If your energy flags during the day, you get food cravings, or if you find that you simply don’t always have time to eat – I suggest you go nuts!
Nuts and seeds have so much to offer us nutritionally but are often overlooked, sometimes because of their high fat content. Yes, they are high in fat, but it is a healthy fat, monounsaturated, just like olive oil. Since fat is high in calories, you can’t get away with eating handfuls and handfuls, but you don’t really need to because they are very filling. So what do they have to offer?
Many nuts, such as brazils, cashews, macadamia and walnuts are high in magnesium, which is important for energy release and nutrient absorption. Pine nuts, cashews and pumpkin seeds are high in zinc which helps build your immune system and heal wounds. Walnuts and sunflower seeds are high in B-vitamins, and the antioxidant Vitamin E that keeps your skin healthy. Almonds have iron, calcium and potassium to offer. Brazil nuts are high in selenium, another antioxidant that is key in keeping skin and hair healthy.
Nuts and seeds also have loads of fibre, which is good for digestion and helps protect against bowel cancer.
So, enjoy them as a snack, or sprinkle them on your salads for a big nutritional boost.