Almond Flour And Milk Benefits

Because almonds themselves are so rich in protein, fiber and essential nutrients, it makes sense that almond byproducts are also quite nutritious. By regularly drinking almond milk and using almond flour as a garnish and ingredient, you can enjoy health benefits that extend to your bones, muscles and cardiovascular system.

Nutrition Facts

One cup of unsweetened almond milk has just 40 calories and 3 g fat, 2 g carbohydrates, 1 g fiber, 1 g protein, no sugar and no cholesterol. A quarter-cup of almond flour, sometimes called almond meal, has 145 calories, 12 g fat, 4 g carbohydrates, 3 g fiber, 5 g protein and 1 g sugar. In contrast, 1/4 cup of whole almonds has 205 calories, 17.5 g fat, 7.5 g protein, 7.75 g carbohydrates, 4.5 g fiber and 1.5 g natural sugar.

Protein Benefits

Almond milk is not as high in protein as almond meal, so if you're looking to add protein to your diet, it's better to use the flour. According to ChooseMyPlate.gov, the protein present in almond meal enables proper growth and repair for tissues that make up the blood, skin, bones and muscles in your body. The site also notes that as a plant-based protein, almonds and almond products might help reduce the risk of heart disease.

Fiber Benefits

About 3 g fiber are found in 1/4 cup of ground almond meal. According to MayoClinic.com, eating a variety of fiber-rich foods can help prevent constipation, lower the risk of diabetes and heart disease, improve digestive health, lower blood sugar and cholesterol levels, and aid in weight management. Almond milk is not as rich in fiber as almond flour, so go with the ground meal for the greatest nutrient benefits.

Weight Management

Almond milk can be most useful when it comes to weight loss and weight management. At just 40 calories per serving, the unsweetened milk is far lighter than any type of dairy milk and even other varieties of nondairy milk. The fiber present in almond meal is also useful for weight loss because it provides a feeling of extended satiety and might contribute to appetite suppression.

Considerations

Although almond milk and almond flour have a variety of tremendous health benefits, neither is meant to act as a treatment for any health condition or serve as a replacement for a balanced diet. If you have any type of health problem that you intend to address with almond milk or almond flour, speak with your physician first.