A Second Look at Nuts
Nuts are notorious for their high fat content, but they deserve a second look.
While they are high in fat, nuts contain mostly mono and polyunsaturated fats -- fats with a heart-friendly reputation.
One recent study showed that those who ate nuts five or more times a week (almonds, cashews, pistachios, walnuts or peanuts) were half as likely to have a heart attack or suffer from heart disease as people who rarely or never at nuts.
This protective effect may be attributed to the healthy fat profile of nuts, or it may be the vitamin E and fiber found in nuts, both of which can help stave off heart disease.
Substituting nuts for other snack foods proved beneficial in adults with high blood cholesterol: Their LDL cholesterol (bad) lowered.
There isn't much difference in fat content between raw and dry-roasted or oil roasted nuts, though oil-roasted ones do have more fat.
Of course, if you need to watch your salt intake, do choose unsalted nuts.
Nutrition Bonus:
Nuts are rich in protein and a host of other nutrients such as folate, phosphorus, magnesium, copper, zinc and selenium.
Another bonus: Nuts are so dense with nutrients they quell hunger pangs with fewer calories compared to other snack foods that provide calories but minimal nutrition.
See also, The Nut Case
Eat Peanuts! from our Sister Site, Fitness and Freebies.
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