In the English language, the term 'nut' is used to describe many food items that are not technically such as defined by botanists. But most of these items are very beneficial to your health, despite being quite high in calories. Purchasing bulk nuts can help offset the cost of these wonderful, if expensive foods.
Many of the items commonly referred to as nuts are actually seeds, such as cashews and pistachios, pecans, almonds, and walnuts. Peanuts are a type of legume, part of the bean family. Hazelnuts and chestnuts actually deserve their name. All of these can be great additions to your diet, though, if you can manage to stop at a reasonable number. An ounce of cashews can have 190 calories, so it's important to eat them in moderation.
Most commonly incorporated into the diet via fish, omega-3 fatty acids are important to heart health. Rarely found in plant foods, this group is one of the few exceptions to that rule, and can be a great source of this vital nutrient. They are also high in unsaturated fats, and together, these nutrients have been shown to lower LDL cholesterol and improve heart health.
Fiber, which also reduces cholesterol, and protein, an essential nutrient, are present in nuts, as well. Essential vitamins and minerals, as well as antioxidants can be gotten from a serving of most any nut, too. But avoid the roasted, salted kind-- this greatly reduces their nutritional benefit. Choose unsalted, plain ones instead.
While only considered a member of the group by some people, avoid coconuts if you are looking to improve your diet. The meat and oil of these items are quite high in saturated fats, which are the type you should be trying to avoid. And it's important to limit your daily intake of any kind of nut to an ounce or a handful, because they are all quite calorically dense.
Unfortunately for people looking to eat them, this group of foods is fairly universally expensive. If you plan to eat them regularly, that expense can really add up. Buying in bulk often saves money, and many have a fairly long shelf life. To preserve their nutrients, you can keep them in the freezer. The internet is a great source of bulk nuts.
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