National Almond Day: Get More Almonds in Your Diet

We’re nuts for almonds and we hope you are too! If not, prepare to be convinced. These crunchy morsels, jam-packed with nutrients and antioxidants, are SO versatile, that everyone can find a way to enjoy them. (Except for those who are allergic to them, of course.)

In honor of American Heart Month, we’re looking at recipes for this heart-healthy nut. The more you can include almonds in your diet, the more your body gets exceptional nutrients that greatly benefit many different organs and bodily functions.

Health benefits of almonds (with the brown layer of skin kept on):

• Great source of antioxidants
• One of the world’s best sources of vitamin E (excellent for skin, but also lowers chances of developing heart disease, cancers and Alzheimer’s disease)
• High in healthy fats
• Good source of protein
• 3.5 grams of fiber per ounce
• Extremely high in magnesium (helps regulate blood sugar and lower blood pressure)
• Reduces bad cholesterol levels
• Excellent snack or food for those wanting to lose weight
• Improves brain health
• Enhances bone health

These small nuts are miracle workers and they’re delicious. You can put them in salads, desserts, snacks and they also can add a flavorful crunch in main course dishes. Almonds are super versatile because they don’t only need to be eaten whole – they can be used to create milk, flour, dough or oil.

Here are some different recipes that showcase how you can incorporate more almonds into your meals:

Breakfast

Coconut Almond Energy Bars
Want to take your almonds to go? Keep the almonds whole in this easy-to-make, healthy snack recipe.

Almond Oat Banana Crepes
Use almond meal and traditional oats to make mouth-watering crepes. Add fruit to make this an even healthier dish.

Topical Almond Pancakes
These gluten-free pancakes’ are made with almond flour, which is high in fiber and protein.

Lunch

Almond Orange Crusted Chicken With Fennel Arugula Salad
Incorporate fresh fruit and sliced almonds into this healthy, protein-rich salad.

Almond Vegetable Stir-Fry
The next time you plan to eat stir-fry (or the next time you have a bunch of leftover veggies), throw some slivered almonds in the mix and your body will thank you.

Paleo Almond Flour Pizza
Use almond meal or almond flour to create nutrient-packed pizza dough. Be sure to top the pizza with loads of colorful veggies.

Almond Crusted Fish Sticks
Next time you feel like fish sticks, don’t buy the processed junk found at your grocery store. Instead, make your own by coating the fish in ground almond crumbs.

Dinner

Strawberry Spinach Salad
When opting for a light dinner, plan a nutritious salad with sliced almonds on top, like this delicious spinach salad.

Beef and Almond Stuffed Zucchini Boats
These little boats of flavor make perfect dinners or side dishes for people of all ages. Top the zucchinis with slivered almonds, lean ground beef, raisins and spices for a healthy meal.

Almond-Crusted Tilapia
Create a rich-tasting, almond breadcrumb topping for this very mild fish and your family will be asking you to make it again and again.

Almond Milk Chicken
Cook chicken in almond milk and spices for a creamy, easy-to-make meal that will seem almondless.

Dessert

Vegan Almond Butter Cups
This vegan treat is the perfect alternative to fattening peanut butter cups. Use dairy-free dark chocolate, almond butter and sliced almonds to whip up this delightful dessert.

Almond Butter Cookies
Almond butter (high in healthy fats and fiber) is used to create these delightful cookies. Top each one with a whole almond to remind you of the nutrients your body is getting when you devour them.

Discovering a new, versatile ingredient that can be incorporated in your dishes is fun and inspiring. For more healthy meal tips and recipes, check out Scripps Affiliated Medical Groups’ articles.