Including nuts in your diet is not just delicious, but good for your body as well. In fact, the Harvard research department recently finished a study on the effects of eating two servings of nuts each day. At the end it was confirmed that regular consumption resulted in lowered chances of cancer, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease.
The Advantages of Peanuts: Why Not Other Nuts and Seeds?
Eating nuts or seeds will reap good health benefits. However, peanuts are a unique nut and not just because they are actually a legume. Peanuts are unique for the qualities they have, namely a mild flavor that can meld well within many different dishes. The versatility of peanuts is good news for your health.
Peanuts Are Considered a Great Snack For a Couple of Reasons.
Peanuts are a often touted as a convenient snack for a few reasons. One, a one ounce package of nuts is easy to carry in your bag and they are unlikely to get smashed in the way that a granola bar might. Secondly, the nutrient make-up of peanuts satisfies the requirements the average dietician sets forth.
A serving of peanuts contains nearly 2.5 grams of fiber and just over seven grams of protein while being low in carbohydrates. While many diet plans insist that snacking between meals is a bad idea, the truth is that many people find they could use a snack in the afternoon. A handful of peanuts is perfect because there is little mess and no preparation needed.
Here Are a Few Ways You Can Get More Peanuts In Your Diet.
So peanut benefits include decent nutrition per serving and portability. But what happens when you can’t stomach the idea of another snack bag of peanuts? Eating peanuts is not regulated to a handful of raw or roasted every day. The ubiquitous jar of peanut butter is of course another option, one that is beloved by kids and adults alike. Apparently it takes about 540 peanuts to create one 12- ounce jar of peanut butter according to the National Peanut Board.
There are many ways to include a serving in of peanuts in your diet so that you can reap the health benefits that don’t rely on a snack bag or a sandwich. Crushed peanuts are delicious on top of a salad, especially with cranberries in the mix. Peanuts can also be made into a dipping sauce for certain Asian-inspired dishes such as spring rolls.
Unrefined Peanut Oil Also Presents Several Health Benefits.
Not all oils are equal. The best oils for your health will be unrefined and with a good balance of different types of omega fatty acids. Unrefined peanut oil is often used for frying as it has a high smoke point, but it is great for other cooking methods too.
For those people who do have cholesterol issues unrefined peanut oil is cholesterol free. It also has plant sterols which are helpful when you are trying to lower your cholesterol levels. High levels of oleic acid also contribute to helping the body regulate cholesterol levels.
All diets need to practice moderation. Peanuts are great for one’s health, yet too many can cause problems. A reasonable amount is two ounces a day. There are many options available to get more peanuts into your day, from peanut oil to dipping sauces. This simple addition could improve your health in an easy, delicious way.
