12 ways to incorporate almonds into your healthy diet

Almonds are among the healthiest foods of all, which is why you should definitely include them in your diet. However, since it is not very varied to eat them purely in the long run, it requires some tricks to avoid boredom in the kitchen. For this purpose, we have selected 12 delicious ways to prepare this versatile food.
Contrary to popular belief, the almond is not a nut, but the seed of the almond tree, which is native to the Middle East and Asia. As inconspicuous as the almond is, it is rich in macro- and micronutrients that help you optimize your physical development. Particularly noteworthy, in addition to a high protein content of 24 grams per 100 grams, is the comparatively high concentration of unsaturated fatty acids. In addition, the almond impresses with essential micronutrients such as iron, calcium, zinc, magnesium and a large part of the B vitamins, which are irreplaceable for many physiological metabolic processes in the organism. Since it is also possible to produce flour from almonds that is hardly inferior to classic wheat flour, the seeds of the almond tree are not only suitable as a basis for baking fitness-oriented cookies and muffins, but also generally as a gluten-free flour substitute for allergy sufferers. To get an overview of what you can do with this unassuming power food, take a look at the following recipes.

Variant 1 - Homemade muesli

If you're tired of eating boring oatmeal or pre-packaged cereal for breakfast, you should make your own cereal, which not only has an optimal nutritional composition, but also tastes much better. In this context, oatmeal, almond milk, and a protein powder with a flavor of your choice will serve as your base. You add the real pizzazz to your creation with some almonds, which literally give the muesli "bite". Almonds become especially crunchy when you lightly toast them in a pan over medium heat.

Variant 2 - Crispy chicken

How about adding a little pepper to your chicken fillet and giving it a crunchy breading that's by far healthier than any chicken nugget, no matter how delicious. All you need is fine almond flour, which you mix in a bowl with your favorite spices. Now all you have to do is turn the meat in the mixture and put it in the oven at around 200 degrees until the crust is golden brown.

Variant 3 - Almonds with chocolate coating

This small but delicious snack not only sounds forbidden good, but is also dangerously easy to make in the kitchen at home. All you need to do is melt dark chocolate over low heat in a water bath and glaze the almonds with a fork before enjoying this snack. Contrary to what you may think, almonds coated with dark chocolate with a high cocoa content are quite healthy, because it contains, among other things, antioxidants that have an anti-inflammatory effect. Furthermore, the substances in question are associated by science with cancer-preventing properties.

Variant 4 - Muffins

Making healthy muffins is quite simple, because all you have to do is replace the white flour with almond flour and protein powder with a flavor of your choice, and the sugar with stevia. Once you've poured the batter mixture into the molds provided, sprinkle on a few more slivered almonds to create a layer that's as crunchy as it is tasty during baking.

Variant 5 - Pancakes and waffles

Similar to the case of muffins, you can also replace the flour in the batter for pancakes and waffles with almond flour and protein powder.

Variant 6 - "Quesadilla"

This treat consists of a corn tortilla that you just have to spread with almond butter and top with slices of banana before heating it lightly in the oven or in a frying pan. If you like, you can also sprinkle a little cinnamon before baking or frying.

Variant 7 - Parfait

To make this extremely healthy dessert, you'll need Greek yogurt, fresh wild berries, some crunchy oatmeal, chopped almonds, and crushed dark chocolate. First, put a thin layer of yogurt in a jar and place a layer of toasted almonds and oatmeal on top, creating a crunchy layer. Then add the rest of the yogurt and place the berries and chocolate on top.

Variant 8 - Do it like Elvis

Although it's not 100 percent historically certain whether Elvis is also the inventor of the following delicacy, there's no question that the King of Rock 'n Roll enjoyed it during his lifetime. All you need for this extraordinary sandwich is wholemeal toast, which you spread with almond butter. Top the toast with a few slices of banana and finally place fried bacon slices on top. As soon as you bite into it, you'll know why Elvis could sing so well.

Variant 9 - Apple Crunch

This snack consists mainly of apple pieces, which are briefly sautéed in coconut oil over medium heat. After a minute or two, add a little cinnamon to the oats and heat the mixture for another minute or two. Once everything is golden brown, remove the Apple Crunch from the pan and sprinkle the mixture with either sliced or slivered almonds.

Variant 10 - Chicken salad

Few things are as easy to make as hearty chicken salad, which is guaranteed to brighten up your lunch break. Combine Greek yogurt with some low-fat mayonnaise, garlic powder, chopped celery, dried cranberries and coarse almond slivers.

Variant 11 - Asian slaw

Almonds are also great as part of a healthy side dish in an Asian slaw that can be served with both meat and fish. To make such a slaw, you first need to grate white cabbage and put it in a bowl together with chopped spring onions and some coriander. After that, make a dressing that consists of oil, white wine vinegar, stevia and a dash of soy sauce. The slaw is ready to eat after you mix in some chopped almonds.

Variant 12 - Cookies

In the vastness of the Internet you can find countless recipes for making simple cookies. To adapt these recipes to your healthy diet, you just need to replace the flour with almond flour and the sugar, as in the case of the muffins, with stevia or a similar sweetener.