This is an easy tip and it can actually make you feel so much better that you might want to make it a daily habit. Eat a small handful of nuts or some seeds and enjoy all of the benefits of one of nature’s most healthy treats.
Although high in fat, nuts and seeds have a nutrition profile that is admirable. Loaded with various nutrients and antioxidants, they are convenient to eat and a little goes a long way. Studies have shown that nuts can help reduce bad cholesterol and even aid in weight loss. Other potential benefits include heart protection, reduced inflammation, and regulation of blood sugar.
Some people are allergic to nuts but can often tolerate seeds very well. As always, do what is best for you.
Action – There are a wide variety of nuts and seeds available, and it is good to try many of them because they all vary in the benefits they offer. Almonds, pecans, walnuts, cashews, and Brazil nuts are common and most people can find one or two that they enjoy. Sunflower and pumpkin seeds are powerhouses of the seed world and can be eaten alone or sprinkled on top of different foods.
Due to their high fat content, nuts and seeds should be enjoyed in moderation. It is also more nutritious to enjoy them in as natural a state as possible without added salt or processing.
Steps – Sprinkle walnuts on oatmeal, sunflower seeds on a salad, pecans on a bowl of fruit salad, and spread almond butter on toast. There are so many different ways to include nuts and seeds in the daily diet that you should have no problem getting enough of them regularly. A handful of nuts eaten as a snack will help make you feel full and less likely to overeat, thus aiding in weight loss.
Replacing regular flour with almond flour when baking things like muffins or cookies can also be a healthy way to get all of the benefits without losing any of the good taste.
Why It Makes You Feel Better – Just a handful of nuts and seeds is packed full of vitamins, minerals and fats, all of which affect your heart, your brain and your waistline in a good way. By including just one ounce a day, you can diminish inflammation and add fibre, protein and minerals that enhance the immune system and provide healthy fats to assist multiple body functions.
By turning to nuts and seeds and replacing something in your diet that is devoid of nutrition, like sugar-packed snacks or fat bombs like potato chips, you can enjoy both the taste and the nutrition they provide your body. It’s a win-win situation.
Example – The convenience of nuts and seeds as a portable snack is my favourite aspect of them. When I go somewhere, all I need to do is throw some trail mix or even just a small bag of sunflower seeds to take with me. That way, my blood sugar won’t drop and I won’t be tempted to grab something that is less than healthy because I’m hungry.
Remember, these little powerhouses are full of good things and you don’t need to eat a lot to get the benefits. An ounce a day is more than enough to give your body what it needs while eating something truly enjoyable.