Can Almonds Make You Fat & Cause Weight Gain?

Starting with the important fact that almonds are not nuts. They are the seed of a fruit from the almond tree.

It’s a species of tree native to Iran and surrounding countries.

Can almonds make you fat?

Almonds, despite being high in fat, are considered a weight loss-friendly food, but that too if you eat it in moderation.

The people who normally are binge eaters will for sure gain fat.

To know more about almonds, nutrition, and how you can add them to your daily meal plans while still losing or maintaining weight, keep reading.

Can almonds cause weight gain?

Almonds contain a fair amount of calories, but that doesn’t mean they’ll make you gain weight, as long as you watch how many you eat.

The nutrient profile of almonds:

A 1 ounce (28-gram) serving of almonds contains:

• Fat: 14g (9 of which are monounsaturated)
• Protein: 6g
• Carbohydrates: 2.5g
• Vitamin E: 37% of the RDI
• Manganese: 32% of the RDI
• Magnesium: 20% of the RDI
• They also contain a decent amount of copper, vitamin B2(Riboflavin), and phosphorus

Do almonds cause belly fat?

Alone, neither can it cause belly fat nor help you get rid of it.

In another way, if you replace your junk food with almonds and add it to your daily meal plan according to your calorie intake, it can help you flatten that belly!

Almonds are rich in fiber, protein, healthy fats, vitamins, and minerals that help to lose weight and burn belly fat if eaten according to your calorie intake.

Are almonds good for weight loss?

Weight loss or gain depends upon your eating habits.

Eating more than your daily calorie requirement would make you gain weight, and eating less or within your calorie intake will help you lose or maintain weight.

How can almonds help you lose weight?

Following are ways in which almonds can help you burn fat and lose weight:

Almonds can curb hunger

Almonds are not easily digestible, which means they can help you feel full for longer.

• They are packed with proteins.

High-protein foods in the diet help suppress appetite.

• They are filled with fiber.

Fiber is filling, so when it’s a part of your meal, you are likely to feel full for a longer time.

• They are high in good fats.

Like protein and fiber, fat is digested slowly too.

Benefits of eating almonds

Research shows that not all calories of almonds are absorbed by the body.

Although almonds are high in calories, adding them to your daily meal plan will help you take in fewer calories.

Other benefits:

• Almonds are loaded with antioxidants.
• Almonds are high in vitamin E.
• Since almonds are low in carbs, They can easily be eaten by diabetics
• Magnesium in almonds can help to control blood pressure levels.
• They can lower your cholesterol.

How do almonds affect your health?

Study shows that consuming almonds is associated with a lower risk of many health diseases, which includes

• Heart disease
• Prevent diabetes
• Inhibit cancer cell growth
• Decrease Alzheimer’s risk

Are almonds keto-friendly?

The keto diet is all about minimizing your carbs and increasing your fats.

Almonds are almost keto-friendly, despite that, they should be taken in certain amounts because they are high in net carbs, which can make your body go out of ketosis.

How to enjoy almonds?

Here are some tips to enjoy almonds while on a weight loss journey:

• Snack on whole almonds.

Try buying small packs of almonds with 100 or fewer calories already measured out.

• Avoid blanching them.

Eat your almonds that still have their skins, which contain several antioxidants and nutrients.

• Use sliced almonds as your salad or yogurt toppings.

They are a great way to add the crunch and flavor.

• Try almond butter.

Another way to include almonds in your diet is to have them as its butter.

Nutrition of almond butter

Two tablespoons serving of unsalted, no sugar added almond butter has 190 calories

• Carbohydrates: 6g
• Protein: 8g
• Fat: 18g
• Fiber: 3g

Ideas to enjoy almond butter

• Spread it on a whole-grain toast.
• Use it as a dip for sliced apples.
• Add it to an oatmeal bowl.
• Blend it into a smoothie.

Almond milk

Recently, almonds are used to make milk, butter, and flour.

More people are moving towards a plant-based first, so it’s very common for your local coffee shop to offer almond milk instead of cow’s milk.

Almond milk tastes almost similar to regular milk with a nutty hint.

It’s nutritious, low in calories, and dairy-free.

Where are Almonds most popular?

The United States is the largest consumer of almonds, although it exports more than it consumes.

Spain produces much less than it consumes and therefore imports a larger percentage of what it consumes from the United States.

Other major consumers of Almonds

• Germany
• India
• China
• Vietnam

Side effects of Almonds

Eating lots of almonds can cause several side effects and allergies

• Eating too many almonds can cause gastrointestinal problems, because of the excess mineral and vitamin overdose, such as:

1. Nausea
2. Abdominal pain
3. Diarrhea
4. Constipation

• Eating too many almonds can cause facial acne.
• Too many almonds can lead to kidney stones.

Interesting facts about almonds

1. Almonds are the edible seeds of the almond tree.
2. California produces over 80 percent of the world’s almonds.
3. Almonds were one of the earliest cultivated foods.
4. Almond milk is plant milk manufactured from almonds with a creamy texture.
5. Almond flour can be used as a gluten-free alternative to wheat flour while cooking or baking.
6. There are two main types of almonds:

• One variety produces sweet edible almonds.
• The other variety produces bitter almonds, which are used for almond oil.