Keep Calm and Go Nuts
I often tell my friends to keep calm and go nuts. They think I'm nuts because I chose to go on a plant-based diet which included going nutty on nuts. I'm happy I did that, and that was 45 years ago without regret. Incidentally, that bit about keeping calm wasn't something I made up. During World War II, the British government produced motivational posters - "Keep Calm and Carry On" It intended to raise the morale of the British public when Germany at the time threatened mass air attacks on their cities.
So whenever you feel the need for something to cheer you up, keep calm and go nuts on nuts. I love eating nuts. You see - nuts are known to make you happy. And did you know that it only takes as little as 30 grams of raw nuts to make you happy?
By eating just a small handful of nuts such as almonds, walnuts, Brazil nuts, hazelnuts, pecan nuts, cashew nuts or pistachio nuts every day will not only keep your belly full but at the same time, all these nuts will also help you fight belly fat. Now, what could be better than that? Maybe a few more nuts then.
Nuts can also boost the production of serotonin - a hormone that promotes happiness, curbs appetite and improves the health of your heart. Eating nuts as part of your daily diet will help reduce the risk of a heart attack and or heart disease by up to 30 per cent. And a regular habit of snacking on nuts will also ensure that your mind stays sharp well into old age.
Vitamin E found in nuts helps ward off Alzheimer's disease. If you are an older person and you have a high level of anti-ageing vitamin E in your blood, you'll be half as likely to develop Alzheimer's as those who have very little. So now you know - go nuts for nuts and stay happy and healthy.
Mixed Nuts
Go Nuts - The Fat Factor
While nuts may be high in fats, they are also high in nutrients. Typically, a one-third cup of nuts contains anywhere from 20 to 25 grams of fat and 240 to 300 hundred calories. Unfortunately, most of us shun nuts just because they're high in calories. The trick to eating nuts is not overdoing it but fit them wisely into a healthy eating plan along with a healthy portion of whole grains, legumes, fruits and vegetables.
One great thing about nuts is that they contain several compounds that help keep your arteries open and your blood flowing smoothly. Eating nuts a couple of times a week will reduce your chance of being that much closer to the departure lounge from artery clogged heart disease by up to 25 per cent. And eating nuts five or more times per week will slash that risk in half.
It just goes to show that though nuts are oozing in oil, they can de-fat your arteries. With a few exceptions, most nuts are high in monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats. When these types of fats replace saturated fats in your diet, they can help lower your total cholesterol as well as the unhealthy low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol. And at the same time, nuts don't affect levels of the high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, the heart-healthy one. So now we know - Going nuts on nuts is a good thing, a happy thing and a healthy thing. You can't go wrong with that.
Macadamia Nuts
Go Nuts on Walnuts
Walnuts have got to be one of the best health nuts you could ever wish to eat. For one, they are incredibly high in omega-three and omega-six fatty acids, which are great in helping to prevent type II diabetes. It is well-known that there is a unique link between eating walnuts and avoiding diabetes. These nuts are so abundant in the good fats that they will help lower cholesterol levels, and they can also help prevent blood clotting.
Walnuts also have a combination of more healthy antioxidants as well as a higher quality of antioxidants than any other nuts. So much so that just a hand full of them contains twice as many antioxidants as the same amount of most other nuts. Walnuts also packed a punch with health-giving fibre, vitamin A, C and E. The next time you pop down to your local supermarket or health store, add some walnuts to your shopping cart.
You can enjoy snacking on them as they are or you can sprinkle them on your breakfast cereal, lunchtime salad or perhaps in low-fat yoghurt.
Walnuts
Go Nuts on Almonds
I'm placing almonds in a photo finish with walnuts as one of the healthiest nuts you should be consuming regularly. And that's because there are so many health benefits to eating almonds. Just be aware that raw almonds are a much better option for you than the roasted or salted varieties. Here are just some of the truly amazing power of raw almonds.
Apart from resolving complications related to diabetes, anaemia, heart conditions, respiratory disorders, constipation and the common cold, almonds are also suitable for maintaining healthy skin and hair.
Almonds are also good for your brain because they contain riboflavin and L-carnitine, two nutrients known to increase brain activity. Almonds are good for cholesterol too, as they help reduce low-density lipoproteins (LDL) the bad cholesterol. At the same time, they help increase the level of high-density lipoproteins (HDL) the good cholesterol. Now that cannot be so bad for you - only good for you.
Almonds, as well as almond oil, contain some of the best ingredients for helping you maintain a healthy nervous system. Almonds are a great source of vitamins, minerals and the chemical element phosphorus, being that it's known for its strength and durability for bones and teeth as well as helping in the prevention of osteoporosis.
Almonds are also good for your heart, as an anti-inflammatory agent, for the prevention of cancer and a healthy immune system. So you have everything to gain and nothing to lose - except perhaps for the fact that almonds are a healthy substitute for weight loss.
Almonds and Almond Milk
Go Nuts on Pistachio
Pistachio Nuts are an excellent addition to a healthy eating plan. They are rich in potassium, which helps regulate your body's fluid balance. And they are rich in phosphorus, which helps build bones and teeth. They also help enhance energy levels. Just remember that nuts do contain some level of fat, so don't go too nuts on nuts. Only eat a small portion of nuts like pistachios daily.
Pistachio Nuts
Go Nuts on Brazil Nuts
Brazil Nuts make a delightful and tasty snack, and they are also rich in the mineral selenium. Increasing the amount of selenium in your diet could drastically reduce your risk of bladder cancer. Your body uses selenium to make selenoproteins, the antioxidants that help prevent disease.
Brazil Nuts
Go Nuts on Cashew
There are several reasons why you should add Cashew Nuts to your shopping cart. You can count on cashews as these tree nuts are high in protein, are packed with nutrients and have zero cholesterol. Just half a cup of cashews contains 10 grams of protein. Women need 46 grams of protein a day and men need 56 grams. Because cashews contain healthy unsaturated fats, eating them will help your body absorb fat-soluble nutrients such as vitamin A, D, E and K, all of which are all essential for healthy bones, teeth and skin.
With this in mind, there's no need to go overboard with cashew nuts unless you need to gain an extra few pounds. A 100-gram serving contains around 2,400 kilojoules. Three servings a week is more than enough to get all the health benefits of this tasty nut. Opt for raw cashews than the roasted and salted variety.
Cashew Nuts
Go Nuts on Pecan
Pecan Nuts are rich in tocopherols, a class of organic chemical compounds, more commonly called vitamin E. As an antioxidant, vitamin E is a fat-soluble vitamin that plays an essential role in maintaining healthy cells and thus a healthy body. Pecan nuts are well-known to have various health benefits, including a decreased risk of prostate and breast cancer. Now I know this may sound a bit crazy, but I'm sure you've all noticed that when you cut an apple or an avocado in half and left uncovered, it soon turns brown. So what's this got to do with pecan nuts.
Well, this process of adding oxygen to a substance - is called oxidation. And when this happens to fats in the bloodstream, it contributes to the risk of heart disease. Pecan nuts are excellent protectors against this process, and that's why you should eat them. Studies have shown that four weeks of eating a handful of pecan nuts daily, will reduce lipid (fat) oxidation by more than seven per cent. Pecan nuts are a real hidden gem few of us are aware. I suggest adding some to your shopping list today.
Pecan Nuts
Love Travel Eat Right - Disclaimer
Please take note that the information on this site is designed for educational purposes and is intended solely for a general readership. The contents herein are not intended to offer any personal medical advice or to diagnose any health issues you may have. This information is also by no means a substitute for medical care by a licensed healthcare provider. For that, you'd need to consult your medical doctor or a health care practitioner for any advice should you require prescription medication.
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