Snack Happy + Challenge with California Almonds #SnackHappy

I must confess I enjoy my snacks, especially if they are sweet. I am known for having one too many sweet treats, and eating a fair amount of ice cream in the evening. I enjoy nuts, but somehow I don’t have enough nuts in my diet.

I was delighted when California Almonds invited me to take part in the Snack Happy + Challenge, in which women are encouraged to snack on a handful of almonds every day for 21 days to develop a healthy eating habit and improve overall health and wellbeing.

Last year, I really enjoyed taking part in the Snack Happy Challenge and had a feeling it would be just as enjoyable this year. Almonds are an ideal snack, full of protein, fibre, calcium and vitamin E. At the event, centred around wellness, nutrition and snacking smartly, we had the chance to chat to Denise van Outen about how she incorporates almonds in her busy lifestyle.

I really enjoyed creating my own almond snacking combos at the Pick ‘n’ Mix, by adding my favourite sweet almonds, honeyed almonds, honey roasted almonds, cinnamon almonds, to yogurt coated raisins and apricots.

After my one to one consultation with dietician Lucy Jones, I was advised to keep my jar by my desk, so I could snack on sweet almonds, instead of attacking the eating ice cream.

I loved the event with all things almond, from refreshing almond cocktails to delicious almond themed food, such as chicken skewers with almond satay sauce, almond and vegetable rolls, mini almond tarts, olive and almond tapenade, smoked salmon bline and almond pesto. The sweet almond dishes were also very tasty, I really liked almond butter flapjacks, plum and almond bites, and chocolate and almond brownie. Who knew you could have so many dishes with almond?!

After the event, I carried on the Snack Happy + Challenge, the pick ‘n’ mix selection was thoroughly enjoyed in the evenings with a cup of tea, while I kept a tin of almonds in my handbag during the day – for those moments when you tend to reach for the tin of biscuits.

I feel that the challenge has helped me to start developing a healthier snacking habit, and I will incorporate more nuts in my diet now that the challenge has ended.

You can also take part in the Snack Happy + Challenge by swapping one of your snacks for a 30g portion of almonds, usually around 23 almonds. Let me know how you feel after the 21 day challenge!

I was under no obligation to write this post, just wanted to share my experience. The opinions expressed in this post are honest and my own