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Almonds are one of the healthiest nuts you can eat! Almonds are packed with unsaturated fats, protein, fiber, calcium, magnesium, potassium, vitamin E, and other antioxidants.

Almonds not only taste great, they are also good for your brain (phenylalanine is a brain-boosting chemical), heart (helps raise HDL cholesterol or “good” cholesterol and reduce LDL cholesterol, or “bad” cholesterol levels), skin (Vitamin E is an important antioxidant) and their high potassium and low sodium content helps regulate blood pressure. In addition, almonds are known to boost energy (because of the presence of manganese, copper and Riboflavin), protect against diabetes (by reducing the rise in sugar and insulin levels after meals), prevent constipation (because of the high fiber content) and reduce the likelihood of birth defects (folic acid helps cell and tissue formation).

Almonds are great as a snack, on their own, but they also make a great addition to a range of dishes (from savory to sweet and everything in between!). Almonds can be mixed in your morning cereal, added to salads, stir-fries and other dishes, as well mixed in baked goods and desserts. As with all nuts, ensure that you aren’t consuming too much and limit your daily consumption to 15-20 almonds, which provide approximately 130 calories, 4 g protein and 12 g fat.

These recipes offer some delicious ways to incorporate almonds in your diet.

1. Cinnamon Raisin Almond Cookie Munchies

2. Raw Apple Sandwiches with Date Caramel Almond Butter

3. Apple Almond Butter Pancakes

4. Raw Almond Parmesan

5. Raw Almond Chunky Monkey Ice Cream

6. Simple Salad Starring Lemony Almond Cheese

7. Blueberry Almond Yeast Bread Loaf

8. Blueberry Almond Dark Chocolate Bark

9. Vegan Pigs in Plums (with Smoked Almonds!)

10. How to Make Almond Milk!

Want to try out other amazing stuff made with almonds? Check out these almond milk choices and our top nut butter picks!