That's right it is the holiday season already. Seems like yesterday I was picking summer veggies from my dad's garden in my bathing suit. Now I am cyber shopping for x-mas gifts. Where does the time go?
Tis the season and around this time nuts become quite the popular fare at parties. Let me give you the low-down on some of you favorite crunchy snacks.
Not only are nuts tasty treats but they are packed full of protein, fiber and healthy fats. Almonds are high in vitamin B, riboflavin, vitamin E and magnesium. These little fruit help your body fight bacteria and prevent oxidation that can lead to heart disease.
Peanuts (which are actually legumes not nuts) are rich in folate (this helps produce new cells), oleic acid and resveratrol, which is the heart healthy antioxidant found in red wine and dark chocolate. if you boil raw peanuts in the shell you get more resveratrol.
Pistachios get their green hue from chlorophyll (the same compound that give leaves their colour), they are high in blood pressure-lowering potassium.
Hazelnuts (also called filberts) have a slightly bitter skin which is chock full of proanthocyanidins, these compounds may help strengthen blood vessels, reduce heart disease risk and boost brain power.
Pecans (my favorites) boast a high ORAC score (meaning they are very very high in antioxidants).
Walnuts deliver a significant amount of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), an omega-3 that boosts cognitive function and high in vitamin E.
So go ahead and reach for that bowl of nuts at the next party you attend. (but please remember even though they are healthy for you they do contain fats, healthy fats, but still fats...stick to eating a moderate amount.)
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