Nuts are an excellent source of protein, minerals such as magnesium and zinc, and heart healthy monounsaturated fats. Nuts also have Vitamin E, folic acid, fiber, antioxidants and contain cholesterol-lowering compounds called plant sterols. Eating nuts daily has been shown to support heart and brain health as well as reduce the risk of death from cancer, heart disease, and respiratory diseases.
Ways to add nuts to your diet:
- Use as a topping.
- Sprinkle almonds on top of yogurt.
- Use nuts to replace croutons on salads or soups.
- Sprinkle pine nuts on pasta. (Go for lentil or chickpea pasta!)
- Add slivered almonds to chicken salad.
- Eat raw as a snack.
- Crush and use in place of breadcrumbs for coating meat.
- Make a cashew cream sauce in place of “alfredo” or other cream sauces.
- Make a homemade trail mix.
- Make nut balls for on-the-go snacks.
- Opt for an unsweetened nut yogurt to replace dairy yogurt.
- Add a serving of nuts to a smoothie.
- Experiment with almond flour when baking.
What is your favorite way to enjoy nuts? And remember, unfortunately, peanuts aren’t nuts.
