Some people like them, some people LOVE them, but not everybody knows that much about nuts. Many everyday nuts actually possess some incredible nutritional benefits that you probably haven’t heard about. We’ve been doing some research and are pretty impressed by what nuts have to offer! They can have an amazing effect on your skin, hair, nails and overall health! There’s a lot of beauty to admire in a tiny little nut.
Normally packed with protein, fibre AND essential fats, nuts are one of this season’s best buys. In fact 30g of unsalted nuts is a sure fire way to get yourself a good vitality-boosting snack and, definitely unlike some other snacks we often find ourselves reaching for, contains a huge amount of essential vitamins and minerals.
We’ve put a few nuts in the spotlight (kind of like Big Brother…), so take a look and you might find yourself surprised at some of the information:
Almonds
Almonds are incredibly rich in calcium which makes them perfect for those people who are trying to reduce their dairy intake or who have cut it out all together. Calcium is essential to building strong and healthy bones so make sure that you are getting enough in which a little handful of almonds. What’s more, Almonds are also jam packed full of vitamin E, which can help to improve the condition and appearance of your skin. So you really are getting more beautiful as you eat! Try to find them with the skin on, because it’s full of heart-friendly flavonoids.
Brazil Nuts
Brazil nuts are a wondrous source of the mineral selenium which we need for our thyroids to operate properly. This means that brazil nuts are perfect for those with low thyroid function. Selenium also supports immunity and speeds up the healing process of wounds. We never said you can’t dip them in chocolate either… go ahead!
Cashews
Before I go on, can I just quickly suggest that you try honey roasted cashews if you haven’t before – they are DELICIOUS. These tiny little bundles of joy contribute high levels of protein and are also full of minerals like iron and zinc – both helping to boost your vitality. Beyond this, they really are wall to wall magnesium which is thought to improve your memory in older age. A staple part of any vegetarian’s diet, cashews are great in stir-frys and other Asian dishes!
Hazelnuts
Not only are they amazing when covered with chocolate, hazelnuts are actually really good for you too! I mean, it depends just how much cake you’re having them with, but Hazelnuts have high levels of homocysteine, an amino acid that has been associated with helping those with heart problems and conditions like parkinson’s.
Macadamias
They are rich in fibre and provide a good amount of magnesium, calcium AND potassium! Just a little warning, Macadamia nuts are also really high in fat so it’s best to moderate your consumption of them – but don’t be scared away – they are delicious and good for you!
Pistachios
Pistachios are insanely moreish – and we’re only going to make you want EVEN more of them. These nuts are rich in vitamin B6, which is important for keeping hormones healthy and balanced, making them especially useful for those who suffer from problem periods. They are also the only type of nut with lutein and zeaxanthin, two antioxidants that play an important role in maintaining strong vision.
BEFORE YOU PANIC, and write in about how nuts are normally relatively high in fat, TAKE A MOMENT to think about how the type of fat in nuts is actually healthy as they are so low in saturated fat.
