Nuts For Health!

Are nuts and seeds part of your daily meals? Nuts and seeds are super healthy and most of us aren’t eating enough of them. They are a natural source of vitamins, minerals, protein, fat, flavonoids and fiber.

You may have read that he number one healthiest nut is either the almond or the walnut, but the “healthiest nut” is the one with the nutrients your body needs most on a given day. Of course no one knows which one that is. So the best strategy is to eat a variety.

Here are the top healthiest nuts:

Almonds are considered to have as much calcium as milk, and contain magnesium, vitamin E, selenium and lots of fiber. They can lower cholesterol and help prevent cancer.

Walnuts are very good for your heart and brain, and contain ellagic acid a cancer-fighting antioxidant.

Pecans have tons of vitamins and minerals like Vitamins E and A, folic acid, calcium, magnesium, copper, phosphorus, potassium, manganese, B vitamins, and zinc. And they help lower cholesterol.

Brazil Nuts are a good source of protein, copper, niacin, magnesium, fiber, vitamin E, and a great source of selenium.

Cedar Nuts/Pine Nuts have Vitamins A, B, D, E, P and contain 70% of your body’s required amino acids.

Cashews are rich in minerals like copper, magnesium, zinc, iron and biotin. They are actually a low-fat nut, and like olive oil, they have a high concentration of oleic acid, which is good for your heart. According to Dr. Andrew Saul, one big handful of cashews provides 1000-2000 milligrams of tryptophan, which rivals prescription antidepressant Prozac.

Here are the top healthiest seeds:

Flax seeds are my daily. Two tbsp of ground flax seed per day is ideal and easy to add to oatmeal, applesauce or smoothies. Or you could try flax oil. a better brand to try is Barleans Cold-Pressed Organic Flax Oil. High in both source of parent omega-3s and lignans, which are super anti-oxidants that help fight cancer. It also contains a lot of fiber and can reduce your risk of heart disease, stroke, and diabetes.

My second favorite is Chia Seeds. They are incredibly healthy seeds rich in omega-3 oils, protein, anti-oxidants, calcium, and fiber. They can also be added to almost any food due to their lack of any strong flavor.

Hemp seeds are a certified superfood with cancer and heart disease prevention properties. They are high in protein and fiber, with balanced omega 3 and 6 fatty acids.

Sunflower seeds also help prevent heart disease and cancer with phytochemicals, folate, Vitamin E, selenium and copper.

Pumpkin Seeds are great for your immune system with lots of antioxidants (carotenoids), omega-3 fatty acids and zinc which in particular helps improve sex drive and is necessary for a healthy, abundant, sperm count.

Sesame Seeds are a good source of calcium, magnesium, fiber, iron, B1, phosphorus and zinc They can lower blood pressure, and protect against liver damage.

Sesame seeds have also been linked to prevention of many diseases like arthritis, asthma, migraine headaches, menopause, osteoporosis, and may even reduce PMS symptoms. Tahini is a ground sesame seed paste that’s popular ingredient in Middle Eastern dishes we eat, like hummus.

Last but not least is Apricot seeds or Apricot kernels, Apple seeds, and other bitter fruit seeds contain Amygdalin aka Vitamin B17 which has incredibly powerful anti-cancer properties. There are many cases of people who cured their cancer with Apricot kernels alone! The pharmaceutical Laetrile, which is a concentrated form of Amygdalin, has been used in cancer clinics outside the US for over 50 years.

And if you are wondering about peanuts, they don’t count because they are technically legumes (beans).

Peanuts and corn can contain a carcinogenic mold called aflatoxin, and they are notorious for being one of the most pesticide-contaminated crops. I would avoid.

The healthier grocery stores will have a row or two of bulk bins where you can buy nuts and seeds by the pound(s). You can mix them all together, add a few pieces of dark chocolate and voila, you have homemade trail mix. Eat them straight out of the bag, throw some in a bowl for the family, or toss into a smoothie, into oatmeal or on a salad. Either way, a couple handfuls of trail mix every day will supply your body with super nutrients.

A handful of nuts/seeds a day is great, raw being the best. Enjoy!