Eminent nutritionist Dr. Amita Singh, Nutrition Consultant at National Hospital, Bhopal came together with renowned Chef Ajay Chaudhary, Sous Chef, Hotel Courtyard by Marriott, Bhopal, to talk about the multiple health benefits of almonds at Hotel Courtyard by Marriott in Bhopal.Chaudhary showcased the usability of the nut in a live cooking demonstration of easy snacking recipes based on almonds, and ways of incorporating them in the daily diet.
“Almonds can be had whole or sliced, diced, blanched, flavoured, added to deserts, gravies, salads and even in smoothies and shakes to beat the summer heat. In my experience, I have often felt that the versatility of almonds have not been explored to the fullest when it comes to cooking with them,” he said.
Singh bust myths regarding consumption of almonds during hot summer months, and shed light on their anti-oxidant and heart-healthy qualities, their role in managing weight, diabetes and overall wellbeing as demonstrated by international research.
Said Singh, “We encourage regular consumption of almonds, throughout the year to our clients, to snack on them when they feel hungry between meals, or start their mornings with almonds. One ounce of almonds contains 6 grams of protein, is cholesterol free and all this in a mere 138 calories.
While it gives you a ‘full’ and satiated feeling, it also helps keep you away from unhealthy options. Almonds are heart-healthy and are also high in nutrients like vitamin E, protein, magnesium, copper, phosphorus, and riboflavin and have pre-biotic and anti-oxidation qualities. Also, one serving of these nuts contains 13 grams of good or unsaturated fats and just 1 gram of saturated fat.
”“A lot of our clients also express concern about consuming nuts in summers. However, there are no studies that indicate any ‘heat generating’ effect of almonds and hence are beneficial to be consumed throughout the year,”,she added.
According to a health claim by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 2003, scientific evidence suggests, but does not prove, that eating 1.5 ounces per day of most nuts, such as almonds, as part of a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol may reduce the risk of heart disease.
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 6,000 California Almond growers and processors, 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.
