The almonds that people consume in most parts of the world are so high in their nutritional value that they are also mentioned in The Book of Genesis, the first book of The Bible as ‘precious food items’ given to people as gifts. Even though their ancestry is not accurately deciphered, their origins are believed to be in Central Asia and China. But, some people also believe that almonds thrived in the Mediterranean region a long time ago and are, therefore, native to this region.

So, it is not surprising to see this small edible seed from the almond tree (Prunus dulcis) coming in a variety of forms. If you find these almonds in their original condition, you will see them fully coated. But, if you buy them from the health food store, they will be edible nuts with their seat coats already removed. Almonds in such conditions are sold in the market as either roasted or raw. Interestingly, these almonds when kept in water undisturbed for some time become soft. The soft and brown outermost peel is easily removed to reveal the white edible nut inside.

Today, the US is the largest producer of almonds, and countries like Germany, Netherlands, and Japan are the largest importers of almonds.

Why are Almonds Healthy?

Talking about the health benefits of almonds, it is good to say that they are rich in a variety of nutrients. There are a lot of almonds benefits which is why people all over the world consume them in massive quantities.

Almonds Nutrition Facts

1. Rich in Monounsaturated Fat

It is true that almonds are fat-rich, but the fat it contains is ‘monounsaturated’ which doesn’t cause obesity. Instead, it reduces the risk of heart diseases. This has been proved in several studies. For instance, a study published by the British Journal of Nutrition suggested that consuming a little amount of almonds in the diet not only helps to lower the risks of heart diseases, but also prevents weight gain.

2. Rich in Antioxidants

Antioxidants are essential compounds that prevent oxidation and therefore, slow down or completely prevent cell damage. They can either be naturally present in your body or can be artificially manufactured in order to be added to the food items. Packed food items like chips, soft drinks, sausages, jams, etc. are prone to oxidation and damage.

Therefore, antioxidants are added to these items to prevent getting spoiled easily. In our body, the intake of antioxidants helps to prevent certain types of body cells from potential damage caused by free radicals. The accumulation of free radicals in the body can severely harm the DNA and may also cause diseases like Diabetes (type 2), heart attack, etc. Since almonds contain antioxidants, they are widely preferred as nutritious edible items.

3. Lowers Hunger, Helps You Eat Less

Are you one of those people who are trying really hard to lose weight? Are you ardently seeking foods that can help you lose weight? If yes, then almonds are those kinds of food which you must inculcate in your daily routine.

Almonds are overloaded with protein and fiber content. It is a quite well-known fact that proteins and fiber together aid in having a sense of eaten too much. It is due to this idea of fullness that people don’t feel like consuming more calories since they feel they are already full. Eating small quantities of almonds on a daily basis can greatly help individuals lose weight. So, instead of trying to exercise all day, grab a bowl full of almonds, and see the change.

• a. An experimental study with a sample size of 137 participants revealed how daily consumption of as little as 43grams of almonds successfully lowered the desire to eat more.
• b. An important study conducted on 100 females who were obese and had become a part of the “weight reduction program” revealed that women whose almond-intake was more, observed greater changes in waistline, weight, and other bodily markers than women who consumed a diet free of nuts.

Are Almonds Good for Skin?

Everybody wants glowing skin which shows little signs of aging. But, people are aware of the fact that aging is a natural phenomenon that has to take place sometime or the other. What they don’t know is that even though they can’t prevent the process of aging, they can surely slow it down with certain types of foods. Almond is one of those.

It is true that there are vitamins in almonds. An essential nutrient that is present in almonds is Vitamin E. Vitamin E is an effective remedy that slows down the process of aging. It helps in the skin nourishment process and can prove very fruitful to people who want a flawless and young skin.

So, keep aside all your beauty creams and try out the healthier way of living longer.

Do Almonds Aid in the Process of Memory Enhancement?

Since childhood, we all have been listening to the same advice a hundred times eat almonds, and make your brain sharp. But, is it really true? Is there any evidence for it?

Well, many health practitioners put forth the idea that consuming 8-10 almonds a day enhances the production of ‘ACh Acetylcholine’.

It is basically a neurotransmitter that improves memory. This neurotransmitter also helps in combating diseases like Alzheimer’s, which are primarily associated with memory function.

In addition to this, almonds are also believed to have Vitamin B6, a vitamin which boosts the production of proteins. This increase in the availability of proteins helps in the repair of brain cells thereby boosting memory.

Therefore, the proteins in almonds are important. Also, almonds contain a small quantity of zinc, which effectively improves the immune system. So, improving the immune system prevents any potential infections that might occur in the brain cell. Almonds, therefore, prevent any potential damage to the brain cells.

However, when one talks about the evidence supporting these facts, one finds that there is little evidence. From times immemorial, humans have conducted experiments on animals like rats, frogs, etc. to gather answers. In this case, too, a study on rats reveals how almond intake boosts memory.

Can Almonds Actually Prolong Your Life?

In a world where novel diseases are discovering and mortality rate increasing, some people really wish to prolong their life. This is true especially for people who start their career late and thus, wish to achieve a lot in their life.

If that’s your idea too then nuts are good for you. Interestingly, if one wants to prolong one’s life, one can do so by consuming any kinds of nuts, and not just almonds. This has proven in several studies.

• A study published by the New England Journal of Medicine suggests the correlation between eating nuts on a regular basis and longevity of life. It further states that consuming almonds on a daily basis was more effective than consuming them sometimes.
• Similarly, in a 10-year long study conducted by the researchers of Maastricht University suggested that individuals who ate 10g of nuts per day showed a 23% less chance of dying early than people who didn’t consume them or consumed occasionally.

So, even the evidence suggests why almonds can help you live healthier and longer than usual.

Do Almonds have a Lot of Calories?

People who wish to reduce their calorie intake through almonds always ask, “What are almonds good for?”.

When one talks about the almonds’ calories, one realizes that they do have calories. However, they still contain less calories than other nuts. According to this idea, almonds fall in line with peanuts.

Both peanuts and almonds are low in calorie content and are, therefore, good for health. But, when they compared to nuts like walnuts, one realizes that walnuts have more calories than almonds.

Can Almonds Take Care of Your Dental and Bone Problems?

Once a child gets a cavity in the tooth, he learns about the consequences of eating too many chocolates, of not brushing twice a day, and of not taking care of his teeth.

Similarly, when an elderly person starts experiencing minor bone accidents occurring due to bone fragility, the person regrets not consuming enough essential nutrients for strengthening his bones. Everybody learns from the past, and so should we.

You might not want to get trap in the same scenarios and therefore, it is important that you start inculcating almonds in your diet today itself.

Almonds contain 2 essential minerals phosphorus and magnesium. Both these minerals help in keeping bones strong and healthy. They also strengthen teeth.

All problems related to teeth and bones such as osteoporosis, dental caries, cavities, bone fractures, etc. can easily be prevented and eradicated by a small intake of almonds in your diet.

In what Forms are Almonds Available in the Market?

You might surprised to find an exceptional variety of almonds available in the marketplace. Not only will you be able to see almonds as raw, but also blanched. Even the process of roasting may vary. They may dry-roasted or sometimes, even oil-roasted.

If you want to purchase these almonds, you can definitely purchase them without the outermost seed coat, but sometimes, you can also get them without the seed coat.

Today, people have tried to convert almonds into an amazing variety of forms. People are becoming creative day by day with food items and newer forms of these food items are being available in the stores. Just like cashews, almonds are also available as plain or sometimes, salted. New flavors of almonds are also available now, such as chocolate-flavored almonds, chili almonds, etc.

• Almond Butter

Dairy products like butter, milk, etc. serve as the basic food items which are not only necessary but also appetizing. People who like consuming salted butter on the safe side. However, what about the people who love to consume peanut butter but suffer from a peanut allergy? Well, in that case, almond butter can serve as an alternative since it is similar to peanut butter in most aspects including consistency.

• Almond Milk

The world is not a perfect place. Everybody has different ideas, perceptions, and tastes. Isn’t it fair to have equally appetizing food for all kinds of people?

People who are non-vegetarians and vegetarians can conveniently be happy with dairy-milk since they don’t have a problem with consuming milk coming from an animal.

However, there another category of people called the vegans who don’t consume any animal products, including those coming from the dairy.

So, almond milk is the safest option for them since it is a plant product. Additionally, it is low in both lactose and cholesterol content which makes it extremely suitable for people who want to have very less intake of cholesterol or those who are lactose-intolerant. So, with an amazing range of benefits, this almond milk can be really good.

• Almond Flour

How does one even prepares almond flour? Well, it’s quite obvious how the almond peel needs to removed before chopping it into fine particles. This almond milk is more superior in quality to wheat flour because has very low carbohydrate content. However, even though it is richer in essential nutrients, it is, unfortunately, higher in fat content than wheat flour. It also contains a lot of calories which most people run away from.

• Almond Oil

Almond oil is quite effective for skin care as it contains Vitamin E which is good for keeping your skin healthy. It has the potential to heal skin irritation. Almond oil is also an important remedy to reduce or cure acne. Massaging twice or thrice a week can give amazing results.

Conclusion: Are Almonds Good for You?

After going through so many benefits of almonds, it is quite clear that indeed, they are.

Even though almonds contain an immense amount of nutrients and can help people fight against various diseases, they also need to be consumed in the right form depending on your taste, nutrient requirements, etc.

However, the best thing is that they can always serve as an alternative to chips, coke, pizzas, pastas, and so on because they are definitely healthy.

Interestingly, people are becoming so fond of almond products that products like almond milk and butter are becoming the consumer’s favorites.

It is this consumer demand for almonds and their derivatives which have encouraged countries like Italy, Germany, etc. to import large amounts of almonds. And it is this consumer demand which has provided a platform to countries like the USA to become the superpowers and to make a name for themselves in the area of trade and commerce.

Weight Loss- With COVID-19 out there, the World Health Organization advises us to avoid unnecessary movements and observe social distancing to lower the risk of contracting or spreading the virus. Heeding this advice, many companies have instructed their employees to work from home. Similarly, academic institutions have closed, ordering learners to stay home until further notice.

To be frank, many people are very idle at home right now, risking gaining weight and becoming obese. That explains why the rate of obesity has significantly gone up. Movement limitation, social distancing, and stay-at-home calls have left many people no choice but to adopt a sedentary lifestyle where they spend too many hours in front of their screens watching TV, movies, or gaming.

Weight gain has become a major health concern with more people around the world becoming overweight or obese now more than ever. Luckily, it’s very easy to deal with. There are many ways to stop getting fat with food being one of them. With that said, here are the top two incredible recipes of foods you can consume more to shed those unwanted calories:

1. Green Tea with Lemon

Perfect for breakfast, green tea with lemon is one of the most effective beverages for weight loss you can take. First, unlike other types of teas that have some amounts of calories, this tea contains zero calories. Second, this tea has strong metabolism-boosting characteristics, allowing the body to burn more calories than it normally does. Third, this tea is quite filling, reducing hunger and appetite, which are key factors for weight gain. Lastly, this tea improves digestion, helping with weight loss by ensuring a higher food absorption rate. Having said that, here is a quick remedy for great tea with lemon that yields six servings:

What You Will Need

1. An electric tea maker.
2. A source of heat.

Ingredients

1. 5 cups water.
2. 1/4-1/2 tsp. green tea powder.
3. 1/4 cup lemon juice.
4. 1/4 cup honey.

Directions

1. Transfer the five cups of water to the tea maker and bring it to a boil.
2. Next, add lemon juice.
3. Then add honey.
4. Thereafter, add green tea powder.
5. Finally, bring the solution to a boil.
6. After that, turn off the power and pour your tea into cups before serving warm with low-calorie snacks like coconut chips.

2. One-Pan Seared Salmon with Chimichurri and Summer Vegetables

One-pan seared salmon with chimichurri and summer vegetables is absolutely delicious and good for weight loss. That’s because this delicacy offers only 500 calories per serving, which is actually the lower limit of the recommended 500-700 calorie limits per meal.

Having said that, you can cook or order some straight from Sun Basket, who will deliver your order to your doorstep. Never heard about this meal delivery service before? If so, you should take a moment to read this expert review, which covers the A-Z about the service. However, if you prefer to cook due to one reason or another, here is a quick recipe you can follow:

What You Will Need

1. Paper towels.
2. A large frying pan.
3. 2 large plates.
4. A source of heat.

Ingredients

(a)For Seafood

1. 6 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil plus more if need be.
2. 2 skin-on salmon fillets (about 5 ounces each).
3. 10 oz. sea scallops.
4. 1 organic fennel bulb(a white vegetable with green feathery leaves that is consumed as a cooked vegetable or raw in salads).
5. And 1 organic squash( a large hard vegetable with very thick skin).
6. 1 organic Roma tomato.
7. And 1 organic lime.
8. 1 organic fennel bulb.
9. 2 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil plus more as desired.

(b) For Chimichurri( a sauce originally from Argentina that entails chopped fresh parsley seasoned with various herbs, garlic, and pepper, as well as bound with vinegar and oil).

1. 4 tbsp. red wine.
2. 2 tbsp vinegar.
3. A bunch of fresh parsley or cilantro.
4. 1 fresh garlic.
5. 4 tbsp. cumin.
6. Kosher salt to taste.

Directions

(a) Prepare and cook your salmon fillets:

1. Start by patting the fillets dry, using the towel.
2. Next, season the fillets generously with salt as well as pepper.
3. Meanwhile, put 2 tbsp of the olive oil in the pan and heat over medium-high heat until the oil is hot but not smoking.
4. Then, add the fish fillets (skin side down) and cook until lightly browned and the skins are crispy, or for 5 minutes.
5. Thereafter, turn each fillet and cook until the flesh is opaque and flaky, or for 4 minutes.
6. After that, transfer your fillets to a plate.
7. Now, wipe out the pan.

(b) Prepare and cook the scallops:

1. Begin by patting the scallops dry with a paper towel.
2. Then season the scallops lightly with salt.
3. Next, add 2 tbsp of the olive oil in the wiped out pan and heat over medium to high heat until hot but not smoking.
4. After that, add the scallops and cook without turning until golden brown on one side, or for 4 minutes.
5. Thereafter, turn the scallops and repeat step iv.
6. Then transfer scallops to a separate plate and wipe out the pan.

(c)Prepare the vegetables:

1. Start by trimming both ends from the squash.
2. Next, cut the squash crosswise into half-inch-thick rounds.
3. Then, cut away the root end of the fennel.
4. After that, cut your fennel lengthwise into quarters(be sure to keep the core intact).
5. Thereafter, core your tomato.
6. Now, cut the tomato lengthwise into quarters.
7. Next, cut the lime into wedges.

(d) Cook the vegetables:

• Add the remaining olive oil in the wiped pan and warm over medium-high heat until hot but not smoking.
• Then, arrange the squash as well as fennel in a single layer making sure the cut sides face down.
• Next, season the vegetables with salt and pepper, and cook, until starting to soften and lightly charred, or for 4 minutes. You should turn the vegetables only once.
• After that, transfer the cooked squash and fennel mixture to a separate plate.
• Now, add your tomato slices to the pan and season with salt alongside pepper.and cook over medium-high heat until starting to soften or for 2 minutes.N/B: Avoid turning the tomatoes.

Meanwhile, prepare your chimichurri sauce by mixing the corresponding ingredients; red wine, vinegar, parsley or cilantro, garlic, cumin, and Kosher salt.

• Thereafter, transfer the seafood plus vegetables to individual plates.
• Finally, top your servings with the chimichurri sauce you just made, and garnish them with the lime wedges and enjoy while still warm.

Final Thoughts

Being overweight can lead to several health conditions, including type 2 diabetes, stroke, and high blood pressure. Yet, many people are today at a higher risk of that, thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic, which has forced the world to adopt a sedentary lifestyle. The good news, however, is that weight gain can be dealt with by consuming the above delicacies more frequently. Green tea with lemon as well as one-pan seared salmon with chimichurri and vegetables all have strong weight loss characteristics. Moreover, Weight loss helps with back pain, since you’re removing extra pressure on your spinal discs and back.

Healthy Habits: Children’s books are a lot of fun and sometimes a little trivia about health.
This book collection introduces your children to various critical health-related topics, such as: Eat right, being physically active, get enough sleep, and dental care. So these titles provide an excellent platform for you to keep talking to your little one about many of the different elements of health and wellbeing.

There is a lot of info accessible on optimal health’s pros and cons. For busy families, simplification is often the best way to succeed. Books are a great way to encourage healthy habits and suggest new ideas. So the parents best need to start early to get kids to love and enjoy books, as seen on coolthingschicago.com. Besides, We have put together to help you get started. And check out for more information on the best picture books.

The Following Are The Best Books That Teach Kids Healthy Habits

1. The Gluttonous Little Caterpillar, By Eric Carle

The gluttonous little caterpillar is an essential classic on any shelf in a first library. What is not well famous is that the American Academy of Pediatrics has chosen this book to carry out the Alliance for a Healthier Generation, a USA campaign to help families establish healthy eating habits. It is about familiarizing the little ones with the fruits that appear (apples, pears, plums, strawberries, and oranges) and showing them how good they are for their health. Thanks to a green leaf, it is ideal to talk about green leafy foods’ benefits to heal and keep us in top shape.

(2 to 3 years old)

2. Me and My Amazing Body – Joan Sweeney

He does a great job introducing children to the human body’s inner workings and the role each plays in maintaining our general health.

3. I Will Never Not Ever Eat a Tomato by Lauren Child

It’s easy to say that eating healthy means eating various nutritious foods, but what about the many children who refuse? Wise older brother Charlie teaches his sister Lola and readers that trying new foods can be fun if you have the right attitude. Pass the orange twigs, ocean bites, cloud fluff, and moonbeams and make it a habit to try new foods.

(4 to 8 years old)

4. Eat Your Greens, Reds, Yellows, and Purples by DK

Including children in the kitchen is a reliable way to promote healthy eating. However, this cookbook’s premise aimed at “eating the rainbow” is incredibly motivational for children. Delicious photos and detailed step-by-step instructions will get everyone to prepare and eat “Radical Reds,” “Perfect and Proud Purples,” and more.
(8 to 12 years old)

5. About What We Eat by Diana Oliver

What does it mean to eat healthily? Is Everything We Eat Healthy? In this informative album full of illustrations and helpful facts, young readers can learn the answers to these and other food and nutrition questions and clarify what we eat and why we eat it.

(6 to 12 years old)

6. Get Up and Go! by Nancy Carlson

A cheerful cast of animal characters offers kids genuine encouragement on various topics. Besides, this book focuses on the benefits of exercise – it can be exciting, satisfying, relaxing, and of course, entertaining. Packed with ideas for staying active, from team sports and playground games to more sedate activities. Here is one reason for all children to “get up and go.”

( 3 to 5 years)

7. The Busy Body Book by Lizzy Rockwell

Some children need to know the first ones before accepting the desired behaviors. This non-fiction book contains information for children about how the human body systems work together and what it takes for this “amazing living machine” to work. This title covers several key fundamentals with an optimistic tone, from getting plenty of exercise to eating well and resting.

(3 to 7 years )

8. You’re Missing It! by Brady Smith and Tiffani Thiessen

When you need that reminder to put your device down and enjoy the moment even more than your kids, limiting screen time is a habit we must all cultivate. The kids in this story enjoy a fun adventure in a screen-free park and ask their phone-obsessed parents to enjoy it too.

(3 to 5 years)

9. Books About Washing

All creatures big and small flee from Gorgonzola in Gorgonzola: A very stinkysaurus by Margie Palatini. But it’s not because it’s big and scary. It’s because it needs to wash!

Conclusion

The parents need to motivate the kids to love and read books from an early state as it is one of the essential expertise children need to learn to be successful.

The key to developing reading habits in children is reading with them at home early on. So reading together frequently will help your child learn firsthand the joys of reading and help them develop the motivation to read.

In 2017, Bill Gates stated in TIME magazine that reading is “absolutely” essential to success. So the habit of reading should cultivated by making it an asset that will cherished in adulthood. Besides, it provides a tool for gaining continuous knowledge, and a book becomes a companion in which a person reads for pleasure and relaxation.