HEALTHY EATING

I Could Tell a few Jokes about Peanuts, but You Might go out and Spread Them. So, how about a Few Cracks about Pistachios?

Nuts are like tiny powerhouses of nutrition, packed with healthy fats, vitamins, and minerals.

By Mark Zuleger-Thyss

Nuts and seeds offer more than just protein and delicious toppings for salads. Here is one nut – the pistachio - just for fun!

Protein is one of the three macronutrients—along with carbs and fat—and comes from animal and plant foods. When you eat protein, it’s broken down into amino acids in your body. 

There are two main types of amino acids: non-essential, which your body makes on its own, and essential, which you must get from the food you eat.

You should get between 10% and 35% of your daily calories from protein, depending on your age, sex, and kidney health. Including enough protein in your daily meals can help you feel full, keep your blood sugar more stable, and maintain your lean body mass, but that’s not all.

Protein plays a role in building muscle and providing structure to hair, skin, and bones, transporting oxygen throughout the body, hormone balance, and supporting body processes, including digestion.

One great way to ensure you’re eating enough protein and other nutrients is to include a variety of nuts and seeds in your meals. Nuts and seeds are packed with a variety of micronutrients, including antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals, which play various roles in supporting overall health, from supporting the immune system to skin health.

Nuts are a great way to add crunch and texture to salads and other dishes. A handful of nuts a day can keep heart disease and diabetes at bay.

If you’re ready to increase your protein intake and take advantage of all the health benefits of nuts and seeds, let’s start with the pistachio, the little green nut that really packs a punch!

Pistachios - The Healthy, Happy Nut

This little green gem has many health benefits, plus pistachios are a delight to your taste buds!

My experience with pistachio nuts was confined to holiday visits at my Nana's house, and I got the impression they were savored for special occasions. They were the kind of treat I'd secretly snatch and run into the next room to devour, thinking they were so special - and almost taboo to gobble up in handful after handful.

But, once older and wiser, I learned they are the perfect snack to satisfy a little craving during the day. Pistachios are low in calories and are the ideal addition to spice up a dish.

Recommended by the World Health Organization for their many benefits, pistachios are your allies. One serving contains about 6 grams of protein per ounce (28 grams), according to the USDA.

Proteins are essential to the body in the same way as carbohydrates and lipids. They play a structural role (at the muscular or cutaneous level). Still, they are also involved in many processes, such as the immune response (antibodies), the transport of oxygen in the body (hemoglobin), or even the digestion (digestive enzymes).

Their superpower is this unforeseen benefit - they're great for eye health. Pistachios contain high levels of antioxidants that protect against macular degeneration and the harmful effects of blue light on the eyes. They also contribute to good cardiovascular health.

Pistachios are the perfect snack – small, portable, and packed with protein!

Follow Nature...

Wherever She may lead You 

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