Nuts are one of the healthiest snacks out there
for modern people on the run. While many people
enjoy the healthy fats and proteins from nuts, there are many
who simply detest these treats, or fear that they’re unhealthy.
Nuts are actually the hard-shelled fruit of certain plants, which
provide worthwhile nutrition to people and wildlife. Eating nuts
isn’t limited to snacking on tasteless, hard-shelled peanuts at a
baseball game. In fact, peanuts are pretty low on the nut nutritional
scale. There are many more varieties of nuts that can be
used in larger recipes, or simply grabbed for an on the go treat.
Here’s our low-down of the best nuts for snacking, cooking, and
everything in between.
As rich sources of vitamin E, almonds are some of the most
popular nuts out there. While plain almonds are great additions
to salads and desserts, lightly salted almonds are ideal when
you’re craving a salty crunch. You’ve probably seen the small
packets of salted almonds in your local convenience store. Did
you know that in Iran, almonds dipped in sea salt are sold as
snacks in the open markets? In addition to almonds, pecans are
also a powerhouse nut and member of the Drupe family, which
means they come from within a fruit. Because they possess
over 19 vitamins and minerals such as folic acid, vitamins E and
A, potassium, and calcium, which are particularly
necessary for women who at the risk of osteoporosis, eating
pecans is encouraged by doctors for female patients looking to
curb bone density loss. The last member of the drupe family
is the walnut, which reigns supreme at the top of the nutrition
world. The world-famous walnut, known for its miraculous
nutritional content and versatility, is often referred to as the
healthiest nut out there by licensed dieticians. Don’t allow nuts
in disguise to let you think that they’re healthy. Sure, they’re
nutritious in their original form, or added in as part of a meal,
but a chocolate, yogurt, or salty coating can be rather deceiving
when you’re hungry. You know that feeling you get when you
realize you’ve inhaled an entire row of Oreo cookies? That same
thing happens with a canister of chocolate-covered almonds.
Always beware of hidden calories lurking around every corner!
When measuring cholesterol, your blood is taken to measure
the low and high density lipoproteins, often referred to as LDLs
and HDL’s. High levels of LDLs can mean an increased risk of
cardiovascular disease, and ultimately, death. This is why they
are commonly referred to as “bad cholesterols.” HDL’s are generally
referred to as “good cholesterols” because of their power
to lessen the bad cholesterol that has built up throughout
time. Walnuts, almonds, and pecans are particularly recognized
by doctors for their ability to lower LDLs and to clear arteries.
In fact, a study from New Mexico State University claims that
eating ¾ of a cup of pecans every day can significantly lower
your LDLs. However, it’s important to remember that like many
things in life, consuming nuts is all about moderation. While
they are absolutely jam-packed with healthy nutrients, many varieties
of nuts also have high amounts of calories and fats. That’s
why they’re great as part of a larger meal, where you can mix
healthy proteins with less heavy items like fruits and veggies.
While nuts are great for a quick snack, you can also use them
within larger recipes to pack in nutrients. For a delicious summer
meals that will please everyone at your backyard pool
party, follow this recipe for pesto shrimp salad stuffed avocados,
generously provided to us by Meghan Malloy, author of the
popular lifestyle blog Travel Eat Love (www.traveleatlove.com).
A great summer meal that utilizes nuts and vegetables, your
guests will love these easy snacks on hot summer days.
