Nuts?

Stephanie0523

Stephanie0523

Cathlete
OK. I keep hearing that nuts are SO good for you to snack on, but they are SO loaded with fat and calories. Do you guys snack on them? I have a great recipe for maple walnuts by Ellie Krieger, but I'm afraid that they will pack on the pounds.
 
I don't just keep them out in a dish to snack on, but I do eat them regularly. And if I need a quick snack for energy, that's what I go for. The way I look at it is, the fat is unsaturated and better for you than a cookie. Don't forget that they also have protein and other healthy nutrients. If you're really concerned, just eat walnuts and almonds, and steer clear of the really high-fat ones, like cashews.

IMHO, I think that sometimes we get too obsessed and fixated on just the fat and calorie thing. We forget that we actually do need some fat in our diet to be healthy. Nuts are a great way to get it.

Just don't eat the whole bag at once. :p
 
I eat nuts but in moderation for snack sometimes. I heard a small handful is the right amount.

I love cashews and walnuts. I guess I better start eating more Almonds. :)
 
I have a few almonds every day. The raw, unsalted kind. I do love cashews, but only usually have them around Christmas.
 
I have almonds (unsalted, please!)almost every day. One of my favorite snacks is an almond placed just-so on a prune (or "dried plum" as they have re-named them). LOVE THEM!!! (But it's very important that the almond is right in the indentation where the pit used to be...changes the flavor completely if it's not!!!}( ;) )
 
Oh, I thought you were going to ask us if we thought you were nuts.... to which I was going to emphatically reply "YES!!!!" ;)

But nevermind that... I do eat nuts! They are so yummy! Love me some almonds or cashews. :9 I don't eat very many at a time, but they are good for you in small amounts.
 
I think nuts are a much better source of healthy fats than are oils, so I balance things out by not using the latter, and I eat mainly raw, unsalted nuts (so I get just the nut oil and not added fat from any oil they were cooked in). I also sometimes germinate them (soak for 4-8 hours, depending on the nut, then let dry).

One of my favorite things to do recently is put a couple each of brazil nuts (for selenium), almonds, walnuts (for omega-3) and sometimes macademias or pecans, in a bowl that a hand-chopper fits in and chop them into small pieces, cut up some medjool dates (the best dates, IMO, much better than those mediocre deglat noor that you find in most stores), then pour my oatmeal or other whole-grain cooked cereal on top and mix up.

I consider nuts more as a part of a meal or 'food' than a 'snack.'
 
Cathe recently set me straight on my weight loss and let me know it wasn't enough to work out - apparently I need to eat clean as well. I was disappointed to say the least.

Now that said, I've done a TON of research and can say with some confidence that it's not only how much fat a food has, it's also what KIND of fats they are and how much protein and fiber a food has. Nuts contain heart healty unsaturated fats and consumed in the right quantities can improve overall heart health. THey are also low on the Glycemic INdex which means you will maintain a more even sugar level and will control hunger and food cravings.

1 oz of Peanuts (for example) are low on the Glycemic Index (<20 GI for a handful) they are 6 carbs, 14g fat / 2g sat fat and 2g fiber. Your body will separate the fiber, protein and fats out and digest fiber first so anything high in fiber will help with maintaining or losing weight (hence the reason whole fruit is better for you than fruit juice).

On that note, Soynuts are actually better for you with 5 g fiber, 7/1 fats and 9 carbs and pistacios and Almonds are close seconds.

I eat nuts everyday but never more than a handful as portion control was critical for me. I'm at 15 lbs lost with 10 more to go and I look and feel better than I ever have!
 
Allison--You ARE a nut!!:7 ;-)

I LOVE all nuts, but am not able to control myself around them like the rest of you seem to be able to do. So, now the only kind I buy are walnuts to put in my morning oatmeal. I am not tempted to snack on those babies.

Gin:)
 
Thanks guys! That article was very good too that someone ^^^ included. I am going to now take those Walnuts in my fridge and make the maple walnuts for DH, who needs to snack on them too. I bought some natural almonds (no salt) and won't feel bad eating them now, but I will miss the salt!!

And yes, Evily, I know I'm completely nuts!!! :)
 
Mmmmmmmm...I love nuts, all kinds. I buy the big bags from Sam's Club and have a good stock of walnuts, almonds, pecans, and pistachios. :9 And don't forget peanut butter!!! }(
 
I usually buy unsalted raw nuts. I was wondering, is there a difference between "raw" and "roasted" besides the taste.

Debbie
 
>I usually buy unsalted raw nuts. I was wondering, is there a
>difference between "raw" and "roasted" besides the taste.

Roasted nuts are harder to digest, because of the roasting process. Also, foods heated to a high temperature produce acrylamides, which are highly carcinogenic (though more a problem in high-starch foods like potato chips, cookies and french fries).

Raw nuts contain natural enzymes (that are destroyed by heat). If you germinate them (see above), antinutrients that can interfere with digestion are reduced or eliminated, the protein and fat 'predigests' somewhat, breaking down into amino acids and fatty acids that are easier for the body to assimilate).

Raw, soaked, dehydrated nuts are really crunchy, just like roast nuts.
 
Dr. Oz says roasting nuts takes away their really healthy properties. But I do plan on toasting the walnuts a bit for my recipe. And I always have to toast pine nuts before I use them in recipes. We love them, but I'm always afraid to use them because they are extremely fattening. I'll try not to be so strict anymore (but I'll not be overindulgent either).
 
I started eating nuts daily about ten years ago on the advice of a naturopath who was trying to figure out why I got really bad stomach aches. We discovered I had a wheat allergy. I lost a ton of weight without even trying (or really needing to for that matter). Now, ten years and two kids later, I am happier and healthier than ever....and I go through one of those big containers of nuts at Target a week, no actually it takes me less than a week!!! I would starve without them, due to the fact its hard to find easy, nutritious snacks that are wheat-free! Oh, and I'm smaller now than ever. So this is definetely an endorsement!

Aimee
 
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