Friday, March 5, 2010

Evolve: Feed Our Anatomy The Way It Was Built to be Fed


Today, I left the gym and pulled out a bright green granny smith apple and a pack of Justin's Natural Almond Butter Squeeze Pack from my knapsack. I knew the apple, itself, was a poor choice for a snack after working out because I needed something with that contained protein and would be filling. So I thought, "Perfect!" Almond butter + Apple= Match made in Heaven. It was my first time trying almond butter out of a squeeze pouch, but I was pleasantly surprised. It squeezed out easily on to my apple and left my hands mess free! I also did not have to worry about over eating because the pack is a perfect serving!

Almond Butter Wins Out
I am a huge advocate of almond butter over peanut butter. Peanuts are a legume, NOT a NUT. Although, high in protein, legumes grow underground, therefore, they contain phosphoric acid and starch, which, when eaten with other foods besides vegetables, they become very hard to digest... A.K.A stomach problems. In a sense, peanuts are like eating beans, which I know for a lot of people cause stomach discomfort and lets face it gas. In addition, the form that most people eat peanuts in, is not the healthiest (roasted, salted, sweetened, or as a butter that usually contain a mound of preservatives, such as partially hydrogenated oil-- eeeek!).

Almond butter, on the other hand, is made from a NUT and usually processed raw (sometimes roasted), with minimal, if any preservatives. Nuts are a fantastic source of vitamin E*, calcium, iron*, folate*, biotin*, and magnesium*. Nuts also provide some great fats (mono., poly., and sat.), proteins, and carbohydrates.

Bottom Line:
When we eat anything we need to evaluate its contents in order to make sure we are getting our biggest bang for our buck (reach for nutrient dense foods). This means that snacks and meals are going to adequately fill us up, provide our muscles, bones, and brain with energy and building blocks, and not make our digestive track feel out of whack!

Almond butter placed on an apple, vegetables, in yogurt, smoothies, oatmeal, or even a replacement for peanut butter on a sandwich increases the nutritional density of your food.

A Recipe

Erin's Version of Enjoying the "Squeeze Pack"
1 Apple
1 Justin's Natural Almond Butter Squeeze Pack (classic)
Squeeze almond butter on each bite of apple!

Calories: 265
Fats: 18g
Carbs: 25 g total; 1g (sugar) 7g (fiber)
Protein: 7g

Apparently, it comes in many flavors too: Classic, Maple, and Honey

*For Your Information

Here is a little more explanation about the key benefits of the vitamins and minerals found in Almond Butter if you are interested
Vitamin E: A fat soluble vitamin. Fat soluble means you need fat to absorb it, not water-soluble, such as vitamin C-- this is why FAT FREE diets are dangerous and why full-fat salad dressing are recommended in order to absorb more nutrients in a salad. This vitamin contributes to cell membrane health and prevents cancer.
For more visit: http://www.ext.colostate.edu/pubs/foodnut/09315.html

Iron: Blood cells consist 65-75% of hemoglobin, which is a form of Iron. Also, the part of the blood that carries oxygen to muscles, Myoglobin, is made up of Iron. If this cannot happen a person will be lethargic and tired and usually ends up with anemia. Adolescents and females are in special need of adequate Iron. Growth of adolescence and menstruation of women increase the demand for this nutrient. Also, athletes, but especially female athletes, run the risk of becoming anemic and must makes sure they get adequate Iron amounts. Lastly, pairing certain nutrients with other vitamins increases its absorptivity and effectiveness. Iron is recommended to be taken with vitamin C. Hence, and apple and almond butter, ensure that the iron is properly absorbed.
For more visit: http://www.ext.colostate.edu/pubs/foodnut/09356.html

Folate and Biotin:
These are water soluble vitamins that are part of the B-complex (eight of them). These types of vitamins are not stored in the body, therefore you must eat them every day. These vitamins act as coenzymes so they help your body get more energy out of foods. Without these vitamins one will feel lethargic and tired. Also, they aid in healthy skin, good vision, control appetite, and assist in proper nervous system function and red blood formation.

For more visit:
http://www.ext.colostate.edu/PUBS/FOODNUT/09312.html

Magnesium: Helps with the formation of bones and teeth and assists in the absorption of calcium. It helps cells regulate themselves properly and helps control blood pressure. Again, this enzyme is best utilized when paired with calcium, which is another reason why almond butter is a great food to attain the most nutrients.

For more visit: http://www.anyvitamins.com/magnesium-info.htm