Nuts are the most popular healthy go-to snacks. You can never go wrong picking a pack at the supermarket because you know automatically that it is the way to healthy snacking.
Nuts in variety are excellent sources of fiber and protein and has lots of other health benefits. This bite-size nutritional powerhouses are also packed with healthy fats, vitamins, and minerals.
Here are the top 5 healthy nuts that you may easily slip into your diet.
Almonds
Almonds are high in healthy monounsaturated fats, fiber, protein and various important nutrients. It is also an excellent source of antioxidants, which help protect against oxidative stress, which can damage molecules in your cells and contribute to inflammation, aging and diseases like cancer. Almonds are also high in vitamin E, magnesium, and can lower cholesterol levels. They can also promote weight loss.
Walnuts
Walnuts contain the essential fatty acids omega-3 and 6 that may help improve memory and cognitive function. They’re also a great source of biotin, or vitamin B7, which is thought to help hair and nails grow stronger and longer, as well as prevent hair loss. Consuming walnuts helps the skin look younger and healthier due to the powerful antioxidant, vitamin E. Two to three servings of walnuts a day may decrease cholesterol levels enough to lower the risk of coronary heart disease.
Pistachios
Pistachios are one of the lowest calorie nuts. In comparison, one ounce of macadamia nuts contains 204 calories, one ounce of pecans contains 196 calories while the same one ounce of pistachios contains just 159 calories. The antioxidants lutein and zeaxanthin are essential for eye health and pistachios are a rich source of both of these substances. Pistachios are also high in protein, beneficial for weight loss and may improve heart health.
Cashews
Cashews are rich in heart-healthy fatty acids. Consumption of the monounsaturated fats in cashews is associated with decreased risk of cardiovascular disease. They are protein rich and can boost your immune system because cashews are a great source of zinc. It contains no cholesterol and an excellent source of antioxidants as well.
Macadamia Nuts
Macadamia nuts are high in healthy fats and they lower heart disease risk. They are rich in nutrients and beneficial plant compounds which are linked to several benefits, including improved digestion, heart health, weight management, and blood sugar control. They’re loaded with antioxidant and have other potential benefits like providing anticancer properties and boosting brain health.
Some would say that nuts are overrated but that is because they should be. These full-packed snacks are very convenient and can be consumed at any given time. And that is why nuts are always a favorite by many.
