4 Reasons to Nibble
Nuts By Jordana Haspel
 Looking
for something to nosh on? Sure, you're drawn to Slim Jims and candy bars, but
resist. There's another option available anywhere from the most basic gas
station shop to the most upscale health food market, nuts, specifically,
unsalted or better yet unsalted raw nuts. They've gotten a bad rap in
the past because of their fat content, but more and more studies are
discovering that even their fat can be good for you.
How can fat be good? When it's unsaturated.
Saturated fat can raise your cholesterol, increasing your risk of heart attack
or stroke. On the other hand, unsaturated fat, including polyunsaturated and
monounsaturated fats, can actually lower your cholesterol—not the healthy
high-density lipoprotein (HDL), but the artery-clogging low-density
lipoprotein. In fact, eating 1.5 ounces of nuts, five days a week, has been
linked to a reduced risk of heart disease.
Here are some other nutty benefits:
 Protein. Nuts are high in protein, making them a
great pick-me-up between meals. Sure, a candy bar might boost your energy
because of all the sugar, but only very briefly, and then you're headed for a
crash. So grab some trail mix instead and you'll be good until your next
meal.
 Omega-3 fatty acids. Walnuts are a source of
omega-3s, which are usually found in fish. This nutrient helps fight heart
disease, and may also help fight inflammatory diseases like
arthritis.
 Antioxidants and phytochemicals. Nuts contain
antioxidants, which protect your body against cell damage. This may help
prevent cancer, diabetes, heart disease, and other ailments. Several nuts,
including almonds, hazelnuts, pecans, and Brazils, are good sources of the
antioxidants vitamin E and selenium.
 Weight loss. No, eating nuts won't make you
lose weight. But they can be an important part of an all-around healthy diet.
Remember, when you choose nuts, you're skipping that candy bar or those chips.
Nuts also have fiber, which helps you feel full so you won't need to eat as
much. But you don't want to overindulge on nuts eitherthey're pretty addicting.
So measure out the amount you want to eat instead of grabbing them straight
from the bag.
Want to learn more about these nuts?
Check
out this article on these nourishing niblets and other fat-fighting foods
or read how
your cells can be nourished by healthy unsaturated fats.
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