Best nuts?

dengarrett

I am trying to keep my calorie intake closer to my targets and have started eating peanuts when I need to gain calories at the end of the day. Are peanuts the way to go, or is some other nut better?

brenda_71

I like raw almonds!! Great sorce of protein and not as many calories as roasted.

swimmermama

From what I have read, most nuts are good for you. I try to mix it up between almonds, mixed nuts, and peanuts or peanut butter. Just make sure you are eating unsalted nuts to keep your sodium low!

Enigmatica

Walnuts and almonds are nutritional goldmines and provide healthy fats and minerals

lornainak

Raw almonds are they way to go.... also look into food for your blood type. I'm a type "A" and I love pistachio's but apparently they are not good for my blood type so I only have a handful once a year. Yeap once a year, but almonds I usually have about 20-35 every other day. Unsalted of course and you need to stay away from the salt as well.

SaraTonin

Peanuts are high in saturated fats compared to the other nuts. Mix it up!

tjstivers1

I definitely prefer almonds to any other nut. They're great for building muscle because of their good fats, and they're a good snack between meals.

VixFit2011

I just had the same question I posed to a nutritionist. They said walnuts and pistachios are excellent and almonds. Cashews ok eaten in small amount as maybe a dessert treat.

dengarrett

Seems like almonds is the front runner - if I want them to gain calories then any reason to not go with roasted instead of raw? (no salt of course).

Becca_007

Here's an article that I found very helpful. Though I enjoy eating raw nuts myself, particularly Raw Almonds.

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Snack Happy
Lower your cholesterol by the handful.

By Charity Ferreira

Roasted, toasted, soaked, or served raw, a handful of nuts is a superfood snack that's hard to beat. Nuts of all varieties are chock-full of satisfyingly rich flavors, healthful fats, protein, and fiber. And in a recent review of 23 studies, scientists confirmed that eating nuts on a regular basis—anywhere from 1.5 to 3.5 ounces five times a week—could lower total cholesterol by between 2 and 16 percent.

One of the darlings of the nut world is the almond, a favorite among nutritionists for its high levels of the antioxidant vitamin E. A study published last year in the Journal of Nutrition showed that eating three ounces of almonds a day might help prevent chronic diseases by reducing oxidative damage. That's the kind of damage you can get from, say, breathing polluted air, which has been linked with the development of cancer, heart disease, and Alzheimer's.

The study noted that whole almonds seemed to have more preventive benefits than vitamin supplements. "We don't know whether it's the good fats, the proteins, the antioxidants, or a synergistic effect of this mixture," says study author Jeffrey Blumberg, also director of the Antioxidants Research Laboratory and professor of the Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy at Tufts University. "But when we looked at the effect in the whole food context, we determined that eating almonds was more beneficial in reducing oxidative damage."

Not all nuts pack such a powerful punch, but each variety has its own unique nutritional benefits to help you stay healthy. Toss a few in your salad, dessert, pasta, and cereal, or enjoy a scoop for a protein-rich snack in a small but tasty package.

Health Nuts
Nut/Serving Size Almonds (1 oz/about 23)
Good Because Loaded with calcium and antioxidants.
Who Knew? One serving has nearly half the recommended daily allowance of vitamin E and as much antioxidant power as a cup of green tea.

Nut/Serving Size Hazelnuts (1 oz/about 20)
Good Because Rich in immunity-boosting antioxidants and heart-healthy monounsaturated fat.
Who Knew? Hazelnuts are also high in tryptophan, the amino acid that's the precursor to sleep-inducing serotonin and melatonin. Eating a few before bed might help you fall asleep.

Nut/Serving Size Pistachios (1 oz/about 45)
Good Because Packed with the antioxidants lutein and beta carotene, which reduce cholesterol.
Who Knew? One study concluded that eating three servings a day could reduce the effects of physical and mental stress on blood pressure.

Nut/Serving Size Walnuts (1 oz/about 14)
Good Because The most significant nut source of omega-3 fatty acids.
Who Knew? Omega-3s boost the immune system and promote heart health. A half serving contains a little more than the recommended daily value.

Nut/Serving Size Pecans (1 oz/about 20)
Good Because Great source of fiber and antioxidants.
Who Knew? One serving has the same amount of fiber as a medium-size apple.

http://www.yogajournal.com/lifestyle/2705?utm_source=EatingWisely&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=EatingWisely

Becca_007

Seems like almonds is the front runner - if I want them to gain calories then any reason to not go with roasted instead of raw? (no salt of course).

The reason raw are best is when roasted the oils (heat) destroy the nutrients in the nuts. So to up your calories for the day might be better to go the healthier route and eat a bit more of them than eat less healthy ones. But of course that's your choice in the end.:flowerforyou:

ETA: added a bit more info

dengarrett

Thank you so much to everyone!

pandafoo

I found this recent article about the 6 best nuts identified by the USDA: http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/6029190/6_best_healthiest_most_nutritious_nuts.html?cat=5

ALMONDS top the list. There's no ranking of the other 5, because all of them provide superb benefits compared to other nuts not on the USDA's top 6 list. They are pistachios, hazelnuts, peanuts, pecans, and walnuts (my personal favorite - they're the only nuts with extremely high levels of Omega 3 fatty acids)

mrmarius

for me personally uts peanuts as i dont like almonds. however almonds are supposed to be the best

SunLovin1

I like raw almonds!! Great sorce of protein and not as many calories as roasted.

True but roasted peanuts are higher in antioxidants if theyre roasted longer, according to Runner's World. Why not both peanuts or almonds? Walnuts are great too!

Pandorian

Almonds are my go-to but cashews are a special treat on occasion. peanuts I don't have often as I tend to eat peanut butter so that's my peanut taken care of :P

Walnuts I use in my Christmas baking, heck get a mixed nuts bag with them in their shells, the extra work to get at them ensures you only eat a few at a time :P

Tangerine302

I eat the raw unsalted almonds too!

skinnyhopes

Almonds
Lightly salted cashews
Brazilian Nuts
& Pistachios

Or you could just buy mixed nuts, which are super good.

EricInArlington

almonds, coco almonds and almond milk is the bomb! tastes like a milkshake :drinker:

puertoricanlady18

I love Pistachios!

AnnieeR

I think almonds, walnuts and brazil nuts are meant to have the most nutrients.