not because it’s good for your health that you can eat it as much as you want.“, immediately tells us Dr Jacques Fricker, nutritionist.
Like all nuts, almonds are high in calories (180 calories per serving), which is “as high in calories as milk chocolate for example”, underlines the expert. In reasonable quantities, there is no consequence on weight gain, however, in excess, they can make you gain weight, especially if you take “aperitif mix” type almonds which are often salted or flavored (let’s not even mention not chocolate-coated almonds which are very caloric confectionery to eat only occasionally).
It is often recommended to consume almonds between meals as they are satiating (as a mid-morning or afternoon snack) or in a dessert (in a cottage cheese or on a compote for example) because they do not cause high blood sugar peak and therefore no cravings one or two hours later. “They are also interesting as an alternative to aperitif cakes before a meal or sprinkled on a salad“, explains Dr. Fricker.
You will have understood, you can therefore eat almonds daily if you want them as long as you are reasonable with the quantities. Allow around 30 grams or a handful of 20 almonds per day maximum. “The ideal is to vary the nuts you eat, alternating between walnuts, hazelnuts, pistachios, almonds, etc. advises our interlocutor. For example, one day we eat a portion of nuts, the next day a portion of almonds, the next day a portion of mixed nuts… We don’t add up the portions in the same day!“