Are you nuts for nuts? Then you’re in luck! Nuts have many nutritional benefits, making them a great addition to a healthy diet. If you’re worried about gaining weight from the fat content in nuts, a new report published last week by the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition will help ease your mind. The report reviews 31 different studies and found that people can add nuts into their diets without gaining weight. In fact, the study shows that people who added nuts to their diets and people who replaced other foods with nuts lost an average 1.4 pounds more than those who didn’t eat any nuts at all. The nut-eaters studied also reduced their waist sizes by more than half an inch.
Nuts – and of course nut butters – contain protein, calcium, potassium, essential fatty acids, fiber, and phytosterols. They are also rich in vitamins E, B6, folate, thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, pantothenic acid, selenium, iron, zinc, and magnesium. Studies have shown that heath benefits from nuts include stress reduction, protection against certain cancers, a lower risk of heart disease and improved brain health. A lower risk of diabetes and high blood pressure has also been seen in people who added nuts to their diets. The fiber, protein and unsaturated fats in nuts has also been known to suppress hunger.
What a great incentive for cooking from Robin Robertson’s newest book Nut Butter Universe! Just a small amount of nut butter can add great texture and flavor to your meals, and Robin has you covered with recipes for breakfast, lunch, dinner, dessert and even snacks. Here are just a few of Robin’s mouth-watering recipes, all enriched by delicious nut and seed butters: Artichoke Walnut Butter Bisque, Roasted Tahini Cauliflower, Roasted Niçoise Salad with Cashew Goddess Dressing, Grilled Vegetables with Almond Romesco Sauce, Penne Primavera with Avocado Cashew Cream, Ginger-Walnut Scones, Chocolate Macadamia Truffles, and many more.
Nut Butter Universe is available from Amazon, Barnes and Noble and your local independent bookstore.
Eating nuts as part of a healthy diet can be good for your heart. Nuts, which contain unsaturated fatty acids and other nutrients, are a great snack food, too.