Thursday, June 4, 2009

Walnuts....your new healthy snack!

I remember the days when all of us were cutting fat out of our diet as a way to be healthy and lose weight. Turns out we were missing the value of some quality fats that actually contribute to our health. Nuts contain these healthy fats if consumed in moderation. Some more than otheres....Walnuts are one of my favorites! Here is the lowdown on tasty walnuts:

Walnuts are...

1. Loaded with a vegetarian source of Omega-3 fatty acids. Omega 3 fatty acids are protective fats that promote cardiovascular health, help maintain cognitive function, and tone down inflammation in the body.....I need to write an additional post on Omega 3's alone...they have numerous nutritional benefits! The more Omega 3's the better!

2. Provide heart healthy monounsaturated fats.

3. Contain ellagic acid, which is an antioxidant compound that helps support a healthy immune system.

4. Yield high levels of L-arginine....an essential amino acid which promotes healthy blood pressure.

You can add walnuts to your morning oatmeal, toss them into a cup of yogurt, or just grab a handful of (*non-roasted) walnuts and snack away!

*roasting nuts turns the healthy fats into non-healthy fats.

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