Almonds: High Protien, Low Carb and Delicious.

Because our focus is on creating high protein, low glycemic and natural snacks, almonds are a favorite ingredient. They make up the bulk of the protein in our No-Grain Granola and our Flourless Cocoa Nib Cookies, and add a good portion of healthy fat as well (fats that our bodies easily convert to energy and which serve as a long-lasting fuel). The protein, fiber and fat content in almonds help slow sugar absorption, keeping blood sugar levels even. Plus, they’ve got a great flavor and crunch.

Almonds might be small, but they’re high in nutrients and protein — there are 6 grams of protein in one ounce of almonds (about 22 individual almonds). Those 22 almonds have about 5 grams of total carbohydrates (3 grams of fiber and 1 gram of sugar). They’re also being hailed as a superfood, since they’re so high in vitamins (especially vitamin E and B), fiber and the fatty acids that help lower cholesterol. Almonds are ground into a gluten free flour substitute, pressed into oil, soaked and crushed to create a dairy free milk alternative (it goes great with our No-Grain Granola), and used in a wide variety of other ways as well.

Of course, there’s more to almonds than just taste and nutrition. For example:

• We think of them as nuts, but almonds are actually seeds.
• Wild almonds are bitter — humans selectively bred for sweet almonds over the centuries.
• Almond trees need to be pollinated by bees (so colony collapse puts almonds in danger too).
• Historians think they were one of the earliest foods to be cultivated.
• Candied almonds were popular in ancient Rome.
• Ancient Egyptians used almonds in baking and cosmetic products.

If you’re looking for a quick, healthy, high protein snack  that tastes great and keeps you going, you can’t do much better than almonds (unless you grab one of our Seed and Nut Bars)!