When unsalted and raw, nuts are one of the most nutritional snacks out there. Filled with protein and healthy essential fatty acids, they’re good for your heart and your waistline.
Here, our top five healthy (and yummy) nuts to snack on:
Almonds
One of the nuts with the lowest calorie content, almonds are good for lowering blood cholesterol levels and can help reduce the risk of heart attack. They are the only nut that’s alkaline-forming (alkalinity helps prevent weight gain and osteoporosis).
Thanks to their phosphorous content, these super nuts help build strong bones and teeth. Plus, they’re filled with riboflavin and L-carnitine which enhances brain activity.
Cashews
Though cashew nuts are higher in calories than many other nuts, they are filled with antioxidants, minerals and vitamins. They are rich in monounsaturated-fatty acids (the heart-friendly fats), which lowers bad cholesterol and increases good cholesterol.
Minerals manganese, potassium, copper, iron, magnesium, zinc and selenium all have a presence in the cashew, and vitamins B5, B-1 and B-6 are also found.
Pistachios
Sometimes difficult to open, but oh-so-delicious, pistachio nuts are filled with protein, fibre, vitamins and minerals.
They contain iron, which helps form red blood cells and prevents fatigue, as well as vitamin E which is essential in preventing cell damage. They are particularly known for reducing cholesterol and aiding heart health.
Walnuts
Recent scientific studies suggest that walnuts have higher levels of antioxidants than any other nut. In fact, they’re thought to contain almost double the amount of antioxidants we see in their peers.
Plus, they’re filled with fibre and free of dairy and gluten! Seven walnuts per day is all it takes to ensure you reap all the health benefits of this nutritious snack.
Peanuts
The most popular nut of all, the peanut, is extremely rich in energy. They contain essential amino acids, which are needed for growth and development, as well as the antioxidant resveratrol, which can help reduce the risk of strokes.
They also contain B-complex vitamins, which help brain health and blood flow to the brain. They are an excellent and affordable source of antioxidants, protein and vitamin E.
Other articles you may be interested in:
Healthy party snacks
Are we eating too much salt?
Top five fad diets
Good fats, bad fats
Glow with health
25 Responses
Almonds are my favourite!
I’ll definitely start including more nuts in my diet, they have so many benefits.
I love snacking on almonds – it is just a pity that they are quite pricy. It’s better buying them in the large packets and just chucking it in a lunch box so that you can grab a handful every day as something to snack on.
Interesting article, thank you! Not particularly mad about pistachios, but adore the rest!
Love me some nuts!
I love nuts, especially almonds and cashews.
I love nuts, they are my favourite snack.
I love cashews, not so much peanuts. Interesting information with regards to the nuts
My favourite guilt free snack!
Yummy!!