Almond milk is a no-nonsense nutritional powerhouse. Use it in recipes as part of your daily diet or with your morning cereal or coffee and you may notice a positive change in your health and mood. Benefits of Almond Milk Most people have no idea that Almond milk is more beneficial and nutritious than ordinary dairy milk, due to the fact that it contains much more nutrients and it has not been subjected to the same processing. It is also an ideal alternative for those who are lactose intolerant or have allergies to soy. Almond milk is a perfect alternative to cow’s milk and has a surprisingly rich & creamy taste. The benefits of almond milk are vast, especially for those looking to lose weight. It has a low caloric value, with an 8 oz. serving of Plain (which has no added sugar) only containing around 35 -40 calories, which has a much lower impact on your daily calorie intake than skim, 1%, 2%, and whole milk. It is rich in vitamins, and also boasts an impressive dose of bone-building calcium. Diet-Friendly Benefits Almond milk is a beneficial addition to a diet geared toward weight loss or weight management. Plain, original almond milk provides only 35 to 70 calories per cup, and it’s: • Low in protein, providing only 1 to 2 g per cup • Low in fat 2.5 g • Has 0 g saturated fat • Only 8 g carbohydrates Vitamin-Rich Like conventional dairy products, almond milk is nutrient-fortified, and a good source of several important fat-soluble vitamins. One cup of plain almond milk has a Recommended Daily Value equivalent to: • 10% for vitamin A • 25% for vitamin D • 50% for vitamin E These totals make it exceptionally high in nutrients compared to the amount of calories it provides per serving. Vitamins A and E act as antioxidants, enhancing immunity and protecting the body’s cells and tissues from damage. In addition, vitamin A and is important for healthy eyesight, improves the skin and supports normal growth and development. Vitamin D helps build and maintain strong bones and teeth, and enhances immunity. Almond milk is lower in both potassium and phosphorus than regular milk or soy milk. Individuals with chronic or acute kidney disease, must restrict their intake of these minerals according to the Medical College of Wisconsin, making almond milk a better choice. High in Calcium Almond milk is rich in calcium, with one cup offering approximately 300 mg, meeting 30 percent of the DV for this major mineral. Calcium plays a big role in building and maintaining strong bones and teeth. Almond milk contains 25% of your daily recommended Vitamin D intake and 30% of calcium both of which aid in building and maintaining strong healthy bones. Having strong bones is paramount in fighting off the risk of osteoporosis in later life. Calcium is also needed to help regulate blood pressure and is necessary for muscle contraction. Those who cannot tolerate dairy products, or do not use them, often come up short on this important nutrient. Health Benefits Diabetic Benefits Almond milk is wonderful for those who are diabetic or who are looking for a milk that is blood sugar friendly, as a typical serving only contains 8 grams of carbohydrates, 7 grams of which are sugar. These sugars make up the carbohydrate content that has minimal impact on our bodies, in comparison to that of normal dairy milk, which contains simple sugars our bodies store as fat causing our bodies to miss out on these vital nutrients. Also, almond milk has such as low amount of simple sugars, giving it a low glycemic nature, which means it is digested fully by the body and used for energy. Heart Healthy Opting for the almond milk can also promote a healthy heart, as there are only 5 mgs of sodium and no cholesterol in a typical serving. The low amount of sodium, lack of cholesterol and presence of around 150mg of Potassium within the milk helps keep blood pressure levels normal and aids in maintaining a healthy heart. Alzheimer’s disease Prevention I mentioned that almond milk is packed with Vitamin D which is known to improve cell function and immunity, and this has also been proven that it can help decrease the risk of Alzheimer’s. Body Building Almond milk helps increase muscle power, which is perfect for body builders looking for a natural way to increase muscle strength and give them the explosive power that ‘unnatural’ products give. It helps improve muscles due to the presence of riboflavin which is a form of Vitamin B and iron. In a typical serving of almond milk benefits is 4% of your recommended daily intake of iron, which helps regulate oxygen absorption. And a high dose of riboflavin appears to be useful in the prevention of migraine headaches. Other Benefits No Refrigerated Needed Dairy milk has to be refrigerated or it will spoil, but you will see in the stores that almond milk is set on the shelf with dry foods. It doesn’t have to be set on ice to keep its integrity. This fact is excellent for road and camping trips. Use almond milk instead of regular milk and lessen the load in your ice chest. Grab a carton and try it! OFC Nutrition Director & Coach Kimba
Posted on: Wed, 06 Aug 2014 22:57:35 +0000