Are You Nuts for Nuts? Here is Why You Should Be!
Do you need a snack on the go?
Are you running between meetings and need a boost of energy?
Did you skip breakfast and need a car-suitable snack?
How about going for some nuts? Here are some interesting nutty options!
1- Macadamia Nuts
Macadamia nuts are quite popular among the nut family! They have the highest fat and lowest protein and carbohydrates content. Most importantly, 60% of the fatty acid in macadamia is from monounsaturated oleic acid, the same type and quantities found in olives.
2- Pecans
Pecans have approximately the same fat and protein levels as macademia. They also contain anti-inflammatory compounds, heart healthy oleic acids, antioxidants and immune-boosting properties. Pecans may help lower LDL, cholesterol and promote healthy arteries.
3- Walnuts
Walnuts are quite high in antioxidants! Research has shown that two handfuls a day of walnuts may help prevent prostate and breast cancer and may curb tumor growth. It is important to note here that the outermost layer of the walnut, the one that has a bitter flavour, contains up to 90% of the antioxidants in the skin.
4- Almonds
Almonds, similar to walnuts, have most of their health benefits in their skin. They are rich in antioxidants with phenols, flavonoids and phenolic acids, which are usually present in vegetables and fruits. A study claims that one-ounce serving of almonds has the same amount of total polyphenols as a cup of steamed broccoli or green tea.
5- Brazil Nuts
Brazil nuts, similarly to other nuts, contain healthy fats, antioxidants, fiber, vitamins and minerals. But most importantly, they are an excellent source of organic selenium, a powerful antioxidant that has been shown to be beneficial for the prevention of cancer.
What About Peanuts?
Now, if you were looking to find peanuts in this list, then it might come as a surprise that peanuts are not nuts. The nuts on our list are ones that grow on trees, but peanuts actually are grown underground and they are legumes!
Nuts and Weight Management
Generally, adding healthy amounts of nuts to your diet may help you reach your ideal weight over time. One study, that included 31 trials, has clearly shown that the people who followed a diet with extra nuts lost about 0.5 kgs and 1.27 cm from their waists.
Why Go for Organic Nuts?
When choosing nuts to eat and snack on, it is very important that you go for organic and raw nuts. Make sure that they are not irradiated, pasteurized, bleached or coated in sugar or wheat.
Why You Should Soak Your Nuts?
You might have heard of people soaking their nuts and there is a reason behind it. Nuts, in their raw state, are kind of in hibernation mode, they are waiting for the proper growing conditions to germinate. This is nature’s defence mechanism that includes nutritional inhibitors and toxic substances that can be removed naturally when there is enough rain to sustain that the nut germinates. So by soaking the nuts, we are mimicking nature. After soaking, gluten and other difficult to digest proteins are partially broken down into simpler components that are more readily available for absorption.
For more information on soaking, we recommend this great resource.
So how about going for some nuts? Comment with your number one choice.
Resources:
http://ajcn.nutrition.org/content/early/2013/04/17/ajcn.111.031484
https://www.theepochtimes.com/lose-weight-eat-nuts_1738708.html
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21923981
http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=99
https://www.livestrong.com/article/411381-what-are-the-health-benefits-of-eating-nuts-seeds/
https://www.everydayhealth.com/diet-and-nutrition/0406/why-you-should-go-nuts-for-nuts.aspx
https://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-11796/16-reasons-to-go-nuts-for-nuts.html