Go Nuts for Nuts!

I love nuts as a snack, baked in cakes, cookies, and breads, tossed in salads, toasted on anything and so much more! Nuts are such a healthy ingredient that can be thrown into just about anything! Knowing why and how nuts are good for you is important for a healthy lifestyle!

Consuming 1.5 ounces of unseasoned nuts a day as a part of a healthy diet can reduce the risk of heart disease. Many varieties can improve artery linings and lower LDL cholesterol, and are loaded with healthy fats and other healthy nutrients!

Almonds
Almonds are the nuts that I eat the most. I love to toast them and top a salad or oatmeal with them, add them to a smoothie or just eat a handful for a snack! There are about 20-24 almonds per ounce with about 160 calories for every ounce. They can help improve skin complexion and skin quality!

Brazil Nuts
I don't eat a lot of these nuts, but they are common in a lot of mix-nut blends you can buy, so I've had them that way. There are 6-8 nuts per ounce with about 190 calories per ounce. Brazil nuts are a great source of selenium, which can help prevent breast cancer and prostate cancer!

Cashews
I love cashews! They are one of my favorite nuts because they are so creamy and flavorful! There are 16-18 nuts per ounce with about 160 calories per ounce. Cashews are a good source of magnesium which helps to regulate muscle tone and nerves.

Chestnuts
Chestnuts roasting by an open fire..... These nuts aren't just for Christmas time! There are 3 chestnuts per ounce with 70 calories per ounce. They are the only 'nut' to contain vitamin C!

Hazelnuts
Hazelnuts are one of the ingredients in the popular hazelnut/chocolate spread we all know and love. All the more reason to gorge on it right? No, all in moderation! There are 18-20 hazelnuts per ounce with 180 calories per ounce. They are a great nut for hair and nut growth.

Macadamia
I've only had these nuts a few times, but they are delicious! Per ounce there are 10-12 nuts and 200 calories. These nuts are great to speed up fat metabolism.

Peanuts
Peanut butter, peanut butter cookies, peanut sauce, there are almost endless ways to enjoy peanuts! There are 28 peanuts per ounce with 170 calories. They surpass many fruits in there level of antioxidants.

Pecans
I love pecans in pie, in oatmeal, in cookies, on salads, in cinnamon rolls, monkey bread...oh man, now I'm hungry! Per ounce there are about 18-20 pecans and 200 calories. They may help lower high blood pressure.

Pine Nuts
These little nuts are great so many ways. You can make awesome crust for desserts, toss on a salad or enjoy by themselves! Per ounce there are about 150-170 nuts with 160 calories. They are great to promote eye health.

Pistachios
These little green nuts are a great snack but they are also a great way to add flavor and color to breads, cakes, granola and cookies! Per ounce there are about 45-49 nuts and 160 calories. They are high in fiber, almost as much as a 1/2 cup of oats!

Walnuts
I love walnuts( I feel like I've said that a lot in this post!) on or in just about anything! Per ounce there are about 14 nuts and 190 calories. They are great to hydrate the skin because they have high levels of omega-3 fatty acids.

Well, I hope you know a bit more about the food we eat and why its are good for you. Adding nuts, all of them or just a few, is a great way to have a healthy diet! Let me know how you enjoy nuts, and which ones are your favorite! Also, please share this blog with a friend!

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Keep healthy and Safe!
H. Banana