Nuts about the Snack Happy Challenge (via California Almonds)

I’m currently at risk of turning into a little ball of lard. Not only am I under strict instructions not to exercise for 6 weeks following an operation, but I’ve been inundated with ‘get well’ macaroons, Brazilian Kisses, bars of chocolate, bags of sherbet pips, fizzy laces and teeth sweets. There’s also macaroni cheese sitting in the fridge and a whole bunch of ice cream. My body is scared.

However, I do believe that the great big ‘anti-porky pie’ God in the sky must be looking over me because as soon as I settled cosily down to my ‘no exercise & lots of lardiness’ fate complete with Netflix, the nice postman delivered to my door, The 21 Day Snack Happy Challenge. This consists of 21 mini packs of California almonds, complete with an almond ‘snack tin’. I’ve not been this excited since I discovered femcare brand, Moxie supplied their panty liners in branded tins (and yes, I get excited by the weirdest of things).

The 21 Day Snack Happy Challenge

21 packs of California Almonds + 1 x Snack Happy Leaflet + 1 x Almond Snack Tin

The challenge: Snack on a handful of almonds (approximately 28g) each day and see if you feel any different at the end.

Now, whilst I’m not ‘nuts’ (ha! The first ‘nut’ joke appears!) about almonds, they definitely feature higher than hazelnuts and are on a par with walnuts and cashews. They are only won over by the ever so reliably tasty pecan. Thank goodness this isn’t all about macadamias (does anyone else hate the way they have a crunch factor of a limp carrot?).

Are almonds good for you?

I wouldn’t normally turn to almonds as my snack of choice, but I’m willing to give it a go. Indeed, they may actually be good for me. A quick Google and look up of www.almondboard.co.uk tells me:

• A handful of almonds provides approximately 65% of your daily requirement of Vitamin E, an antioxidant.
• Almonds are a natural source of protein and fibre – both things that I’ve been told I need to take in more.
• Almonds have the most calcium out of any tree nut – perfect as I never drink milk and always worry about my calcium intake. I’ve started getting those white spots on my nails…

Best of all however, is that Leatherhead Food Research discovered that by snacking on almonds you reduce your cravings for salty and fatty foods at your next meal. As someone who often approaches meals with a healthy attitude, only to be swayed by a mere sniff of fish and chips or the rustle of crispy seaweed, I often need a kick up the ass to stay on the straight and narrow. Hopefully these almonds will do the trick.

My Snack Happy journey starts today so come back in 21 days to discover if its all its cracked up to be.

Keep an eye out for #snackhappy on Twitter & Instagram @wabbitpie to follow my progress.

 

And now for the boring bits: 

Disclaimer 1: California Almonds has asked me to take part in the Snack Happy Challenge. They have provided me with all I need to complete the challenge. For more information about healthy snacking please visit www.AlmondBoard.co.uk

Disclaimer 2: I, Eliza Flynn, apologise for any truly rubbish nut jokes or puns. These cannot be helped and must be tolerated.