Take the Nut Challenge

Do you know about the health benefits found in almonds, cashews, chestnuts, hazelnuts, macadamias, peanuts, pecans, pistachios and walnuts? Nuts are packed with B-vitamins, calcium, fiber, minerals, protein and vitamin E. Nuts can be added to muffins, salads, casseroles and other dishes or eaten alone.

Almonds – A lady-sized handful of almonds contains approximately 75 milligrams of calcium, 4 grams of fiber, 5 grams of protein, 6.7 milligrams vitamin E, along with B-vitamins, iron, zinc, folic acid and selenium for only 150 calories. Almonds are a great source for folic acid for expectant moms. Phytochemicals are also found in almonds, which are believed to protect the body against cardiovascular disease and cancer.

Dr. Gary Beecher with the USDA, while discussing the health benefits of almonds stated, "I have never seen this diversity of phytochemicals in a single food source."
Dr. Gene Spiller, Health Research and Studies Center, proved in a clinical study that almonds had a positive effect on cholesterol levels.

Chestnuts – The nut made famous by the Christmas song is very good for you. Chestnuts are packed with B-complex vitamins, calcium, fiber, folic acid, iron, magnesium, niacin, oleic acid, palmitoleic acid, potassium, protein, phyto-nutrients, protein, riboflavin, thiamin, vitamin C and zinc. Chestnuts are an excellent food source for people on gluten sensitive diets.

Fiber removes excess cholesterol from the intestines.
Vitamin C is essential for the formation of blood vessels, bones and teeth., offers protection from free radicals and assists the immune system.
Folic acid helps with DNA synthesis and protects against neural tube defects in unborn children.
Oleic acid and palmitoleic acid lowers the bad LDL cholesterol and improves levels of the good HDL cholesterol.

The Nut Challenge:

First: Research the available online nutritional information for your favorite nut.
Second: Add one serving of nuts to your diet each day for 5 days each week from now until your next physical.

I believe that you will be pleased with the new healthier you!

*Image courtesy Flickr creative commons.

More about chestnut, almonds, peanuts, pecans, pistachios, cashews, hazelnuts, challenge, vegan, Carolyn

Akanksha
August 9, 2012, 11:22 am
Great info Carolyn!
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1. Carolyn
  August 9, 2012, 1:06 pm
  Thanks Akanksha!
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kristo
August 9, 2012, 1:35 pm
this is so useful!! voted number three :)
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1. Carolyn
  August 9, 2012, 4:45 pm
  Thanks for the vote Kristo! Glad to have you back! Maybe you can tell us about the food on your travels.
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Sheila Ray
August 9, 2012, 1:53 pm
Voted - nuts are so good for you! I eat them every day!
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1. Carolyn
  August 9, 2012, 4:45 pm
  Thanks Sheila!
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Jalenagraham
August 9, 2012, 2:01 pm
Lovin' the almonds. Need to try some chestnuts - The only time I've had them is during a Christmas event in our town where someone was roasting them.
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1. Carolyn
  August 9, 2012, 4:46 pm
  I just chose two types of nuts to write about...most all nuts are good for you.
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Jalenagraham
August 9, 2012, 2:01 pm
Lovin' the almonds. Need to try some chestnuts - The only time I've had them is during a Christmas event in our town where someone was roasting them.
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1. Carolyn
  August 9, 2012, 4:46 pm
  Thanks for the vote and comment!
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Jalenagraham
August 9, 2012, 2:02 pm
Lovin' the almonds. Need to try some chestnuts - The only time I've had them is during a Christmas event in our town where someone was roasting them.
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dianabart
August 9, 2012, 2:31 pm
I'm nuts for nuts! One of my major source of protein, since everyone is worried about "how I get my protien!" ;-) Great blog.. voted and liked.. -thanks for sharing on our page! :-D
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1. Akanksha
  August 9, 2012, 2:37 pm
  Even I am crazy about peanuts and hazelnut is my favorite coffee flavor :)
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  1. dianabart
    August 9, 2012, 3:08 pm
    ohh.. yes, I used to LOVE Hazelnut coffee flavor.. till I realized that coffee was giving me bladder infections. :-( just another thing I had to 'stop' indulging in!' After fully fasting coffee out of my system, I now have a cup or two - two to three times a week.. like every two days.. seems to keep a good- healthy balance! When I have to much I suffer bladder infections, but when I have it balanced out it gives me more focus and enlightened my brain! ;-)
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    1. Carolyn
      August 9, 2012, 4:49 pm
      Similar to chocolate....a little bit of dark chocolate is good for us!
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  2. Carolyn
    August 9, 2012, 4:51 pm
    Love flavored coffee!
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  3. Carolyn
    August 9, 2012, 4:51 pm
    Love flavored coffee!
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  4. Carolyn
    August 9, 2012, 4:51 pm
    Love flavored coffee!
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2. Carolyn
  August 9, 2012, 4:47 pm
  LOL and thanks!
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3. Carolyn
  August 9, 2012, 4:47 pm
  LOL and thanks for allowing me to share my articles on you fb page!
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Roopam
August 9, 2012, 3:05 pm
Great post Carolyn...nuts are a good source of proteins and vitamins....good for long term health and vitality...voted!
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1. Carolyn
  August 9, 2012, 4:50 pm
  Thanks Roopam!
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Veganara
August 9, 2012, 4:25 pm
Vote no 9. Great blog. I loved this, as I am nuts about nuts! (It must be true that you are what you eat, LOL!) The only problem with them is they are high in fat (but then, we vegans don't get fat from meat and dairy sources, do we? So I suppose it kind of balances out, unless you eat a vat of peanut butter every day!)
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1. Carolyn
  August 9, 2012, 4:51 pm
  Veganara, I do not think that you are nuts...but I do think that you can be a lot of fun! Too bad that you do not live in the U.S. A. where we could hang out sometime. Thanks for the vote and comment.
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  1. Veganara
    August 9, 2012, 5:00 pm
    Thanks Carolyn! Yep, I have thought that as well, that it's a shame I don't live in the U.S.A, it would be good to meet some of you fellow-bloggers! I'll let you know if I am over there some time.
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