Once a diet no-no, nuts are in again

[Elmore Furth]

Carnival in Rio isn't the only reason to enjoy Brazil nuts.

(Health.com) -- High in fat and calories, nuts were a dieting no-no during the low-fat era. Now these nutrient-packed powerhouses are making a comeback as a top heart-healthy snack...are naturally low in sodium, contain no trans fats or cholesterol, and are a good source of fiber and protein...

Nuts are rich in good fats like omega-6 fatty acids (walnuts are also rich in heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids) and monounsaturated fatty acids, both of which have been found to improve cardiovascular health by lowering LDL or bad cholesterol. (And don't be afraid of the 'F' word -- a recent Spanish study found participants who ate nuts at least twice a week were more than 30 percent less likely to gain weight than those who almost never ate nuts.)

Besides healthy fats, nuts (especially walnuts, pecans, and chestnuts, according to one Norwegian study ) are loaded with powerful antioxidants, which may contribute to their cardio-protective effects by slowing the development of atherosclerosis.

They are also full of essential B vitamins and minerals, including magnesium, calcium, and potassium, which are all important for regulating blood pressure and have been associated with a lower risk of stroke. Selenium and vitamin E, which function together as a potent antioxidant, are both found in nuts, especially Brazil nuts and almonds.



Once a diet no-no, nuts are in again

[timeforpeace]

1. Excellent. I can go back to gorging on Corn-Nuts.

[tabatha]

2. You have the wrong nuts.

Corn should be avoided at all costs, and corn-nuts do not have the nutrition of almonds, walnuts, etc.

[timeforpeace]

3. How about Chock-Full-O-Nuts?

[trotsky]

10. Don't worry, Circus Peanuts are still OK. n/t

[Name removed]

11. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[kestrel91316]

4. I snack on LOCAL nuts as part of my weight management plan.

California walnuts and almonds, of course. I need to see if we grow pecans here, too, since they are one of my faves.

Do macadamia nuts count as local? Hawaii isn't all THAT far......

[tridim]

5. Been eating a handful of almonds a day for years.

Still trim. :)

[sandnsea]

6. One small handful ONLY

Believe me, they can pack the weight on faster than anything else if you snack on them like popcorn. I have to take off ten pounds because I let these little suckers tempt me, and then start on the 30 lbs I had left to go before my 3 month nutfest.

[Warpy]

7. I ignored the stupid advice to avoid them

because a few nuts would satisfy me for hours while fruit or any other low fat alternative would leave me still hungry.

Diet fads are silly. I agree with Pollan: eat food, not too much, mostly plants. I'd add cooking it yourself so you know what's in it. There's too much salt, sugar, and other stuff in processed food.

[Rhiannon12866]

8. Love Brazil nuts...

And I've read that pistachios are also good for you, another favorite of mine, prefer nuts to candy, any day. :9

[elocs]

9. I have walnuts and almonds in my oatmeal every morning.

Along with raisins, strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, and mango. Instead of using water to make my oatmeal I use fresh apple juice. It's a tasty and healthy breakfast.

[BuddhaGirl]

12. they never were a no-no

for those who always were aware of their nutritional benefit :-)