Best nuts?

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

Almonds
Lightly salted cashews
Brazilian Nuts
& Pistachios

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

I love Pistachios!

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)

woah what a useful article! will definitely be going back to this. thanks!