Snacking on nuts? Good or bad!!

amber22vanessa

I am a big fan of nuts - cashew pistachio walnuts. And like to snack on these (in moderation). However, it really bumps up the daily calorie intake. Plus it's good fat!! Not sure what to do as I then exceed my total goal!!

cwolfman13

They provide for healthy fats...they are calorie dense. If you are exceeding your calorie targets, it doesn't matter if they're good fats.

happyauntie2015

I have either almonds or pistachios daily I just make sure they fit in my daily allotment

CafeRacer808

Eat less nuts. Weigh out a portion or portions that fit into your daily calorie goal and either commit to not eating more than that, or make room somewhere else in your day so you can fit them in.

Ready2Rock206

Eat only the amount that fits in your calorie goal. If you need to you may need to remove something else to make room for them.

Unknown

This content has been removed.

goldthistime

I follow the "one small handful a day rule". I worry less these days about my fat macro. I just make sure I get my protein and let carbs/fat fall where it may.

Nuts are one of the few things I religiously use the scales for though.

bbell1985

I can't have them. Too calorie dense. They aren't even really a part of my maintenance diet.

BrunetteRunner87

I think nuts are a great snack, yeah they are calorie dense but they fill me up and give me energy. Of course if you're not hungry and/or they don't fit whatever your diet is then don't eat them or eat less, but they are a way better option than other snacks out there.

ahoy_m8

Context matters. E.g if your meals tend to be low fat and you struggle to hit your fat minimum, you need fat-rich snacks. I love nuts, too, and fit them in almost every day. I always weigh them, though. I amaze myself with how good I am at estimating food weights. Except nuts. I underestimate those.

omakase619

Make sure you eat unsalted. They pack so much salt into the salted brands.


I try to make room for nuts in my diet because they help raise your hdl

jessicagreen1828

Nuts are one of natures' greatest sources of antioxidants! They also increase longevity! Don't cut them out, maybe just cut back to fit them in? There's tons of positive new research out there touting the benefits of daily nut consumption. Maybe pre-weigh/portion into snack baggies?

EricaCraigie

I would avoid personally.. snacking suggests having quite a few

glassyo

Snacking on nuts is good.

Snacking on nuts handful by the handful by the handful by the handful until you realize you've eaten the whole can or bag and used up your calories for the whole week is....potentially bad.

happysherri

I hardly ever eat nuts as a snack. For me, if I just eat a serving size it doesn't satisfy me. Also I always go over on my fat macros for the day - and I know they're good fats but my body seems to show it. But if you love them, just portion them out for the day.

GrinnyMae

I like to snack on nuts. But I portion them out into 1 oz servings and don't usually have them more than once a day. Don't just eat out of the container-too easy to eat more than you intend. I usually pair them with a piece of fruit or a piece of cheese.

sarabushby

Agreed - it's SO easy to overeat calories from nuts. I find Pistachios at least take a little longer to eat if you have to shell them. Be really careful to weigh out how many you're truly eating and fit them into your macros.

everher

I love them, but they are calorie dense.

I don't eat them every day, but if I have them for a snack I portion them out and eat them with something else to fill me up.

peleroja

From a weight loss perspective, IMO it's very simple.

If they make you feel satiated and help you stay within your goals, then they're good for you.

If they're causing you to exceed your calorie goal, then they're bad for you.

Sounds like in your case, they are bad for you, unless you cut down on the amount and make them fit into your day without exceeding your calorie goal.

alyssa0061

bbell1985 wrote: »

I can't have them. Too calorie dense. They aren't even really a part of my maintenance diet.

Me either. I don't want a serving size, I want the whole bag. They are a food I cannot moderate therefore do not buy.

estherdragonbat

I use them as a garnish for salads and mains. Snacking on them, if I haven't pre-measured and hidden the rest away, makes it a challenge for me to stop before I go over my calories.

Bonnieelizabeth

I buy them at Aldi's and put a serving in a snack size bag and have them occasionally I do watch how many I eat due to the calorie content they are low in carbs and do have protein the most important thing is to plan ahead if you want to have something like nuts so you are under calories and yet getting plenty of Quality fat

bbell1985

alyssa0061 wrote: »

bbell1985 wrote: »

I can't have them. Too calorie dense. They aren't even really a part of my maintenance diet.

Me either. I don't want a serving size, I want the whole bag. They are a food I cannot moderate therefore do not buy.

Yeah I don't even know what it is. It's not like I'm always thinking about nuts (hehe). Once I eat a few though I just want them all.

dragon_girl26

estherdragonbat wrote: »

I use them as a garnish for salads and mains. Snacking on them, if I haven't pre-measured and hidden the rest away, makes it a challenge for me to stop before I go over my calories.

This is also what I do.

Snacking on them would not be satisfying for me. Plus, they work so well with other things. A small sprinkle mixed in oatmeal, salads, even with popcorn (I love popcorn and roasted pecans together) makes them seem more satisfying and last longer.

Tricia7188

I agree with everyone. If you can't stop once you start better just to not have them around at this time.
Also depends on how hungry you are throughout the day, if I'm lucky and I'm not hungry at the end of the day(or feeling sick not wanting to eat) I'll eat a whole TABLESPOON or 2 (weighed out based on the jar) of peanut butter and looooove it, 100-200ish cals gone in a flash haha.
But if I'm having a hungry day I know I won't be doing nuts I'll have fruit or vegetable instead for the fiber and bulk.
Over time I'm finding I'm staying full on less food and I'm incorporating 10-20 grams of various nuts in the morning mixed into my oatmeal or yogurt. But aaaaaaalways have to weigh.

L1zardQueen

I can't have nuts in my house, I can't eat just a handful. They are a deal breaker for me.

Rocknut53

cwolfman13 wrote: »

They provide for healthy fats...they are calorie dense. If you are exceeding your calorie targets, it doesn't matter if they're good fats.

I totally read this wrong. At first I thought you were giving her the green light to eat beyond her calorie targets as long as she was eating good fats. I've read enough of your posts to know your weren't suggesting that. I eat nuts every day, just a few except on days of long cardio, then I eat more. I just have to make room for them.