With it’s long litany of virtues, the almond deserves sainthood. However, it’s not just blind faith but hard, scientific proof that backs its ability to reduce the risk of heart disease, prevent diabetes, promote weight loss, inhibit cancer, decrease the risk of Alzheimer’s and potentially ameliorate arthritis.
Almonds are also astonishingly nutritionally dense for a seed so small, packing in approximately 20 g of protein (per 100 g) along with calcium, iron, potassium and Vitamin E. Popping a handful of whole almonds daily isn’t the only way to imbibe their nutrients, they also function as an incredibly versatile food masquerading as a milk, flour, butter and oil.
Run of the milk
If you’re looking for a dairy doppelganger, almond milk is the most convincing. While this ivory elixir still provides less protein and calcium than animal milk, here’s where it beats dairy: Less than half the calories per cup, no cholesterol and no saturated fat.
Shop: Meenu’s Prana Kitchen, EataWhey
Flour power
Almond flour is a god-send for anyone with a gluten allergy or sensitivity, effortlessly filling in for wheat in many baking recipes. It beats most other gluten-free flours out there when tested on taste and with a glycemic rating that’s almost zero, it doesn’t give you the energy spike and consequent crash you get with bread. Word of warning: use it sparingly. Though it is nutrient dense, it also has a staggeringly high amount of fat and calories—640 calories in one cup!
Shop: Gourmetco.in, Bob’s Red Mill
Strike it rich
The concentration of Vitamins A, B and E and fatty acids Omega 9, 6 and 3 makes cold-pressed almond oil a veritable skin and haircare solution. The potion efficiently clears dead skin cells, evens out skin tone and blurs dark spots, while it’s emollient properties lock moisture into your hair strands and add a healthy lacquer. It helps to know the nuances in nomenclature when buying almond oil. Cold-pressed oils preserve more nutrition than their counterparts. Be wary of buying bitter almond oil instead of sweet almond oil; the former can be poisonous if ingested or applied unsupervised.
Shop: Forest Essentials
Butter me up
Almond butter is dense with healthy fats and fibre, which regular butter lacks. This combination makes almond butter a boon for your heart, improving blood cholesterol levels, reducing the risk of cardiac disease while providing sustained energy. The high levels of Vitamin E reduce the production of prostaglandins, ensuring that you have a pain-free period.
Shop: The Protein Bakeshop, EataWhey
Bliss out
Bliss balls are packed with nutrients, satisfy your cravings for sweets and can be made in minutes. Throw extra almond meal or leftover almond pulp (from making almond milk) into a blender with dates, cashews and organic coconut oil. When it reaches a doughy consistency, shape the mixture into ball and roll them in coconut flakes, cocoa powder, chia seeds or any other superfood of your choice. The next time you crave a brownie, bite into one of these.
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