Squirrels consume the berries, seeds, mushrooms, flowers, and nuts they find in the wilderness. Nuts are particularly beneficial because of the nutrients they provide and the healthy fats within them that work to lower cholesterol. Eat like a squirrel and, enjoy more nuts on a regular basis, and discover the benefits they provide to your brain and body.
Nuts contain more nutrients than people realize. While many individuals believe you need to get your calcium and Vitamin D from dairy products, you can actually obtain them from nuts and other foods. Some think you need to eat leafy greens to get your fiber and antioxidants, but nuts provide these as well. Nuts offer omega-3 fatty acids, calcium, antioxidants, protein, Vitamin E, magnesium, Vitamin B6, and more.
Some nuts are more worthwhile than others. Almonds are a top favorite due to their amount of protein and Vitamin E. Pistachios, walnuts, cashews, pecans, and macadamia nuts are also solid contenders for the healthiest choices. Brazil nuts have tons of selenium, while hazelnuts contain lots of manganese. Peanuts have one of the highest protein counts.
Although macadamia nuts and pecans are healthy, they are not usually the first recommended due to their high calorie and fat content. However, they can still be consumed in moderation (no more than a handful per day) and offer important nutrients. If you're only getting your macadamia nuts in a single cookie or your pecans in a piece of pie, you're probably not overdoing it -- unless you eat the whole batch or the whole pie.
When you eat nuts, you gain numerous health benefits. Nuts have a significant impact on many health issues, from cardiovascular disease to diabetes and beyond.
Your brain can benefit from increased nut intake. All nuts have the ability to increase blood flow to the brain and improve memory. They’re particularly useful for verbal memory. Walnuts and cashews are especially beneficial in this regard due to their high levels of omega-3s.
Anyone looking to reduce their risk of heart disease should consume more nuts. Walnuts, almonds, and macadamia nuts are particularly heart-healthy. Since heart disease is a leading cause of death, everyone should be on the lookout for ways to enhance their cardiovascular well-being. Nuts offer vital nutrients that work to lower cholesterol, improve the health of all arteries, and reduce inflammation. This reduces the risk of blood clots and stroke. The omega-3 fatty acids, unsaturated fats, fiber, and plant sterols found in nuts work together to make this all possible.
Bone health also benefits from increased consumption of nuts. Some nuts, such as almonds, are a good source of calcium. Calcium is necessary in the diet to prevent bone loss and osteoporosis.
Nuts tend to have a low glycemic index and low carb count that won’t spike sugar levels in people with diabetes. Because they help lower cholesterol and reduce the risk of heart disease, they are also ideal for anyone battling diabetes. Just a few servings per week of only one ounce at a time can make a huge difference.
Individuals struggling with weight loss can also benefit from increased nut consumption. A handful of nuts are high in protein, and healthy fats, such as peanuts or almonds, can help you feel full when you need a snack. It&rsquo's a great way to get a pick-me-up without reaching for an unhealthy alternative. Just be sure you’re finding unsalted versions and nuts without added sugar. A spoonful of peanut butter is worthwhile when you need a quick snack.
Reduce the inflammation in your body by eating more nuts. The alpha-linolenic acid and Vitamin E in some nuts, particularly walnuts and almonds, are beneficial for ridding the body of inflammation and, therefore, discomfort.
Nuts are even useful for improving mental health. Your stress levels can benefit from nut intake. For starters, a healthy diet, in general, tends to have an impact on mood. Put nutritious foods into your body, and you’re likely to feel better overall. Due to the phytochemicals and antioxidant properties found in nuts, a handful of the snack has an even better chance at helping your body metabolize cortisol -- the stress hormone -- and regulating your stress levels. Chew some cashews or pistachios when you want to de-stress.
Nuts can safely be consumed by most adults. However, anyone with a nut allergy should avoid them. Doctors used to advise waiting to give children peanut butter until they were a year old. However, parents are now encouraged to introduce all foods, except honey, from an early age. Once they can start eating solids around six months, they can try nut butters. Nuts and seeds should not be introduced until your child has teeth to chew them well; they can be a choking hazard. If you do offer them, they should be finely chopped and not whole.
This applies as long as the child has no other allergies and does not deal with eczema. You may want to let your child try it and wait a while to be sure there is no reaction. If there is, take them to the emergency room for immediate assistance.
You may also need to watch how you consume nuts if you have dental issues. Many nuts are hard to chew. Soaking them first or processing them into smaller pieces may be necessary.
Most dietary plans allow nuts. They offer healthy fats and nutritional value that are worthwhile. Nuts and seeds are an integral component of the vegitarian diet, vegan diet and paleo diet. The DASH, Mediterranean, and raw food diets allow them as well. You can even enjoy them on the keto diet, though you’ll have to carefully measure out your portion.
Nuts can be consumed in numerous ways. You can always eat them as-is, simply enjoying them as a healthy snack. Or you can cook them in a stir-fry along with a protein and veggies for a boost in nutrition. They also work well in smoothies, salads, and homemade nut butters.
There’s a reason that Scrat the squirrel tries to keep his acorn safe throughout the Ice Age movies. Not only is there a lack of food in the snowy mountains, but acorns, also known as oak nuts, pack lots of nutrition. Like all nuts, acorns provide protein, healthy fats, calcium, magnesium, and other vital nutrients.
Did you know that humans can eat acorns, too? Just be sure you’re double-boiling them to remove the tannins. Tannins have the power to block our body’s ability to absorb vital nutrients and can be toxic if consumed in large quantities. You can’t just grab an acorn off a tree like a squirrel can. But you can boil a pot of acorns in water, dump out the brown water it leaves behind, and then boil it again (and perhaps again) to ensure safe consumption. You must boil them until the water left behind is no longer brown. Simply roast them with seasonings for a snack or grind them into acorn flour to use in recipes.
Nuts make a wonderful addition to most meal plans because they are so beneficial to your brain and body. Getting more nutritious foods in your diet is just one way to improve your well-being. Combine it with routine chiropractic care and you have an even better chance of enhancing your overall wellness.
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