 Almond flour has been a stable item in my pantry for a number of years now. In fact, when I get down to a single three-pound bag, I quickly get another on order. It provides a sweet, nutty flavor, that doesn't overwhelm you. It is an excellent gluten-free alternative flour and can be used as a 1-to-1 substitution for baking; extra eggs may be necessary to provide structure to your recipe and help with binding everything together. It can be used in cookies, cakes, bread, and a multitude of other items.
Almond flour comes from the almond nut. It is excellent for individuals that may be seeking a more tailored diet, such as, keto, paleo, high protein, grain-free, or low-carb. There are two ways it can be ground. The first is known as almond meal (unblanched), which is when the entire almond, including the skins, are ground to a fine consistency. The other way is almond flour (blanched), which is when the skin of the almond is removed and then ground into an even finer consistency. I personally only use almond flour, but everyone has their own preference when it comes to baking and consistency. Almond flour provides some great nutrients such as vitamin E, riboflavin, manganese, iron, calcium, potassium, and copper. Also, almond flour is known for its health benefits. Some of those benefits include:
I ran across an interesting study regarding almonds and how well they assisted in weight reduction. 65 adults were either categorized as either overweight or obese. Half of them ate a low-calorie diet with their choice of complex carbohydrates each day. While the other half ate a low-calorie diet plus three ounces of almonds each day. Keep in mind the exact same amount of calories and protein were consumed by all of them. The results were somewhat mind-blowing. After the end of the 24-week study, there was a 62 percent greater reduction in weight/BMI, a 50 percent greater reduction in waist circumference and a 56 percent greater reduction in fat mass compared with the group that consumes the low-calorie complex carbohydrate diet. I think those are some pretty great results. By no means am I suggesting or encouraging you to run out and get on this low-calorie diet and eat almonds, but I find it fascinating that the almonds assisted in the weight reduction so prominently. It goes to show that little differences in the way we eat can go a long way in our health. Also, keeping in mind everything in moderation and too much of any certain food can get us out of balance. I know for me learning about some those additional health benefits encourages me to continue to use as my base flour and keep it on hand. If you haven't made almond flour a stable in your pantry, I highly recommend you add it to your list. Comments are closed.
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Hello, my name is Rachel. I am a wife, mother of four beautiful children, and a registered nurse. I have a passion for educating people on nutrition. I strive to "Put life back into your lifestyle," by connecting you to the most up-to-date and accurate information regarding gluten-free living and other topics on nutrition. Check out my blog, website, and feel free to drop me a line! Archives
April 2019
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