Many of the items that are considered to be nuts in common English parlance are actually not. But the ‘false’ members of this family, as well as the true ones, can be quite beneficial to your health. Unfortunately, they are often quite expensive, which means that eating them regularly can be taxing on the wallet. Buying bulk nuts can help reduce this cost.
Cashews and pistachios are seeds, as are almonds, pecans and walnuts. Peanuts are legumes, related more closely to beans. Hazelnuts and chestnuts are true nuts. But any of these can be a good addition to your diet, as long as you watch how many you eat. Most of these items are very high in calories because they are also very high in fat– but it’s the good kind of fat that you want to eat.
A nutrient fairly unique to this group of foods is omega-3 fatty acids. Though present in many types of fish, these items are one of the only ways to get them from plants. Unsaturated fats make up most of the rest of the fat present in these items, and both of these are good for your health. They can reduce cholesterol, improve heart health, and even reduce your risk of heart disease.
An essential nutrient, protein can be found in good quantities in nuts, as well as fiber, which promotes digestive health and helps to lower cholesterol. Antioxidants, vitamins and minerals needed for proper function can also be found. But these benefits are somewhat negated if you choose to eat your portion after it’s been roasted and salted. For health reasons, choose plain and unsalted.
Coconuts are sometimes considered a part of this family, and sometimes not. Either way, for health reasons don’t start eating coconut. High in saturated fats, both the oil and the meat of the coconut will not improve your health. Limit your intake of any kind of nut to a handful or an ounce a day, because they are all high in calories.
When many people go looking to add these foods to their diet, they are quite dismayed by the price tag. But if you plan to eat them regularly, buying bulk nuts (perhaps over the internet) is a great way to offset some of the cost. To preserve their nutrients, storing them in the freezer can be beneficial.