This Tuesday, October 22nd, the online calendar, Days Of The Year, highlights NUTS – which are one of my favorite DAILY food categories.
National Nut Day reminds me why I so enjoy nuts, particularly walnuts and almonds, such that I occasionally over-eat them.
(A FEW pistachios, pecans and cashews also are thrown into my daily NUT mix.)
Mini-grabs of NUTS a few times a day – mainly walnut pieces with a few raisins as sweetener – keep hunger at bay and contribute to feeling sanctimonious about ingesting their health benefits. Add a couple teaspoons of creamy almond butter atop sprouted grain English muffins and one could almost call me a “Nutty” Personal Trainer.
However, it is important to keep a running mental calculator which says DO NOT EXCEED AN OUNCE AND A HALF of NUTS A DAY since the total can add up to nearly 300 daily calories.
It helps that well-chewed NUTS are my primary healthy fat source, except for a few drops of olive oil and an avocado slice or two with meals.
The internet tells us that NUTS serve as a nutrient-dense Snack – packed with good-for-us fats, fiber, protein, vitamins, and minerals. Here’s a breakdown of the nutritional benefits for walnuts and almonds.
WALNUTS
- Omega-3 fatty acids: Essential for brain health.
- Antioxidants: Help protect cells from damage.
- Fiber: Promotes digestive health.
- Melatonin: May improve sleep quality.
ALMONDS
- Protein: A great source of plant-based protein.
- Fiber: Aids in digestion.
- Vitamin E: An antioxidant that supports skin health.
- Magnesium: Important for muscle and nerve function.
How grateful we are that Nature Provides and Modern Agriculture Harvests and Transports wonderful modest-cost NUTS, which are so essential for our nutritional well-being. WF!
