Chesnuts, walnuts, hazelnuts, pecans are always favorites at the holidays. Many of us think of nuts as high fat, high calorie food that should be avoided. Nuts, however, when eaten in moderation are actually good for you. Studies have shown that nuts can LDL (bad) cholesterol and your risk of heart diease. Nuts are high in monounstaturated and polyunsaturated fat. Diets rich in unsaturated fats have many health benefits. Nuts also contain protein, dietary fiber, and are rich in phytochemicals (that contain antioxidants).
So this holiday season indulge eating nuts by following these simple suggestions:
1. Eat no more than one ounce or a handful of nuts daily.
2. Carve a place for nuts by cutting back on meat, chees and other animal proteins.
3. Minimize you consumption of salted nuts if you have high blood pressure.
4. If you tend to overeat stick with unshelled nuts. The extra effort helps to discourage overeating.
5. Avoid nuts with sugary glaze or covered in chocolate. You will be packing on a lot of unneeded calories.
To have more fun with nuts at the holiday season consider roasting them with friends and family or purchasing a fun "nutcracker" for your holiday parties.
So this holiday season indulge eating nuts by following these simple suggestions:
1. Eat no more than one ounce or a handful of nuts daily.
2. Carve a place for nuts by cutting back on meat, chees and other animal proteins.
3. Minimize you consumption of salted nuts if you have high blood pressure.
4. If you tend to overeat stick with unshelled nuts. The extra effort helps to discourage overeating.
5. Avoid nuts with sugary glaze or covered in chocolate. You will be packing on a lot of unneeded calories.
To have more fun with nuts at the holiday season consider roasting them with friends and family or purchasing a fun "nutcracker" for your holiday parties.
