Food Trend Alert: Make way for Almond flour
By Nmami Agarwal 23-Mar 2020 Reading Time: 4 Mins
Most people follow conventional eating habits. Our food preferences are affected by our lifestyle and culture. Our families have been following a very regular and typical eating pattern and that has been passed onto generations. But eventually, we grow out of it and look for other alternatives. Today we bring you almond flour that has received a lot of acclaims. Here we will give you all the necessary details about the product and how you can inculcate it in your diet.
Almond flour is a well-known grain-free flour. It can be used instead of wheat flour as almond flour is a healthier choice. It is sweeter and gluten-free. You can easily find it in any general store and it can even be made at home. Almonds with removed skin are blanched and then sieved in order to obtain a smooth and fine powder. Almond meal, on the other hand, is blanched with the skin and has a coarse texture. Flour is preferred for baking due to its fine texture that improves the quality of the baked goods. Almond flour is a requisite in the Paleo diet. It is a kind of diet that incorporates food items that were consumed by early humans in the Paleolithic Age.
While wheat flour is high on carbs, almond flour is low on carbohydrates and high on fat and fiber. It is rich in various nutrients such as protein, vitamin E, copper, and iron. It also contains magnesium that controls blood sugar. Almond flour acts as an antioxidant and saves the body from any free radicals.
Infusing almond flour in the diet is a smart choice as it is known to keep your body fit and disease-free.
It improves heart health and thereby reduces the risk of any critical heart disease
Lowers blood pressure and blood sugar level
It has a low glycemic level and helps in the production of insulin, reducing dependency on medicines
Reduces the chances of cancer as it is an excellent antioxidant
Releases sugar in the blood which results in the increased level of energy
Maintains low cholesterol level
Here are a few ways in which you can consume almond flour:
Baking: It is harder to bake with almond flour as compared to wheat flour because it is gluten-free. Almond flour can be used in baking a variety of items such as cake, cookie, macaroon, bread, scone, pancake, waffle, and muffin. Baking with almond flour requires extra eggs or baking powder to make it fluffy.
Cooking: Adding portions of almond flour to wheat flour to cook chappatis is recommended. It can also be used as a coating for chicken, fish or vegetables before frying it in oil.
Footnote
Adding almond flour in your diet brings something new to your plate and changes your monotonous eating habits. It has several benefits and shields you from the wrath of chronic diseases.