They fill you up and keep you from gaining weight: Are almonds the perfect snack?

They fill you up, cut cravings and won't pile on the pounds.

A new study out of Purdue University suggests that a handful of almonds just might be the perfect snack.

The are published in the October issue of the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

Researchers divided 137 study participants, all of whom were at risk for type 2 diabetes, into five groups.

The first group avoided all nuts and seeds. The second group ate 1.5 ounces/43 grams of dry-roasted, lightly salted almonds every day at breakfast. The third group ate the same amount at lunch.

Also see: Twists on traditional healthy snacks

The fourth and fifth groups snacked on 1.5 ounces of almonds, in the morning and afternoon respectively.

The participants were given no other dietary instructions to follow.

Researchers found that while the participants in four of the groups were adding 250 calories a day to their diets from the almonds, they did not end up increasing their total daily calories over the course of the four-week study.

Participants also experienced improved vitamin E levels and monounsaturated fat — the "good" fat — intake.

Most notably, the snack groups reported reduction in hunger and desire to eat throughout the day.

Also see: Delicious snacks under 200 calories

"This research suggests that almonds may be a good snack option, especially for those concerned about weight," says Dr. Richard Mattes, distinguished professor of nutrition science and the study's principal investigator.

"In this study, participants compensated for the additional calories provided by the almonds so daily energy intake did not rise and reported reduced hunger levels and desire to eat at subsequent meals, particularly when almonds were consumed as a snack."

Here are six reasons to add almonds to your diet. (They boost your mood, too.)

When the mid-afternoon slump hits, what snack do you reach for?