Want to Lose Weight and Lower Cholesterol? Eat Nuts!
Photo: Getty Images
We’ve always heard that nuts are full of fat, but after several studies, researchers have discovered that adding a handful of these eight kinds of nuts to your daily diet will provide even a couch potato with the health benefits needed to lower cholesterol and lose weight.
The list below contains additional health benefits, as well as calorie and fat information per ounce from lowest to the highest.
1. Pistachios have been reported to have the highest level of LDL-lowering plant sterols. Researchers at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University found pistachios are a great source of potassium. (160 calories, 13 g fat)
2. Pine nuts are high in vitamin K and E, and they contain pinolenic acid, which is shown to curb appetites in women by increasing secretion of satiety hormones. However, Joel Fuhrman, M.D., reported on his website (see below), Mediterranean pine nuts are much lower in calories than other pine nuts. (160 calories, 13 g fat)
3. Almonds are high in vitamin E, protein, fiber, healthy monounsaturated fats, minerals and other nutrients. (160 calories, 14 g fat)
4. Peanuts are actually legumes, even though they have ‘nut’ in the name. Peanuts provide more protein (7 grams per serving) than true nuts do. They are good sources of vitamin E, niacin, folate and manganese. In addition, peanuts provide resveratrol, the phenolic antioxidant also found in red grapes and red wine. (170 calories, 14 g fat)
5. Hazelnuts are loaded with folate, a vitamin that protects against birth defects and possibly cancer and heart disease. (180 calories, 17 g fat)
6. Brazil nuts help with the body's thyroid hormones, which keep your body’s metabolism high. A high metabolism helps your body burn off additional fat during exercise. (185 calories, 18.8 g fat)
7. "Walnuts are the best kind of nut for heart-healthy antioxidants," according to a recent article in ScienceDaily. They are also known to prevent blood clots. "Walnuts are great because they have high levels of omega-3 fatty acids," American Dietetic Association spokeswoman Suzanne Farrell, M.S., R.D., said. "Other nuts don't." (190 calories, 18 g fat)
We value and respect the experiences of all of our HERWriters, but everyone is different. Many of our writers are speaking from personal experience, and what's worked for them may not work for you. Their articles are not a substitute for medical advice although we hope you can gain knowledge from their insight.
Add a CommentComments
There are no comments yet. Be the first one and get the conversation started!