Advice from a Fat Kid on Healthy Eating

Almonds are now an excellent addition to your diet, even outside of Almond Joys. Fat kid humor. Anyway, these little nibblers are one of the most nutritious of the nut family. They are beneficial in all sorts of ways...

Cancer Prevention - Almonds are low in saturated fat and contain many other protective nutrients - calcium and magnesium - for strong bones, vitamin E and compounds called phytochemicals, which may help protect against cardiovascular disease and even cancer.

Reduce Heart Attack Risk - A Loma Linda School of Public Health study showed those who consumed nuts five times a week had a 50% reduction in risk of heart attack. In addition to their cholesterol-lowering effects, almonds' ability to reduce heart disease risk may also be partly due to the antioxidant action of the vitamin E found in them, as well as to the LDL-lowering effect of almonds' monounsaturated fats.

And finally, almonds contain rhizveritrol, the anti-inflammatory agent found in red wines. Rhizveritrol is thought to be responsible for the "French paradox" which is scientist talk for the fact that Frenchies have fewer instances of heart disease than Americans, despite the French's affinity for cream sauces and buttery pastries.

I decided to put the French paradox to work in my diet, starting with my dessert. Last night, I made my first batch of healthy chocolate cupcakes....