Toss toasted pecans into a salad instead of croutons. Add chopped walnuts to Saturday morning’s pancake mix. Swirl some peanut butter into the sauce of a vegetable stir-fry.
These simple steps to add nutty goodness elevate the flavors in a recipe and boost the nutrition in your dish.
Nuts get rave reviews from nutritionists like me primarily because of their healthy fat profile. Walnuts, almonds, pistachios and hazelnuts are rich in cholesterol-lowering monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats and contain lower amounts of cholesterol-raising saturated fats. (So do peanuts, which are technically legumes.)
And that’s not all. Nuts contain dietary fiber, plant-based protein, vitamin E and potassium, calcium and magnesium. Because they’re chock-full of these nutrients and the fats that support heart health, the US Food and Drug Administration allows packages of nuts to sport this qualified health claim: “Scientific evidence suggests, but does not prove, that eating 1.5 ounces per day of most nuts as part of a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol may reduce the risk of heart disease.” (While the government-speak wording seems a bit wishy-washy, the FDA claim is meant to encourage daily nut consumption to help prevent heart disease.)
“Nuts are nutrient-dense foods filled with healthy fats that are linked to optimal health, primarily heart health benefits,” said Sharon Palmer, a registered dietitian nutritionist and author of “The Plant-Powered Plan to Beat Diabetes.” “Eating just a handful of nuts a day lowers LDL (bad) cholesterol levels and benefits blood pressure and inflammation, which can lead to better heart health.”
How many nuts do you need to nosh to gain heart health benefits? One and half ounces equal about a handful. Since hand sizes vary, a more specific equivalent measurement is 1⁄3 cup. Just how many you count per serving depends on the nut. You’ll get more tiny pistachios than chunky walnut halves, for instance.
What about other nuts?
Haven’t seen your favorite nut named yet? When the FDA originally published the qualified health claim, several varieties of nuts including pecans, macadamias and cashews were omitted because of their slightly higher concentrations of saturated fats.
But further research determined that macadamia nuts are impressively high in monounsaturated fats so the FDA approved use of the health claim in 2017.
Pecans were added to the list, too.
What about cashews? Cashews have not been approved to use the FDA health claim — even though most of the saturated fat in cashews is from stearic acid, a fatty acid thought to have no effect on blood cholesterol, and studies have shown that eating cashews can even lower levels of harmful LDL cholesterol.
More good news for nuts
The evidence that nuts are a healthful choice just keeps piling up. The terrific trio of protein, fiber and healthy fats in nuts adds satiety to meals and snacks and helps you feel fuller longer.
They’re considered a tasty tool for weight management, with studies showing that people who include nuts in their meal patterns tend to weigh less.
“There are even benefits for potential diabetes prevention, cancer protection and brain health with nut consumption,” Palmer said. “Some nuts have been linked to gut health, improved fertility and reduced risk of Alzheimer’s disease.”
In the health and beauty category, research shows that nutrients in almonds, such as vitamin E, selenium and zinc, support skin health by reducing facial wrinkles and improving skin tone.
Handful, not a can-full
No matter how inspired you get to sprinkle more nuts into your food life, note that current advice recommends a handful, not a full can. Nuts are high in fat content, so they’re also high in calories.
And to reap the most benefits, it’s key to make eating nuts a habit over the long haul. “Many healthy eating patterns, such as the renowned Mediterranean diet, include nuts on a regular basis in the diet,’’ Palmer said. “These have been important parts of cultural diets since the beginning of time.”
