Does growing almonds really waste too much water?

Does growing almonds really waste too much water?

Author: QuickAndDirtyTips.com, Monica Reinagel December 10, 2025 Duration: 10:02

843. A closer look at how these alleged water-hogs stack up against other crops in terms of nutrition, environmental and economic impacts.

References: 

Water-indexed benefits and impacts of California almonds - ScienceDirect

Reducing Runoff from Irrigated Lands: Understanding Your Orchard's Water Requirements

Life Cycle–based Assessment of Energy Use and Greenhouse Gas Emissions in Almond Production, Part I: Analytical Framework and Baseline Results - Kendall - 2015 - Journal of Industrial Ecology - Wiley Online Library

California Almonds: Weighing Economic Impact vs. Water Sustainability | YIP Institute Agriculture Policy

California Almonds: Weighing Economic Impact vs. Water Sustainability | YIP Institute Agriculture Policy

Find a transcript here

New to Nutrition Diva? Check out our special Spotify playlist for a collection of the best episodes curated by our team and Monica herself! 

We've also curated some great playlists on specific episode topics including Staying Strong as We Age, Diabetes, Weight Loss That Lasts and Gut Health! Also, find a playlist of our bone health series, Stronger Bones at Every Age

Have a nutrition question? Send an email to nutrition@quickanddirtytips.com.

Follow Nutrition Diva on Facebook and subscribe to the newsletter for more diet and nutrition tips. 

Find out about Monica's keynotes and other programs at WellnessWorksHere.com

Nutrition Diva is a part of the Quick and Dirty Tips podcast network.  


Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.


You're probably tired of the constant noise around what to eat, with every headline seeming to contradict the last. Nutrition Diva cuts through that confusion. Hosted by Monica Reinagel, a seasoned expert from QuickAndDirtyTips.com, this weekly conversation feels like getting clear, practical advice from a trusted friend who actually understands the science. Instead of pushing fads, Monica takes the latest nutrition research and unpacks it in a way that makes sense for real life, separating the solid findings from the hype. She directly tackles the questions that pop up in your own kitchen, whether you're wondering about a new superfood or just trying to pack a better lunch. The goal isn't perfection, but building a sensible, sustainable approach to food that leaves you feeling informed and in control. Tuning into this podcast means replacing anxiety with actionable knowledge, so you can make choices that are right for you without the dogma. It's a grounded resource for anyone who wants to think about health and eating well, but could do without the extreme diets and scare tactics.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 832

Nutrition Diva
Podcast Episodes
255 ND Are Grains Killing Your Brain? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 7:09
A new book argues that eating wheat sets you up for Alzheimer's and other brain diseases. Should you go grain-free? Nutrition Diva reviews the evidence behind this latest theory.New to Nutrition Diva? Check out our speci…
253 ND Double Your Protein, Lose More Fat? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 5:27
Recent headlines encouraging folks to double their protein intake may be misleading. Find out whether increasing your protein intake is a good idea.New to Nutrition Diva? Check out our special Spotify playlist for a coll…
252 ND What's the Most Nutritious Way to Eat Vegetables? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 6:54
Can you enhance your nutrition by eating certain vegetables in certain combinations? Nutrition Diva makes it easyNew to Nutrition Diva? Check out our special Spotify playlist for a collection of the best episodes curated…
251 ND Can You Get Too Much Omega-3? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 7:19
Is it possible to get too much Omega-3? How do the omega-3s from various sources compare? Nutrition Diva helps sort it all out for you.New to Nutrition Diva? Check out our special Spotify playlist for a collection of the…
250 ND Benefits of Manuka Honey [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 5:58
What makes manuka honey different from regular honey? Nutrition Diva investigates the science behind the claims.New to Nutrition Diva? Check out our special Spotify playlist for a collection of the best episodes curated…
249 ND Does Garcinia Help With Weight Loss? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 6:40
Does garcinia enhance weight loss or suppress appetite? Here's what you can expect.New to Nutrition Diva? Check out our special Spotify playlist for a collection of the best episodes curated by our team and Monica hersel…
248 ND Red Wine and Cholesterol [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 5:50
Does drinking red wine with red meat protect your heart? Nutrition Diva peeks behind the headlines to see what this latest research really tells us.New to Nutrition Diva? Check out our special Spotify playlist for a coll…
245 ND Fish Oil and Prostate Cancer Risk [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 6:30
Recent studies suggest that high intake of omega-3s increases your risk of prostate cancer. Should you stop taking fish oil? Nutrition Diva takes a closer look at the pros and cons of fish oil for men.New to Nutrition Di…
244 ND What Are ORAC values? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 6:04
Are ORAC values a better way to measure the total antioxidant capacity of foods just another marketing ploy? Learn what these numbers mean for your health.New to Nutrition Diva? Check out our special Spotify playlist for…
243 ND What Are Electrolytes? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 6:31
Are you getting enough electrolytes? Find out what electrolytes do for you, where you get them, and how to be sure you are getting enough.New to Nutrition Diva? Check out our special Spotify playlist for a collection of…