Nuts are a really healthy and delicious snack. Nuts are packed with good for you fats that your body needs, not to mention they are so good! I used to only eat almonds, but then I decided, I needed to mix it up! Almonds are really good for you, but I found that so are most nuts and when all mixed up, they are even better! I like to use a variety of nuts, dried fruit, and dark chocolate to change it up all the time, so have fun with it and use whatever nuts you like!
Here are some facts from the Mayo Clinic about what nuts have in them that make them healthy!
- Unsaturated fats. It's not entirely clear why, but it's thought that the "good" fats in nuts — both monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats — lower bad cholesterol levels.
- Omega-3 fatty acids. Many nuts are also rich in omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3s are a healthy form of fatty acids that seem to help your heart by, among other things, preventing dangerous heart rhythms that can lead to heart attacks. Omega-3 fatty acids are also found in many kinds of fish, but nuts are one of the best plant-based sources of omega-3 fatty acids.
- Fiber. All nuts contain fiber, which helps lower your cholesterol. Fiber also makes you feel full, so you eat less. Fiber is also thought to play a role in preventing diabetes.
- Vitamin E. Vitamin E may help stop the development of plaques in your arteries, which can narrow them. Plaque development in your arteries can lead to chest pain, coronary artery disease or a heart attack.
- Plant sterols. Some nuts contain plant sterols, a substance that can help lower your cholesterol. Plant sterols are often added to products like margarine and orange juice for additional health benefits, but sterols occur naturally in nuts.
- L-arginine. Nuts are also a source of l-arginine, which is a substance that may help improve the health of your artery walls by making them more flexible and less prone to blood clots that can block blood flow.
Don't
forget even though nuts are healthy for you, they are only healthy in
moderation. When eating nut mixes, or nuts in general you shouldn't have
more then a handful, becuase it becomes too much of a good thing!
This particulur trail mix is:
Raw almonds
Raw walnuts
Pistachios (shelled)
Pepitas
Craisins
Dark chocolate covered edamame (Trader Joes; not too many of these just sprinkle a few in there for good measure!)
No comments:
Post a Comment