My Dog Ate My Almonds!

Today, I was working outside with three clients and Bruschi was hanging out in the car waiting for his Saturday morning sprints. Well, from my plain view his head disappeared and I figured he had found some of my file folders to chew on (my fault for leaving them in the back seat!). So I ran over to my car and that "something" wasn't a chew toy, no it was my container of natural organic dry roasted unsalted ALMONDS!

He had eaten half the container! Bruschi, had went into the front seat reached and used his little mug to pick up the entire almond container off the passenger side floor! (at least it wasn't my arm rest, but that is a story for another day!) But, oh wait it gets better! He then popped open the top and went to town! So much so that when I got to the car he was still chewing on his last mouthful!

I called the vet who was 5 minutes down the road and got no answer. They opened in 10 minutes so I rushed down there. They told me I was lucky that they weren't macadamian nuts, dogs are allergic to them! I thought macadamian nuts? Why eat those when Almonds are SO much better for you!

In fact a recent study published in the International Journal of Obesity may help put almonds back on the menu for many dieters. The study, conducted at the City of Hope National Medical Center in Duarte, Calif., demonstrated that the tasty morsels can be an important part of a successful weight-loss program.

Lead investigator Michelle Wien, Dr.P.H., R.D., found that when she asked volunteers to include raw or roasted almonds in their calorie-restricted diets, their weight-loss efforts were dramatically accelerated.

The study included 65 overweight and obese adults who were placed on one of two diets designed to promote weight loss. The caloric value and protein content of the two diets were equivalent, but only one included a 3-ounce serving of almonds daily.

After 24 weeks, the two groups showed a striking difference in their weight-loss patterns. The almond-eating group lost 62 percent more weight and 56 percent more body fat than the nut-free group. The almond-eaters also experienced significantly greater reductions in waist circumference and blood pressure.

Hey, are you eating almonds daily? I know I do and you should too! Substitute them into your daily snacks and keep yourself feeling satisfied!

In an earlier study conducted at the University of Toronto, researchers found that when subjects ate just 1 ounce of almonds daily, their levels of low-density-lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol fell significantly. Lower levels of LDL cholesterol reduce the risk for cardiovascular disease.

Almonds have been shown to be good for your heart by lowering the risk of heart disease, and in addition offers protection against some types of cancers. And I especially liked this one as should many of you women who are always looking for a little "crunchy" in your diet.

Dr. Wien also noted that almonds provide a healthy source of "crunch" that many dieters miss, especially when they're cutting back on carbohydrates.

So how about that one! And when you start to feel and see the difference in your daily intake don't thank me, thank Bruschi!

Dedicated to your fitness success,
Tyler English, NASM-PES, CPT

P.S. YOU TOO COULD GET OUTSIDE AND DO SOME EXERCISE!! IT'S BEAUTIFUL! GO NOW! USE MY FRIDAY BLOG POST FOR YOUR WORKOUT!