Feast logo

Aww Nuts

The super food you should have added to your diet yesterday

By Sara WilsonPublished 3 years ago 7 min read
Like

Has anyone ever told you how great nuts are for you? No? Me neither! All I have ever heard is how fatty they are and how you "need to be careful" consuming them because they have so many calories.

A few days ago, I was eating some pistachios. I looked down at the bag and started reading about the nutrition facts. At the top, there was a label that said:

"The Fit Nut- Fuel your fitness with The Fit Nut. Known for protein and fiber, Wonderful Pistachios are a smart snack. They're perfect for before or after a workout. So push your health to new heights with this tasty little powerhouse of heart-healthy goodness. "

My husband and I have both always worked out and tried to eat healthy for the most part, but recently we have both completely switched up our eating habits. On one of our lasts trips to the grocery store, we bought a lot of healthy foods such as yogurt, nuts, granola, fruits, and vegetables. We focused more on bottled water and tea over soda and I bought more fresh ingredients to cook with rather than opting for semi-home made things.

As I said above, I try and eat only a very few nuts here and there but tend to stay pretty clear of them because as someone who has suffered from an eating disorder, the feeling of "full" has always been a bad thing to me. Nuts are one of those things that give me the "full feeling" and make me feel super guilty. Add to that what I have been told about how fatty they are and how many calories they have, and I'm really just feeling like I'm setting myself up for failure.

Well after reading that on the back of the pistachio bag, I decided to look up other nuts. My favorite nut used to be the macadamia nut. Those ones I have steered more clear of than any other nut because of how "fatty" I have been told they are. "Oh those are SO bad for you!" is the only thing I have ever heard about them. I have never ever heard of a single health benefit of a macadamia nut... until a few days ago.

They actually have so many health benefits! I was surprised. It's true, they are fatty.. but they are full of monounsaturated fats. This type of fat can potentially boost your heart health and lower your bad cholesterol levels!

So I present to you, my newfound knowledge of five of my favorite nuts!

1. Macadamia Nuts-

These are low in sugar and carbs and have a pretty good amount of fiber in them. They can be a good snack for diabetics because they aren't likely to spike your blood sugar levels. They're full of antioxidants and can help prevent conditions like diabetes, heart disease, and even Alzheimer's. They can actually help with weight loss. You remember when I said that I don't like that full feeling I get when I eat nuts? That's actually a good thing! Nuts are made to give you the feeling of being full. These nuts also contain Omega-7 which can help prevent you gaining weight. It's also believed that they can help you live longer!

2. Pistachios-

These tasty nut is currently my favorite and are said to improve cholesterol levels. Eating them can help increase your "good" cholesterol. They can also improve heart disease risk factors like your blood pressure and weight. They're believed to even help reduce the rise in blood sugar after eating. They're low in calories but high in protein, in fact, they contain less calories than any other nut. Pistachios also contain more lutein and zeaxanthin than any other nut. Those are antioxidants that are great for eye health. They can even help prevent your eyes from damage caused by blue light or aging. They promote healthy bacteria in the gut and are high in fiber. They are great for your blood vessel health because of the L-Arginine they contain. They can help manage your blood sugar and are freaking delicious.

3. Cashews-

These can help improve your blood pressure and prevent heart disease. They can help your body absorb vitamins A, D, and K and produce fatty acids that are important for blood clotting and brain development. They are known for boosting your immune system because they have a good amount of zinc in them, which can be especially beneficial to you if you're pregnant. They can reduce your risk of diabetes and anemia because they have no sugar or harmful cholesterol and are full of iron. They can also help reduce or break down gallstones. Cashews have phosphorus, which is necessary for the development of teeth and bones. They also have magnesium and help promote the formation of red blood cells. They contain copper which is great for your skin and hair health. Glowing skin and shiny hair for the win!

4. Brazil Nuts-

I absolutely love these, but these ones are a nut you actually do have to be careful with while consuming (which I didn't know). Brazil nuts are rich with Selenium. That is a mineral that acts like an antioxidant. Selenium is great, but you only need a very small amount. Let's talk about the good things first. the selenium inside of the brazil nut really speeds up the cell turnover process which produces a nice natural glow of the skin. they also have Vitamin E which can help prevent skin cancer. They can help clear up and prevent acne because they have zinc. Zinc helps reduce redness and promote collagen production while flushing out the toxins in your body. It can help with aging skin if made into an oil. Rubbing a bit on your skin before bed can help produce collagen leaving you with smooth, firm skin. Who doesn't want that? You can also use that same oil for preventing or treating skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis! They can help your hair grow and prevent breakage. The thiamin in a brazil nut keeps your nervous system healthy. It can help ease things like stress, migraines, depression, and anxiety. They also regulate the thyroid hormone. So many people these days have all of these conditions and typically reach for a topical cream or pill to fix it. Why not reach for a handful of brazil nuts a day instead? And that's ALL you need. A handful. More than that can actually be detrimental. They can cause an upset stomach and hypertension (if you buy them salted). You can also get selenium poisoning. It's really important to consume in moderation on these. This was really interesting to me because whenever I buy a jar of mixed nuts, I notice that there are hardly ANY brazil nuts. I probably notice because they ARE one of my favorites. I always chalked it off to them being cheap, but maybe they were actually being cautious.

5. Peanuts-

Who doesn't love peanuts? They're literally in so many things. Peanut butter. Ice cream, Candy. Trail mix. Everything. Peanuts have been said to be associated with a lower death rate. Like a lot of other nuts, they improve heart disease risks. Something I found really interesting is that asthma and allergies in kids who had mothers that ate peanuts or peanut butter while pregnant were significantly lower than those who didn't. Also, they contain folate which is also beneficial to a babies growth while in the womb. They are known to prevent things like diabetes, gallstones, and cancer. They can actually stop a tumor from growing! They contain vitamin B3 which can help improve your brains function and boost your memory and help improve your blood flow to the brain by at least 30 percent. Peanuts can help fight depression because they contain serotonin. They can help with weight loss! Just make sure you're not purchasing them covered in salt and sugar. To reap the benefits of this super nut, you need them plain and unsalted. They are also a great source of biotin which is beneficial for scalp and hair health and even hair growth. They also contain vitamin C which helps you produce collagen and I-arginine and Omega-3's which can all prevent hair loss! All those creams and pills for hair growth and loss... when you could just be eating peanuts. Amazing.

If I wrote out a detailed piece on all the nuts in the world, you would be here all day. So I'm gonna stop at five. However, if any of this has interested you, I highly suggest looking up more information for yourself. So many other nuts are really beneficial and so healthy for you! Walnuts are so good for your brain (fun fact: foods that resemble part of the body tend to be really beneficial for that part of the body!) Almonds are great for weight loss and lowering blood sugar. The benefits of nuts are truly amazing!

So the next time you're snacking on nuts and someone tries to tell you how fatty they are or how you shouldn't be eating them, just tell them that they're nuts!

healthy
Like

About the Creator

Sara Wilson

Lover of the strange and unusual. I write mostly horror or true crime. I occasionally publish other things, but try not to write only for the sake of having content. Feedback is always welcome and appreciated!

Reader insights

Be the first to share your insights about this piece.

How does it work?

Add your insights

Comments

There are no comments for this story

Be the first to respond and start the conversation.

Sign in to comment

    Find us on social media

    Miscellaneous links

    • Explore
    • Contact
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms of Use
    • Support

    © 2024 Creatd, Inc. All Rights Reserved.