Looking to lose weight? Please count your almonds.

Do you love almonds?

Do love to snack on almonds?

Do you dip into a bag with wild abandon because, you know, they’re GOOD for you?

Are you trying to eat healthier and lose some of those stubborn pounds?

Then STOP dipping into the almonds like they’re calorie free. Because they are far from it.

Same with lots of other healthy foods.

When it comes to weight loss, calories matter regardless of what type of food you’re eating.

23 almonds make 1 serving. For that one serving you get 160 calories, 12 grams of protein, and 14 grams of heart healthy fat. They also have a good amount of fiber.

But how filling is a serving of almonds, really? (Not at ALL, really)

And how often do you stick to counting out just a serving and stopping there?

Most people I coach admit to dipping into the bag in their desk throughout the day.

Say you have four servings (handfuls) of almonds over the course of a workday. That’s a whopping 640 calories that you mindlessly consumed before we’ve added in calories from any other foods for the day. That’s a LOT.

Another thing, almonds are NOT high in protein!

I can’t tell you how often I’ll tell a client to get more protein in their diet and the first thing they tell me is that they eat nuts or nut butter. (Nut butters average almost 200 calories for one serving and only provide around 7 grams of protein)

6 grams of protein for 160 calories is NOT a lot of protein. Now, if you stick to a serving of almonds as a snack and get other higher protein foods in your day elsewhere, that’s great.

If you like almonds, by all means eat some. You’re probably best to pair them with another food so you feel more full and satisfied.

If you have them as a snack, pre measure them and stick to a serving.

Just watch the portion size and balance your day out with other foods that are going to give you higher protein for less total calories.

Now get out there!

Jeannine Trimboli