Quick, what's the more satisfying afternoon snack - a chocolate chip cookie or a quarter cup of almonds? The almonds win hands down, and they have fewer calories than a cookie bought at your local convenience store or fast food restaurant. A quarter cup of almonds (approximately 23 nuts) is about 170 calories, while many commercially made cookies these days run somewhere from 250 to 370 calories. What about the fat? Yes, almonds have a lot of it - 14 grams in this serving - but only one gram is saturated, while 9 grams is monounsaturated (the good, cholesterol-cutting fat). That cookie? Count on somewhere between 10 and 19 grams of fat, with half of that consisting of unhealthy, saturated fat. But what makes almonds more satisfying? They have twice the protein of a cookie and four grams of fiber, so you'll feel fuller longer. The cookie is loaded with high glycemic sugar that will send you crashing after the energy rush runs out, and it will leave you starving before dinnertime. In addition, almonds are a great source of Vitamin E and also contain Calcium, Magnesium and Riboflavin. Not many indulgent snacks can boast of being so nutritious! Almonds also make a great garnish - slivered or sliced almonds add an extra, nutty element to veggies or rice. You certainly can't do that with a chocolate chip cookie!