Ashley’s answer: You hit on a key dilemma here that so many of my clients share—just because something is good for you or helpful with a health issue doesn’t mean you have to eat it, especially if you don’t like it or if a quality version isn’t available. The great news is that when it comes to plant options that help optimize cholesterol levels, Mother Nature didn’t start and stop with the olive! How do you feel about almonds? Almonds are a great source of heart-healthy nutrients like vitamin E, manganese, and two of my favorite minerals: magnesium (aka Mother Nature’s anti-stress mineral) and potassium (aka Mother Nature’s pro-hydrator mineral). You can eat almonds plain or drizzle almond oil onto a salad or over some quinoa or wild rice (great heart-healthy grains!) You can also chop almonds and toss them onto winter soups like tomato or broccoli purée. During the holidays, a pre-party snack of 15 almonds is a great way to avoid overeating at the party. Bring them to sprinkle on your holiday plate! Have a favorite way to eat almonds? Tweet me @AshleyKoff and @PreventionMag, and I’ll feature my favorite recipe in an upcoming post. Chewing over a food quandary? Send it to AskAshley@Prevention.com Ashley Koff is a registered dietitian, Qualitarian, nutrition expert, and
