Nuts are good for you (unless you have a nut allergy that is!). They are full of good fat and nutrients and are great as healthy snacks.
There are lots of different types of nuts – so which ones are really best for you? That’s a tough question to answer, and here’s why: different nuts have different nutritional values, so eating a variety of them is a good idea to get the most benefits. It’s like vegetables (or any other type of food for that matter) – there’s really no one vegetable that is best for you – variety is important.
That said, here are five of the healthiest nuts for boosting your mental and physical health, to get you started on your ‘nut journey’:
1. Almonds
Almonds are one of the most nutrient dense nuts around. They are high in calcium (highest in any tree nut, in fact), zinc and vitamin E.
According to a recent study, almonds are also great for improving fertility in men.
2. Peanuts
Peanuts are the most common nuts – and they aren’t just good for elephants (!). They are rich in fiber (important for digestion), protein and plant sterols (helps with lowering cholesterol).
Great for munching on when you get peckish.
3. Pecans
Pecans are mostly known for one thing – pecan pies (yum!), but they are also good as healthy snacks. They are one of the best sources of beta-sitosterol – a naturally occurring compound that helps lower cholesterol.
Pecans also contain phenolic compounds which are good for our digestion.
They are also rich in antioxidants which makes them a great post-workout snack.
4. Pistachios
Pistachios have long been famous for their use in Middle Eastern desserts (baklava or halwa anyone?), but these green nuts are rich in good nutrients which make them great snacks.
Pistachios are fiber and antioxidant-rich. They also contain lutein and zeaxanthin which, along with being responsible for their vibrant colors, have also been linked with beneficial impacts on the health of our eyes, heart, and skin.
5. Walnuts
When you think of strange-looking nuts, which nuts do you think about? For me it’s walnuts. But aside from their strange appearance, they are actually full of good stuff that benefits us.
Walnuts have been found to have a positive impact on the health of our brain, and according to this latest study, they also help lower the rate of depression.
Last words
Nuts are great for you – they, nearly all of them, are full of nutrients and good fat, which helps both your physical health and your mental health.
If you needed some more encouragement to eat more nuts, here you have it 🙂
Which nut is your favourite?
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Let us know in the comments what you think and if you have any additional tips.
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