Celebrate Almond Day The Entire Month Of February With Versatile Recipes & Heart-Smart Tips

From almond peach granola and smoked paprika almond popcorn bowls to make-ahead travel snacks such as almond butter banana cookies, America's favorite nut can be enjoyed and celebrated in all kinds of ways. From February 1-28, check out Almonds.com/CelebrateAlmonds for these craveable, heart-smart almond recipes and tips to give a boost to any snacking routine.

Moore, a trusted nutrition and food expert, knows the importance of maintaining proper nutrition and eating quality foods. "Don't be fooled by the small package," Moore says. "Almonds are healthy, nutrient-rich and provide protein, fiber and good fat that keep you nourished all day long. They're hands down the perfect snack...and you can combine them easily with so many other foods."

Almond Day falls on February 16^th, and also coincides with American Heart Month and National Snack Food Month, so there are good reasons to celebrate almonds all month long. Almonds and heart health go hand in hand. In fact, scientific evidence suggests, but does not prove, that eating 1.5 ounces of most nuts, such as almonds, as part of a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol may reduce the risk of heart disease. One serving of almonds provides six grams of hunger-fighting protein, four grams of filling fiber and 13 grams of good, unsaturated fat.

If that isn't reason enough to snack on almonds, a newly published meta-analysis found that eating almonds results in significant reductions in total cholesterol, "bad" LDL-cholesterol and triglycerides, while having no significant impact on "good" HDL cholesterol levels¹, adding to the weight of evidence that supports the consumption of almonds as part of a healthy diet to maintain healthy blood lipid levels and reduce the risk of heart disease. The analysis included 18 published randomized controlled trials and a total of 837 participants. When data from all of the studies were pooled, the reduction in total cholesterol was 0.153 mmol/L (5.92 mg/dL).  The observed effects were greatest with a daily almond intake of 45 g (approximately 1.5 ounces). The study reflects more than two decades of research demonstrating that including almonds in a healthy diet pattern can help maintain a healthy heart and healthy cholesterol levels. Learn more about this study here.

Moore's tips include:

• Crush cravings for something crispy. Use egg white and almond meal to coat and bake chicken or vegetables for a crunchy, toasty crust that's got fiber and flavor.
• Sweeten oatmeal and yogurt with fruit like cooked apples or pears, berries, and bananas.
• Learn to love tea without sugar by adding fresh lemon or mint for a little extra zest.
• Sprinkle a dash of cinnamon or unsweetened cocoa in your coffee for flavor without excess sugar.

From February 1-28, 2017, California Almonds' social media followers are encouraged to share how they use almonds in their favorite recipes or daily routine by using #CelebrateAlmonds. Follow California Almonds on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, and visit Almonds.com/CelebrateAlmonds for more information, tips and recipes.

About Marisa Moore

Marisa is a trusted food and nutrition expert and registered dietitian nutritionist appearing regularly in national media outlets. Marisa has over ten years of experience working with clients to improve health outcomes in overall wellness, weight management, diabetes, high cholesterol, blood pressure and heart disease. Before launching her consultancy full-time, Marisa managed the nutrition worksite wellness program for the US Centers for Disease Control (CDC). A former spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, Marisa has been featured in over 1,000 interviews in national print, TV and radio media outlets. She is a past President of the Georgia Dietetic Association (GDA) and is an active member of the Robinson College Council of Business Young Leaders. Marisa holds a Bachelor of Science degree in nutrition and dietetics from Georgia State University and an MBA (Marketing) from that university's Robinson College of Business. For recipes and wellness tips visit her website marisamoore.com, or visit her on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.

About California Almonds

Almonds from California are a healthy, natural, wholesome and quality food. The Almond Board of California promotes almonds through its research-based approach to all aspects of marketing, farming and production on behalf of the more than 6,500 almond growers and processors in California, many of whom are multi-generational family operations. Established in 1950 and based in Modesto, California, the Almond Board of California is a non-profit organization that administers a grower-enacted Federal Marketing Order under the supervision of the United States Department of Agriculture. For more information on the Almond Board of California or almonds, visit Almonds.com or check out California Almonds on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and the California Almonds blog.

¹ Musa-Veloso K, Paulionis L, Poon T, Lee HL. The effects of almond consumption on fasting blood lipid levels: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials.  Journal of Nutritional Science 2016; 5(e34):1-15. 

SOURCE California Almonds

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