Enjoyed for centuries, almonds are actually stone fruits. Almonds are a great source of vitamins and minerals and are one of the most nutrient-rich tree nuts on earth. One serving (about 23 nuts) each day has been shown to lower cholesterol and your risk of heart disease.

A handful of almonds makes the perfect snack and helps to ward-off an afternoon sugar rush or pre-dinner ‘fridge raid.

Prep Suggestions: Of course, almonds can be enjoyed raw, but there are lots of other ways to eat them. Toss them into salads or rice dishes, to add a satisfying crunch. Sprinkle them over yogurt, oatmeal, frozen yogurt sundaes and other frozen desserts. For tailgating, I like to make Beer-Bacon Almond Brittle. Check out the recipe.

Nutrition Score: One serving of almonds (one ounce) contains 129 calories, 14 grams of fat, 6 grams of carbs and 6 grams of protein.