How Many Almonds to Eat Per Day For Weight Loss?

It is only in the more recent times that we’ve seen dry fruits and nuts enter the healthy category; because despite the fact that they are natural, organic and constitute a great, healthy snack, the oils and the fatty content in them was a source of concern for many, as the rule of crisps and potato chips apply to nuts too (you can ever just have one). 

So, it is a welcoming change for many to see questions like ‘how many almonds to eat per day for weight loss?’ and at the same time, it gets a bit unnerving for health freaks who have previously been swept over by the whole debate that nuts are unhealthy and could contribute to obesity, dethroning them from their spot of the best healthy snacks that you can just munch on without worrying about gaining those pounds. 

So, for today, we tackle the topic of almonds for weight loss and how many almonds to eat per day for weight loss. Plus, we’ll also answer some common questions like ‘how many almonds can I eat a day’ and are almonds any good for weight loss? Long-time health nuts (pun intended) might be a bit surprised to see almond nuts in this equation, but yes, dry fruits and nuts like almonds, cashews, pistachios and a couple of other are being touted now for their healthiness, and the fact that you can actually substitute them for potato crisps or other unhealthy snacks that are actually making you fat. 

This does not discredit the previous opinion or try to hide the fact that there are still fatty oils in nuts; its just that with moderation, these nuts and their oils are actually beneficial, more than any other oils that you might eat with junk or fast foods anyway. 

Let’s get into it. 

Are Almonds Good For You?

Yes. Almonds are organic, natural and full of vitamins, minerals and fiber, so they are good for you. They also include a lot of fatty oils and lipid structures, which had been the point of contention among many who watched their weight. But why, you might ask? Well, its like with potato crisps; you can’t just have one. Much like cashew nuts or peanuts, when you sit with a pack of almonds (salted, that’s the best), you are going to down half a pound or so before you get up for water and set the pack aside.

So its this overage of nuts that is a point of concern for many people as a consistent habit of this can eventually result in too much oily fats, contributing to your overall getting fat. 

Now onto that ‘yes almonds are good for you’ part. Almonds are packed with both energy and nutrients; the nutrients being a wide variety of vitamins and minerals, that are not usually covered by a daily average diet. Plus a lot of fibrous content, one which helps with digestion. Furthermore, we have LDL, which is good cholesterol, which is also present in almonds and which is considered extremely healthy if taken in moderate quantities, which again drives home the point of the need to eat nuts in moderation. 

New research from Penn State University actually pointed out the benefits of almonds in losing belly fat, which is basically fat that has been stored as a form of energy. With almonds, as has been stated, the fatty cholesterol content is LDL, informally known as good cholesterol, and this cholesterol is imperative in maintaining bodily functions and lubricating the joints present all over the body (again, in moderation).

How Nutritious Are Almonds Really?

Let’s start with some numbers for this question’s answer. An ounce (oz) or roughly 28 grams of almonds will get you,

• 3.5 grams of fibre
• 6 grams of protein
• 14 grams of fat (9 grams of monounsaturated fat)
• Vitamin E (37 per cent of the Recommended Daily Intake)
• Manganese (32 per cent of the Recommended Daily Intake)
• Magnesium (20 per cent of the Recommended Daily Intake)
• 161 calories 
• 2.5 grams of digestible (simple) carbohydrates
• Copper, Vitamin B2 (riboflavin) and phosphorus in quantities close to the RDI

As you can see from the very comprehensive list above, a relatively small number of these nuts can get you some pretty amazing benefits. Again, to counter that oily fats point, you can see for yourself that while the fat content pretty much outweighs anything else on this list, you have to keep in mind that this is the healthy fat, corresponding with LDL (good cholesterol), that, 

if eaten in moderation, will not pose any risk at all to your wellbeing and will not make you fat. However, overconsumption or repeated overage of daily binge-eating of all nuts is detrimental in the sense that this will contribute to you getting fat. 

Also Read: Are Mangoes Good For Acid Reflux?

How Much Energy Can You Get From Almonds?

As stated beforehand, energy from almonds is plentiful and is easily available (in the form of simple carbohydrates and whatnot). Per ounce of serving, you get basically 160+ calories of energy, which is quite a lot, despite the fact that almonds are mostly fibrous and fatty oils. However, again, if eaten in moderation, almonds are great for snack-munching, and are a very good source of quick energy as they constitute simple carbohydrates (that turn into glucose relatively easily) and give a quick boost of energy.

Almonds and Fat: The Point of Contention

Almonds have, at least in the past few years, incurred the wrath of some very dedicated health nuts and people focussing on getting and staying slim. This is because of its fat content: as is evident from the list beforehand, almonds are very fat-intensive, meaning that they contain a lot of fat.

An ounce (which is nearly 28 grams) contains around 15 grams of fat, which is quite too much. Aside from fat itself (which would be 100 per cent constituent of fatty materials), almonds and nuts in general are some of the highest-fat content foods out there, and peanuts and almonds are further thought so because of their use in butter and oil (peanut butter and almond oil). According to many researchers and people working on foodstuffs (especially nuts), this particular perception of nuts also tarnishes their reputation as fatty or ‘could-get-you-fat’.

However, that isn’t the case, at least with almonds. Yes, the fat content is high, but again, this fat is beneficial, much like the cholesterol present in almonds and other nuts is. LDL, which is regularly and informally known as good cholesterol, is imperative for the healthy and proper functioning of the body. Similarly, the fat present in almonds is good fat, which helps the body stay warm, and all the while dispose off adipose tissue, which you might know as ‘belly fat’, which is the main point of concern for many health-concerned people. 

So, Do Almonds Make You Fat?

No, almonds do not make you fat, but only when you do not eat them in excess. Excess of everything is bad, and something that is too oily and excessive in fats is going to be troublesome if eaten too much. But that’s not to say that almonds and nuts in general are inherently bad or are filled with fat. 

As mentioned before, almonds actually contain the good type of fat; and cholesterol too, which is LDL. Fried almonds as a snack can be troublesome; but again, if eaten in excess, because fried almonds have their fat and oily content doubled obviously, due to frying. 

Newer and more recent research suggests that the fat in almonds might be beneficial; adipose tissue, which comprises most of the fats in the belly (or the abdomen), is different than the fat that could be accumulated with almonds, but this fat derived from almonds may cut down on the adipose tissue in the belly, which could mean it actually helps with cutting down on fat. 

Which is really weird, for a lot of people, because nuts have been seen by nutritionists as particularly damning when it comes to fats and oil. But these studies and researches have shown that fats and oils from natural and organic sources is actually beneficial for you, because while belly fat or adipose tissue isn’t very beneficial when it comes to maintaining bodily functions, the fats and oils gained from almonds and other natural and organic sources is far more beneficial, as it is the primary source of lipids for joint movement and wherever the body requires lubrication. 

Will Almonds Burn Fat Then?

Not exactly the right term for almonds, but they could cut down on adipose tissue or fatty tissue. Burning fats means consuming them, and that is only done in two situations; where the body doesn’t get enough energy, and is then forced to burn fats to make ends meet. The second situation is of course, during exercise or hard work, where the body burns fats and lipids to replenish the lost energy over the course of an intensive activity, like exercise or specifically targeting the belly fat or adipose tissue. 

Without these motivators, fat isn’t really burned, rather than getting it removed or consuming it internally (in the case of extreme survival situations wherein the body resorts to utilising energy converted from fats and lipids rather than carbohydrates and glucose).

So, will almonds burn fats? No. But, will almonds reduce body fat? Yes, almonds will reduce body fat by allowing it to be consumed. Almonds provide a lot of good fat, and if eaten in moderation and coupled with good exercise, can actually contribute to the person slimming down a lot. It provides a lot of energy and while the fat content is on the high side as well, it is good fat and cholesterol (LDL), which is actually imperative for the body. 

Almonds alone are not going to make you lose weight. Do not start eating almonds just to lose weight, because that wont work. Instead, you can couple almonds with good exercise, a low fat and carb diet to make sure that whatever your goal is (losing weight, slimming down), you can get to it much quicker and with controlled dieting. Almonds alone will not slim you down, but they can help you as you could substitute them for fatty snacks and make it so that you snack on healthy and organic foods, rather than deep fried crisps.

How Many Almonds To Eat Per Day For Weight Loss?

For weight loss, as is stated already, an ounce a day or maybe two if you really like them should be enough. Mind you, almonds wont actively help you lose weight, but will be beneficial as their inclusion in your diet replacing high-fat content will help your body shed its fatty adipose tissue layer much quickly.

So, to conclude, an ounce or two of almonds a day (not fried) should do the trick.

Almonds- Better For Weight Loss?

No, there are a lot of other foods out there that are far better at cutting down additional fats than almonds. But since we are focusing on almonds for now, yes, they can help you lose weight, but they aren’t as good as cutting down fats completely or starting a more active lifestyle. 

Why Are Almonds And Other Nuts Considered Healthy Then?

Because they are natural and organic, nuts and almonds are considered healthy even though their salt and fat content might be on the plus side. This is because the fats they do contain and good and healthy, and are actually required by the body for its normal functioning. Plus they are usually eaten as snacks, and seeing as they are natural and organic, they are considered far more healthier than what usually are considered snacks. 

Nuts and Almonds: Same Type, Different Clothing?

Nuts are usually defined as fruits that grow as roots. Almost all nuts grow under the soil, or within the seed, and almonds are no different. They are found in the seeds of the almond plant, and constitute the class of plants whose roots and seeds are consumed as nuts. Almonds are nuts and are related to other nuts in this category like cashews, peanuts and walnuts.

FAQs

List of commonly asked questions and answers about the topic “How Many Almonds to Eat Per Day For Weight Loss?”