Nuts make an amazing snack and I really love them. I could eat them all day. My problem though is that they are addictive. Someone told me they are high in fat and calories so I started to worry about the amount of oil I take in when eating them. I didn’t want to stop eating them based on hearsay. So I did some research on it and here is what I found.
First, is that nuts contain mono and polyunsaturated oils which aren’t harmful but because the fats are in large amounts, nuts must be eaten in moderation alongside other foods.
Eating nuts with their skin has great benefits including getting nutrients like magnesium, calcium, potassium and fiber. Almond skin for example has flavonoids, which is known for protecting the heart.
Another little but key fact is that boiled or roasted nuts are healthier than fried nuts because they contain less extra fat and salt and are known to enhance antioxidants. I ate some boiled groundnuts in Kakamega last year and I can attest that they were tasty as they had been boiled in their shells with a little salt.
The other thing is that each nut type has their own a special benefits. For example, pistachios are the only nuts with lutein and zeaxanthin, which are antioxidants that are helpful in protecting the eyes.
Finally, is that most nuts contain resveratrol which is a fat soluble chemical that has been found to have antioxidant, anti-cancer and reduces the risk of getting heart disease as well as reducing the risk of getting strokes.
With this findings, its plain to see that being a nut lover poses no health risk as long as the nuts are taken in moderation. Instead of snacking on crisps and other junk, get a handful of nuts of your choice and snack the healthy way. Remember to take eat the nuts with the skin if you can. They will do your body some good.