Healthy Nutty Snacks

When I was still in the Philippines, I always had peanuts for my snacks. I love them and besides being very cheap for my pocket, they're everywhere. It's the only kind of nuts that are abundantly produced by the local farmers back there. I was just amazed to see so many types of nuts in the store here in America and all of a sudden, I started to dislike them. I have to force myself to eat them because my husband always shares the trail mix that he usually makes for himself. Sometimes I like them and sometimes I don't. But generally speaking, they are not on my list.

But here are few of the amazing facts that I read: The fats in some nuts are largely "good" fats. Nuts also provide vitamins, minerals and other nutrients that our body needs. Adding 1.5 ounces of certain nuts a day to a low-cholesterol diet may reduce the risk of heart disease.

To name a few, here is the following list you can try:

Pistachios - I have never pay attention to this small nuts. I tried it during my first year here in the US but I never realize how good these nuts are for the eyes. This will not bring back my 20/20 vision but at least my eyes get the nutrients they need.

Pistachios rank high in lutein which is considered a vision-friendly nutrient.

Walnuts - I really don't like these nuts for a snack. I don't like the fatty taste but I love to make it part of my baking ingredients.

Walnuts are rich in an omega-3 fatty acid (ALA), which can reduce inflammation that can damage arteries. ALA can also raise good cholesterol (HDL), while lowering the bad (LDL).

Almonds - I don't care too much about this nuts. These nuts are popularly mixed in chocolate candy bars which my sweet tooth always loves. I first tried almond nuts in Hershey Chocolate. It was so yummy but yet I did not develop a certain craving for these nuts.

But look what Almonds have. These nuts contain fiber (which make them filling) and vitamin E which is a very antioxidant that may play a role in reducing the risk of some diseases.

Hazelnuts - Honestly, I haven't tried these nuts yet. I really want to try this kind since it contains a lot of nutrients that are good for our body. I know that they are available in any market but I just don't want to try them.

Hazelnuts provide folate, potassium, calcium and magnesium. Intake of these nutrients may be an effective prevention against, cancer, depression and hypertension.

Pecans - These nuts are just too fatty for me and I don't really eat them raw. However, I love these in green salads and pastries.

Pecan nuts supply phytosterols. This type of plant chemicals help lower cholesterol level in our body.

There are still several nuts that I have not listed here. I am sure that they all have good things to offer our body.

Reading Source: Top Health, May 2009
Pictures: from Google