In A Nut Shell

Walnut fans rejoice! Walnuts are “Food of the Week”

Walnuts, thanks to all walnut-y natural and nutritional goodness, have been picked as the “Food of the Week” at the World’s Healthiest Foods website. Prized for their texture and flavor, walnuts are also an example of how nuts are good for you and your diet.

Walnuts and health

Walnuts are a key source of the fatty acids classified as “omega-3s.” The omega-3 fatty acids in walnuts help the body to fight arthritis and inflammation. Walnut omega-3s also help prevent cardiovascular disease and soothe balky joints. In an eight-week study of walnuts in the human diet, Spanish researchers found that four weeks of eating walnuts in partial replacement of olives, olive oil and other monounsaturated fats was enough to reduce subject cholesterol by 4.4 to 7.4%. Walnut consumption also increased arterial elasticity of the subjects by approximately 64%.

Walnuts have also been associated with lowered risk of gallstones, improved bone health, better attention spans in ADHD-afflicted children and, thanks to the melatonin in walnuts, more restful sleep.

Get some walnuts for the holidays!

Whether mixed with an entree, tossed with a salad or baked into breads and pastries, eating walnuts is a seasonal way to maintain your health and wellness. Mix walnuts with roasted pecans, peanuts and chestnuts for a tasty bowl of mixed nuts that pack a potent antioxidant punch. Walnuts contain more than 20 mmol of antioxidants per 100 grams.

Whether your preference is the stronger-flavored black walnuts or standard walnut halves and walnut pieces, walnuts from Stanley Nuts are a tasty way to eat your way to better health. Buy nuts online to replace those greasy snacks with some tasty walnuts and stay heart-healthy!

I know what you’re thinking, but I’m serious. People often ask “are nuts good for you”. Well, the short answer is yes. Nuts, in combination with a helthy diet, can be very good for you. In fact, nuts can be downright healthy.

What’s So Good For You About Nuts?

Nuts are good for you because they are full of essential nutrients, some of which you can’t get anywhere else.

Nuts contain the following essential nutrients:

• Linoleic and linolenic acids: vital for growth of healthy skin and hair, beneficial for blood pressure control, improve immune response and assists with blood clotting
• Monounsaturated fats: raise high density lipoprotein, or “good cholesterol” level
• Vitamin E: an antioxidant

Nuts also contain:

• Protein
• Dietary fiber
• Magnesium
• Copper
• Phosphorus
• Potassium
• Selenium
• Folate

Nuts and heart disease

Many health studies have associated nuts with a decreased risk of heart disease. In fact, nuts have been shown to decrease the risk of heart disease from 30-50 percent.

Nuts that protect against heart disease

Walnuts, almonds, hazelnuts and macadamia nuts have all been associated with a decreased risk of heart disease. Nuts help protect against heart disease by lowering “bad cholesterol” levels. Also, nuts contain the antioxidant Vitamin E, which can help reduce the risk of heart disease.

Nuts and High Blood Pressure

Nuts may also help control high blood pressure. There have been studies that recommend nuts be added to your diet to help control high blood pressure and hypertension.

Nuts and Health Concerns

Some people are concerned that eating nuts on a regular basis could lead to weight gain or even obesity. In fact, the in some studies, when subjects ate an increased amount of nuts they tended to feel more full, decreasing their intake of other foods. Additionally, the high fiber contained in nuts helps inhibit absorption of some of the fats from the nuts.

Nuts are Good for You

As we said before, “nuts are good for you”, but you only when added to a balanced diet and eaten in moderation. So, how do you decide when and how much to eat? Here are a few tips for eating a moderate amount of nuts.

Nuts and Nutrition: Tips

• Reduce portion sizes when eating nuts
• Chop or slice nuts
• Eat roasted nuts
• Substitute nuts for, or reduce portion of another food item
• Combine nuts with other ingredients, such as a snack mix
• Count nuts as part of your meat group, which also includes poultry, beef, fish, dry beans and eggs. A third cup of nuts equals an ounce of meat

Nutritious Nuts at StanleyNuts.com

Whether you want to order nuts as a gift, to add to your diet as a nutritional snack or just because they taste great, you can find what you want at StanleyNuts.com. We carry all popular types of shelled nuts and in shell nuts, including pecans, peanuts, pistachios and walnuts. We also carry mixed nuts, snack mixes and dried fruit.

At StanleyNuts.com, only the best nuts survive our rigorous selection process. Unlike many of the nuts you can purchase at a retail outlet, our nuts are still fresh, healthy and nutritious when they reach your hands . . . because “nuts are good for you”!