Why are flaked almonds so unhealthy?

girlr94 · May 2014

I heard that almonds are good for you. I'm really not a fan of nuts at all (I only like coconut and hazelnuts) but I can tolerate almonds so I bought some flaked ones today because I need to find ways to boost my protein. But according to the packet on 25g portion (a 1/4 of the bag) contains 161 calories, 14g of fat, 1.1g saturated fat, 1g of sugar! Why is there so much fat and so many calories in them? I was hoping to eat them as a healthy snack or to add to meals but just sprinkling them of top of porridge (oatmeal) or something would be a lot of extra calories! I could easy just snack on the bag but that would be 645 calories! I know snacking that much is bad but it's still a surprise considering that they're supposed to be the one of the 'healthier' nuts. The 25g is good for protein because it's about 6g, but I feel like I can't afford to eat them if they're so full of fat otherwise! Could anyone just enlighten me as to why they're so bad?

kgeyser · May 2014

I don't see anything bad or unhealthy about almonds. Sorry.

SugaryLynx · May 2014

They aren't unhealthy...

What exactly about them is horrible? They're nutrient dense. Decent amount of proteins and fats...and they're pretty tasty on ice cream...

WakkoW · May 2014

a. All nuts are high in fat.

b. Dietary fat is not bad.

c. If your goal is to add more protein, nuts don't help all that much.

fivethreeone · May 2014

calories are not unhealthy

fat is not unhealthy

6g protein is not much protein.

120by30 · May 2014

They're not.

Flaked or whole, they taste good and are perfectly healthy. Just gotta fit them in!

eric_sg61 · May 2014

Still confused about what makes them unhealthy

bridgie101 · May 2014

I heard that almonds are good for you. I'm really not a fan of nuts at all (I only like coconut and hazelnuts) but I can tolerate almonds so I bought some flaked ones today because I need to find ways to boost my protein. But according to the packet on 25g portion (a 1/4 of the bag) contains 161 calories, 14g of fat, 1.1g saturated fat, 1g of sugar! Why is there so much fat and so many calories in them? I was hoping to eat them as a healthy snack or to add to meals but just sprinkling them of top of porridge (oatmeal) or something would be a lot of extra calories! I could easy just snack on the bag but that would be 645 calories! I know snacking that much is bad but it's still a surprise considering that they're supposed to be the one of the 'healthier' nuts. The 25g is good for protein because it's about 6g, but I feel like I can't afford to eat them if they're so full of fat otherwise! Could anyone just enlighten me as to why they're so bad?

I think it's just some kind of holdover from the 70's, when people were doing more exercise and not so worried about getting fat, but were attempting to eat 'nutrients' and half of them were going vegetarian.

I remember quite a few people going vegetarian and stacking on a ton of weight. like... a TON. Eating all those nuts for protein...

There were no other sources in NZ at the time. tofu and tofu products did not exist and I don't think anyone ever saw a garbanzo bean till the late eighties.

ashiunia · May 2014

Being high in fat doesn't make them unhealthy - look at avocados. Oh, and there are as many calories in the same amount of whole almonds as there are in slivered ones.

beabria · May 2014

Not unhealthy or bad at all, but they are calorie dense. When eating nuts, you're depending on the fat (and to a lesser degree protein) content to fill you up, not the bulk. I find that it takes a little longer for my body to realize that it is full due to fat/protein content than it does for high volume foods, but the fullness lasts much longer. So, to remind myself that I've eaten a portion and to take a break and see if I start to feel full, I've started pre-measuring my nuts. (Usually 1/4 cup = one serving, but it may be different for flaked almonds, which probably pack tighter.) Almost always I feel full within 10 minutes, but if I didn't premeasure, I would've eaten much more than one serving.

mccindy72 · May 2014

This is why so many people get confuzzled about what's 'healthy' or 'unhealthy' to eat. Nuts have a lot of oil in them, which raises the calorie count; dieticians will tell you this oil is a healthy fat. In an overall calorie count, you want to eat nuts but weigh them carefully and add them to your overall calorie count to maintain your deficit without going over, because they are so calorie dense. If you are trying to bulk and want to add calories without adding a lot of mass to your food (for those who just can't reach their overall calories in a day) nuts are a good way to do that, because they are a calorie dense food, like avocado. Basically, eat your nuts, just don't eat a lot of them.
Weigh your foods to make sure you're meeting your calorie goals and you'll be fine.

_Terrapin_ · May 2014

This is why so many people get confuzzled about what's 'healthy' or 'unhealthy' to eat. Nuts have a lot of oil in them, which raises the calorie count; dieticians will tell you this oil is a healthy fat. In an overall calorie count, you want to eat nuts but weigh them carefully and add them to your overall calorie count to maintain your deficit without going over, because they are so calorie dense. If you are trying to bulk and want to add calories without adding a lot of mass to your food (for those who just can't reach their overall calories in a day) nuts are a good way to do that, because they are a calorie dense food, like avocado. Basically, eat your nuts, just don't eat a lot of them.
Weigh your foods to make sure you're meeting your calorie goals and you'll be fine.

+1

ILiftHeavyAcrylics · May 2014

There's nothing unhealthy about fat, or any of the other things you listed. You just need to weigh out your portion so you're not consuming a lot more calories than you think you are. You need fat in order to benefit from many of the vitamins in your food.

ALH1981 · May 2014

wow - i think the most interesting thing about this post is the reference to a coconut being a nut…..

I never thought that! is that the truth?

redversustheblue · May 2014

uhh almonds are very good for you...

DavPul · May 2014

wut?

AwesomeGuy37 · May 2014

Flaked?

I eat almonds as a snack. They are less calories than 2 tbsp. of peanut butter..which has sugar and fat added to it usually. I usually take about 25 almonds and snack on them slowly and they register with my brain. You might do better with sunflower seeds or pistachios in the shells.

Mrsbeale11 · May 2014

I heard that almonds are good for you. I'm really not a fan of nuts at all (I only like coconut and hazelnuts) but I can tolerate almonds so I bought some flaked ones today because I need to find ways to boost my protein. But according to the packet on 25g portion (a 1/4 of the bag) contains 161 calories, 14g of fat, 1.1g saturated fat, 1g of sugar! Why is there so much fat and so many calories in them? I was hoping to eat them as a healthy snack or to add to meals but just sprinkling them of top of porridge (oatmeal) or something would be a lot of extra calories! I could easy just snack on the bag but that would be 645 calories! I know snacking that much is bad but it's still a surprise considering that they're supposed to be the one of the 'healthier' nuts. The 25g is good for protein because it's about 6g, but I feel like I can't afford to eat them if they're so full of fat otherwise! Could anyone just enlighten me as to why they're so bad?

It can be bad if you ate a 300g bag everyday but 25g is fine, build it into your daily plan as with nearly everything the key is moderation. I like almond wholes sliced in half with two squares of dark chocolate, it cures my sugar fix but rather than me get a complete sugar high it keeps me going for a few hours

udinth · May 2014

wow - i think the most interesting thing about this post is the reference to a coconut being a nut…..

I never thought that! is that the truth?

Not exactly. Coconuts are actually drupes, like apricots and plums... and almonds and pistachios! See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drupe

JesterMFP · May 2014

What makes you think calories and fat are unhealthy? Your body needs both, just not in unlimited quantities, obviously. Almonds are a great source of calories, fats and micronutrients. They're not a great source of protein though, so if that's the only reason you're eating them, there are far, far better sources. I eat a handful of nuts (usually a mix of almonds, walnuts, hazelnuts, pecans) every day because they're so nutritious. I just make sure to weigh them out and log them in my diary.

If it's protein you're really struggling with, look here: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/926789-protein-sources

GreatDepression · May 2014

All nuts are high in fat content, hence very high in calories.

corgicake · May 2014

Nuts are good for squirrels, people with low calorie budgets not so much. That high protein to fat ratio isn't going to be found in anything that gets mashed up and turned into "butter" - fat isn't evil, but if you've got numbers to hit you've got numbers to hit and if you're taking in fat at the expense of protein some nuts might not be the answer. Beans are low fat, most poultry and fish is low fat... even some cheeses (shredded Velveeta, to my surprise this includes you) are going to be mostly protein. This isn't the end of the list but it's a start.

alexuh · May 2014

I had a bunch of flaked almonds on my porridge this morning.

Showing some love for the flaked almonds. We're not all judging you for your calorie and fat count. :flowerforyou:

missyjane824 · May 2014

I was convinced by the title that flaked almonds were somehow different than almonds. I was duped!

DavPul · May 2014

What the hell is a drupe???

MinMin97 · May 2014

Please send me your flaked almonds!:happy:

leigh33ca · May 2014

I eat almonds as a snack as well. One natural raw almond has 8 calories.

_Terrapin_ · May 2014

Something Jakey about bad almonds and flaky; put down the computer and make some eggs and bakey. This thread message brought to you by Dr Seuss's estranged American adult male.