Did you know that almonds can help you lose weight? Did you know that even though they are high in fat, almonds are better than complex carbohydrates like oatmeal?
Recently someone asked over at Men's Health, "what are the worst forms of starchy carbohydrates?"
Well, starches are just plant stores of carbohydrates...ie) potatoes, yams, vegetables, etc.
Obviously, potatoes are more calorie dense than broccoli, so if you want to lose fat, it is better to fill up on the leafy greens than the mashed potatoes.
I've found that with myself and with clients, that when we eliminate bread, pasta, and rice, and limit carbohydrate intake to vegetables, fruits, and nuts, that we lose belly fat faster.
Combined with interval training, getting rid of bread, pasta, rice, and potatoes just helps us lose fat faster. Instead of eating those types of carbohydrates, we focus on fruits and vegetables, and nuts such as almonds and pecans.
It's that simple.
In fact, science even backs me up.
In a study published in 2003, researchers found that subjects lost more weight when consuming almonds compared to complex carbohydrates.
Reference: Wien MA, Sabaté JM, Iklé DN, Cole SE, Kandeel FR. Almonds vs complex carbohydrates in a weight reduction program. Int J Obes Relat Metab Disord. 2003 Nov;27(11):1365-72
Since then, I've been recommending raw almonds to all of my clients and millions of people that read my articles on the Internet and in Men's Health magazine.
But some folks still have a hard time eating almonds. Too boring, they say.
So here are 4 ways to add extra enjoyment to your almonds. Of course, make sure your almond intake fits into your daily calorie needs.
a) Snack on dry roasted, unsalted almonds. Roasted are always tastier, but be careful and only use the dry-roasted variety, not almonds roasted in oil. You can even roast your own at home, by simply putting almonds on a baking sheet in your oven at 350 for about 10 minutes.
(By the way, there are 22 almonds in a one ounce serving.)
b) Add raw cocoa nibs. There's nothing like the combination of chocolate and nuts. Now, I'll admit, this combo doesn't beat a peanut butter cup, but it's still a great way to get more antioxidants (from the cocoa) and adds an interesting taste to your almonds.
c) Add Goji berries. This is an acquired taste, but these dried berries from Asia are full of amino acids, vitamins, and minerals. A tasty zing to add to your almonds.
d) Mix blueberries with your almonds. Perfect for this time of year. (And if you've got a few calories to spare, pour a little organic whipping cream over top of the mixture. Now that's a great post-workout snack!)
Personally, I'll be packing a bag of dry roasted almonds on Thursday as I take off for a couple of days to Bethesda, Maryland for a meeting. Perfect for the airport, the airplane, and even at breakfast in the hotel. Almonds beat carbohydrates for fat burning, and make for good snacking!
Craig Ballantyne is a Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist and writes for Men's Health and Oxygen magazines. His trademarked Turbulence Training for Fat Loss have helped thousands of men and women with weight loss and fat burning in less than 45 minutes three times per week. Turbulence Training for Fat Loss workouts help you burn fat without long, slow cardio sessions or fancy equipment. Craig's bodyweight workouts for fat loss help you lose fat without any equipment at all.