FIVE REASONS TO...
SNACK ON ALMONDS
STRICTLY star Karen Clifton recently revealed that a daily handful of almonds (28g or around 23 nuts) helps with her training.
The star said she always makes sure she has “all the fruits around and lots of almonds!”
But Karen is not alone in her healthy snack choices. Registered dietitian, Juliette Kellow, hails some of the benefits of snacking on this wonder nut:
1ENERGY LEVELS: “Almonds are rich in a wide variety of nutrients which can help to keep us going throughout the day and support an active lifestyle.”
2MUSCLE FUNCTION: “They’re a natural source of plant protein, which contributes to the growth and maintenance of muscle mass, plus they’re packed with calcium, magnesium and phosphorus, which help muscles to function properly – all vital when you’re training in the dance studio for hours.”
3FATIGUE: “Dancing for hours on end each day is bound to leave anyone feeling tired and fatigued – good news then that almonds contain nutrients such as magnesium, iron and folate, which help to combat this.”
4SKIN: “Almonds are high in zinc and vitamin B2 (riboflavin), which contribute to the maintenance of skin – perfect for showing off in all those skimpy outfits.”
5A 2015 study also found that a daily snack of 42g of almonds, instead of a high-carbohydrate snack with equal calories, as part of a cholesterollowering diet, helped reduce belly fat and improved cholesterol levels.