Healthy Snacks: Almonds

Many people have heard that snacking leads to being overweight and obese and this can be true if the snacks you are eating involve candy bars, chips and fast-food. However, adding a few healthy snacks a day can be very beneficial to your health and can even help with weight loss by subsequently eating less at meals and maintaining our insulin and metabolism throughout the day. So, I've decided to start a "Healthy Snacks" segment and my first choice is Almonds. Nuts get a bad rap because eaten in excess they can cause weight gain due to their high fat content.
However, certain nuts, such as almonds have wonderful nutritious aspects and eaten in proper portions can not only help keep us fuller longer but also add many helpful benefits. Almonds are high in protein, heart-friendly and a good diet aid. They are a great source of vitamin E, magnesium, potassium, zinc, iron, fiber, and a good source of monounsaturated fat. They also contain more calcium that any other kind of nut. Also, as many people know, almonds can help reduce the chance of getting certain cancers because they contain B-17. They also help to reduce LDL (bad cholesterol) and can help reduce the chance of getting heart disease.
The recommended portion size of an almond snack would be one handful. This is not very much so beware not to overeat them! If you want a slightly larger snack, add them to a mixed green salad or eat alongside other crudites.
Also, make sure to get unsalted or lightly salted options!