avatarSufyan Maan, M.Eng

Summary

The article outlines the health benefits of consuming five specific nuts—almonds, walnuts, pistachios, Brazil nuts, and macadamia nuts—as part of a daily diet, emphasizing their nutritional value and potential health advantages.

Abstract

The author shares their personal journey with nuts, tracing back to their childhood in a remote village where nuts were considered a luxury. Upon moving to Canada, the author discovered that nuts could be purchased affordably in bulk, particularly from Costco. The article details the nutritional profiles of five types of nuts, highlighting their rich content of healthy fats, protein, fiber, antioxidants, and various vitamins and minerals. Each nut is discussed in terms of its specific health benefits, such as almonds' high vitamin E content, walnuts' omega-3 fatty acids, pistachios' complete protein profile, Brazil nuts' selenium content, and macadamia nuts' monounsaturated fats. The author recommends incorporating these nuts into daily meals, such as cereal, and suggests using organic honey like Manuka as a sweetener. The article concludes by encouraging readers to include nuts in their diets for overall health and immune support.

Opinions

  • The author believes that nuts are a sustainable and enjoyable way to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
  • They advocate for the purchase of nuts in bulk from Costco as a cost-effective strategy.
  • The author expresses a strong preference for nuts as a snack, valuing their taste and health benefits.
  • They suggest that adding nuts to one's diet can contribute to heart health, immune system support, and overall well-being.
  • The author endorses specific brands and products, such as Manuka honey, as complements to a nut-enriched diet.
  • They emphasize the importance of experiential learning and self-experimentation in developing healthy habits.
  • The author's opinions are informed by their own experiences and observations over 8+ years.

Nutritional Powerhouse — Here Are the 5 Must-Eat Nuts for Daily Health

My experiential journey and why I eat nuts.

Photo by Maddi Bazzocco on Unsplash

As you know, I am all about developing healthy and sustainable 30+ days habits to live more productive and fulfilling lives.

Life is short; if you don’t enjoy something, especially eating, make sure to find an alternative, and if you do a little research, there is a possibility to find a healthier choice.

I grew up in a small remote village, and nuts were used to consider king food. For example, almonds or pistachios used to think of a rich man’s food.

Costco

But when I moved to Canada, I observed that it’s not that expensive as long as you can find a balance and buy in bulk. I usually buy groceries from Costco and highly recommend it if you are a couple with kids.

Don’t worry about the Costco membership fee; you will save a lot in the long run. I not only save on my wallet but also time. I go to Costco biweekly or weekly to refill my fridge and freezer. Okay, back to nuts; here are the 5 nuts I consume almost daily.

Why nuts?

Nuts definitely have a variety of health benefits, and this is based on my experiential journey from the past 8+ years.

  • Helps to lower your risk of heart disease
  • Great source of protein
  • Helps to boost your immune system
  • Great source of fiber
  • healthy fats
  • antioxidants

Here are the 5 nuts I consume daily, which I highly suggest you add to your diet.

#5 — Almonds

I like almonds as a snack — they keep your energy up but don’t fill you up. — Ina Garter

Almonds are popular due to their delicious flavor, impressive nutrient profile, and low cost.

They can be eaten raw or roasted and are frequently processed into almond butter, flour, and milk. Here is the nutritional value of 28 grams or one oz serving size.

  • Calories: 170
  • Fat: 15g
  • Protein: 6g
  • Carbs: 6g
  • Fiber: 3g
  • Magnesium: 19% → DV
  • Manganese: 27% → DV

These nuts are exceptionally high in vitamin E, a fat-soluble nutrient that acts as an antioxidant to protect your cells from oxidative damage.

Almonds are a nutrient-dense food and may lower risk factors for heart disease.

#4 — Walnuts

One of the most powerful doses of antioxidants if you want to consume, then don’t miss supernut ‘Walnut’… # omega3 rich — Prafull Mittal

I must say, walnuts are the healthiest nuts.

They have the highest antioxidant content of any nut and also provide the most healthy type of fat, omega-3 fatty acids, which help prevent heart disease.

Walnuts also have iron, which helps red blood cells carry oxygen; selenium, which may help prevent cancer; calcium zinc, which helps the immune system; and vitamin E, which acts as an antioxidant. And some B vitamins.

Walnuts can help lower triglycerides (blood fat that raises your risk of heart disease) and protect your heart.

They’re also extremely beneficial to the brain — in fact, walnuts resemble the brain!

Walnuts have also been linked to a lower risk of colorectal cancer.

According to the latest research, walnuts improve the gut microbiome, which collects trillions of microbes or bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract and may be responsible for some health benefits.

#3 — Pistachio

Pistachio nuts, the red ones, cure any problem,. — Paula Danziger

Serving size: 1 oz or 28 grams

  • Calories: 159
  • Fat: 13 g
  • Protein: 6 g
  • Carbs: 8 g
  • Fiber: 3 g
  • Key micronutrients with their daily percentage values: Vitamin B6 (25%), Magnesium (8%), Iron (6%)

With their smooth texture and sweet flavor, pistachios are a crowd-pleaser, but they also come highly recommended by experts.

Pistachios are a “complete” plant-based protein source, which means they have “the full amino acid profile and supply 6 g of plant-based protein7 per serving,” according to Feller.

Pistachios are also high in fiber and healthy fats, making them a filling snack for when you’re on the go or need a quick energy boost.

#2 — Brazil nuts

Brazil nuts are high in selenium, a trace mineral vital for proper body function.

Brazil nuts are originating from a tree in the Amazon. These nuts are one of the richest food sources of the mineral selenium.

30g serving of Brazil nuts:

  • 4g protein
  • 21g fat
  • 5g saturated fat
  • 7g monounsaturated fat
  • 8g poly-unsaturated fat
  • 1g carbohydrates
  • 2g fibre
  • 51mg calcium
  • 123mg magnesium
  • 76mcg selenium

Selenium is a mineral that acts as an antioxidant, boosts immunity, and aids in wound healing.

You only need one to four Brazil nuts per day to get all of the selenium you need because we only need trace amounts of this mineral.

I consume a maximum of four Brazil nuts daily, and the best way is to add them to my morning cereal.

Brazil nuts, which also contain vitamin E and the polyphenols ellagic, help to boost our immune systems and regulate blood lipids.

#1 — Macadamia nuts

Macadamia nuts earn a distinction above other nuts and seeds because of their nutritional value. — Mark Sisson

Macadamia nuts used to have a bad reputation due to their high-fat content.

However, 80% of this fat is monounsaturated (the good kind of fat that is good for your heart).

Monounsaturated fat can help you lose weight and lower cholesterol, heart disease, and stroke risk.

Macadamia nuts have the most monounsaturated fat per serving of any nut. Macadamia nuts are high in calcium, magnesium, and potassium, all of which help prevent bone loss.

They’re also high in vitamin A, iron, protein, thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, and folate.

Macadamia nuts contain complex carbohydrates such as lignans, hemicellulose, amylopectins, and insoluble cellulose, aiding digestion and reducing hunger.

What is the best way to consume nuts?

I personally consume cereal each morning. For example, I love my oats, and in oats, I add 20 almonds, 4–5 pistachios, a couple of walnuts, four Brazil nuts, and a little macadamia nuts each morning.

I add a pinch of cinnamon powder and organic honey.

Suggestion:

Do not consume that little bottle/jar of honey from the supermarket. I recommend giving it a try. It’s called Menuka, from New Zealand, and one of the best honey in the market. It is a bit expensive, but in the long run, nothing is more expensive than your health. I buy from this dealer all the time. Here is the Amazon link if you would like to give it a try.

Manuka Honey, New Zeland

The bottom line

Nuts are high in nutrients like protein, fat, fiber, vitamins, and minerals.

They help reduce your risk of heart disease and support immune health when eaten as a nutrient-dense diet.

Nuts are versatile and delicious.

You can eat them on their own or with other healthy foods like fruits and vegetables.

Please let me know if you enjoy nuts and when is the best time to eat them.

As a new reader, please check my holistic health, productivity, and well-being stories reflecting my reviews, observations, and 30+ days of experiments (29 completed so far) to build a sustainable healthy lifestyle.

After doing 30+ days of challenges to living a healthy and productive life, I wrote my experiential journey. Here are the links for easy access.

3.78 liters of water per day, 20+ Squats per day, Reading, Coffee, Sugar, 2-minute plank, Push-ups, Walk, Long Walks, Power Nap, Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Shampoo, Cold Shower, 10,000 Steps, Skincare, Meditation, Mental Break, Sit-ups, Matcha, 2-Bananas, Tim Feriss’ Morning Routine, Floss, Lukewarm Lemon Water, Stretching

I also wrote about general life philosophy. Here are the links for easy access.

Mental Health/Brain Damage, Hiking, Cofee (New Research), Technology, Healthy Lifestyle, Life Lessons, Productivity, Learning, Money

Disclaimer: My posts do not include professional or health advice. I only document my reviews, observations, experiences, experiments, and perspectives to provide information to create awareness. This post may contain affiliate links.

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