Loretta Morgado’s Blog

Peanuts! Peanuts and more PEANUTS!

Yes. Word is out from health professionals that peanuts and most nuts in general are very good for our health, along side a healthy balance diet and exercise.

Recent studies have confirmed that regular consumption of peanuts and peanut butter can help benefit your physical, mental and emotional health. It also has cardiovascular benefits.

Peanuts are a good source of monounsaturated fat (like the one you find in olive oil) which benefits your heart and helps reduce cholesterol, gall bladder disease and Type 2 diabetes. It also contains essential amino acids, folic acid, magnesium and zinc which can help with depression. Studies have found that having a moderate fat intake (from mono and polyunsaturated fats) in the diet rather than a low fat intake, is more beneficial and can also help with weight loss.

Replacing high sugar/fat snacks with peanuts and other nuts, helps to lower your weight as well as keep you feeling satisfied for longer, as they are slow burning (ie. low Glycaemic Index). Australian researchers have managed to show evidence that frequent consumption of peanuts as part of a healthy diet does not contribute to weight gain.

If you want more information, you can check out the American Peanut Council.

So go on…..keep a packet of peanuts with you for snacking on throughout the day. But bear in mind that you still need to eat a healthy balanced diet and do regular exercise also. And make sure that the nuts you buy are fresh (ideally not salted or roasted as they will be high in salt!).

Until soon with more musings…

Loretta