7 ways almonds up your Eat Clean snack game

Almonds are a key food in a busy, Eat Clean life.  These nuts, which grow on trees, tick off many boxes from being plant-based, portable, delicious, nutritious and high in protein to also being sustainable.  In short, almonds are the perfect food for your Clean Living lifestyle.

If you were to spend a day with me you would find this to be true. Almonds or almond-based foods are everywhere on my menu, that’s how perfectly they align with my Eat Clean principles.

Here’s what a sample Tosca Reno Almond day might look like:

Almonds are an ideal Eat Clean food that keeps your weight loss and wellness goals on track.

Here are 7 ways to make your day an almond day too:

1. Carry almonds with you wherever you go as a natural and satisfying, clean snack.  Easy to eat out of hand, and requiring no additional packaging, almonds are efficient and eco-friendly.

2. Use almond butter as part of your pre-workout nourishment especially when paired with a quick-release fruit like dates or banana.

3. Add almonds to a plant-based diet as a solid protein source. Every 1-ounce serving (about 23 nuts) delivers 6 grams of protein.

4. Add almonds to salads and other recipes to increase fibre intake.  Those same 23 nuts will drive up your fibre intake by 4 grams.

5. Satisfy your fat needs with almonds: a 1oz serving contains 14 grams of heart-friendly monounsaturated fats.  Healthy fats also keep you satiated longer.

Almonds truly are your ideal go-to Eat Clean snack.  Eat your way to wellness with these little beauties.

What is your favourite way to consume almonds? Have a favourite recipe? Please share in the comments below.

Remember, I am always listening.

Tosca Reno

PS. I just have to share one of my all-time favourite almond-based recipes with you. The Paleo Loaf is versatile and delicious. You can enjoy it savoury or sweet.

Tosca Reno’s Paleo Loaf Recipe

Yield: 1 loaf

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 35 minutes

Total Time: 50 minutes

Print

Ingredients

• 2 cups blanched almond flour/meal
• 2 tablespoons coconut flour
• ¼ cup flax seed ground
• ¼ cup chia seed
• pinch unrefined sea salt
• ½ teaspoon gluten-free baking soda
• 5 whole, organic eggs
• 1 tbsp raw, organic honey
• 1 tbsp coconut vinegar

Instructions

1. Place all dry ingredients in a medium bowl. Combine well.
2. Place all wet ingredients in a separate medium bowl and beat until combined.
3. Combine wet and dry ingredients.
4. Pour into prepared, greased loaf pan.
5. Bake at 350 degrees F for 35 minutes.
6. Cool and serve.
   

Notes

TOPPING IDEAS:

• Shaved almonds sprinkled on top for a tasty treat on the go.

• Homestyle: Spread on a small amount of Greek yogurt, top with thinly sliced apples and sprinkle on a few raisins and cinnamon.
• Strawberry banana delight: Mash a ripe banana into spread-like consistency and spread onto the slice. Top with fresh sliced strawberries.
• Piña colada: Spread a small amount of coconut oil onto toasted slices and top with fresh sliced pineapple and a sprinkle of unsweetened shredded coconut.
• Zesty blueberries: Top with whole blueberries, fresh lime zest, and a sprinkle of maca powder.
• Chocolate raspberry French toast: Combine egg white, vanilla, and cinnamon in a bowl and coat both sides of the slice in the mixture. Toast both sides in a pan with a small amount of coconut oil, until egg mixture is cooked and golden. Combine a small amount of your favourite Clean, chocolate-flavored protein powder, or raw cacao powder, with water and drizzle over slices. Top with fresh raspberries and shaved almonds.