Everyone enjoys snacking between meals. Reaching for a nutritious snack can be just what you need to tide you over in between meals or give you a boost of energy for that workout. But not all snacks are created equal. Walk down any snack aisle and you’ll find that most snacks are ultra-processed and full of excessive calories, fat, sodium, and added sugar.
So, it’s time to kick those high-fat, processed potato chips aside and snacks on some nutrient-dense nuts instead! Not only do nuts satisfy your craving for crunch and taste delicious, but they can also do wonders for your overall health as you age and help reduce visceral fat.
To learn more about the best nuts to snack on for weight loss, we spoke with Krutika Nanavati, a registered dietitian, and nutritionist, and Paulina Lee, a registered dietitian and founder of Savvy Stummy, LLC. They said that almonds are the best because they are rich in fiber, protein, healthy fats, vitamins, and minerals that will help you lose weight and burn belly fat. Read on to learn more below!
READ MORE: 3 Healthy Pantry Snacks You Can Enjoy While Losing Weight
Almonds
Did you know that almonds are a nutrient powerhouse? They're high in antioxidants, protein, and fiber. And, almonds are also rich in one important vitamin—vitamin E. "Almonds are a good source of vitamin E, which is an antioxidant that helps protect cells from damage," Nanavati says. Antioxidants work to keep your body protected against a range of health risks, including heart disease, cancer, and more. They can also help reduce inflammation in the skin. Almonds truly deserve their superfood status!
In addition to their high antioxidant levels, almonds are also high in monounsaturated fats, a type of dietary fat. Monounsaturated fats offer a lot of cardiovascular and digestive benefits for weight loss. They are generally considered the healthiest fats and they can also be found in avocados.
Much of their health benefits come from their healthy fat content. "Almonds are rich in monounsaturated fats, which have been shown to lower cholesterol levels and reduce the risk of heart disease," Nanavati explains.
"Almonds may promote gut health by supporting the growth of beneficial gut bacteria, including Bifidobacteria and Lactobacillus species," Lee notes. "Having more optimal gut health and a balanced gut microbiome may reduce insulin resistance and inflammation linked to obesity."
If you're looking for a snack that packs a healthy punch, almonds can make quite a big difference. They can be consumed whole, chopped, sliced, ground into almond flour, or almond butter. Almonds can even be made into an alternative, plant-based milk.
The Bottom Line
So, next time you're looking for a healthy snack, you may want to munch on a handful of almonds instead of those processed potato chips. Almonds are full of protein, healthy fats, and they're also low in carbs—so they're a great snack to keep you satiated longer between meals and give you that energy boosts you need for workouts. They're also good sources of nutrients that boost immunity like vitamin E!
