A handful of nuts...what they can do for you!

I am sure there are MANY imaginative ways to interpret the title of today's post.... :) Let's not go there! haha

What I would like to share with you today though, is ONE incredibly powerful habit that you can EASILY establish that will make an AMAZING difference to your health and well being, not just now, but in the long-term as well.

A handful (or about 30-40g) of raw, unsalted nuts a day can:

- help you achieve and maintain a healthy body weight (yes! It's true! They do contain fat, which is why we LIMIT the amount we have, yet as nuts are what we term a "whole food fat", the amount of fat digested and absorbed is LESS than you would derive from oil versions of fats- more on Whole Food Fats in another post)

-help manage existing diabetes better, AND prevent the ONSET of diabetes later in life! Wow! Powerful hey? (there are SO many reasons why this is the case including the healthy FATS they contain, which are protective against heart disease- something diabetes are much more at risk of; the fact they have a LOW Glycemic Index, which minimises insulin response and spikes; they contain an amino acid, arginine which has been shown to help insulin work more efficiently as well as to keep blood vessels healthy; they contain FIBRE, which helps to reduce cholesterol, insulin response and hunger; they are a powerful source of ANTI-OXIDANTS which help to reduce any inflammation in the body- a key contributor to blocked blood vessels and clogged arteries; they contain Vitamin E which also helps improve insulin sensitivity)

-help to prevent heart disease (in fact you can HALVE your risk of developing heart disease SIMPLY by eating a handful of nuts 5 or more times a week! Wow!)

So.....what are you waiting for?!?!

The time, energy, effort and $$ you invest into this ONE SIMPLE HABIT, really can and WILL make a difference in your life...

Test it out.... :)

By the way! Peanuts are NOT nuts....they are a legume :) And whilst very healthy and a great source of protein, they will not necessarily confer the benefits discussed above...we will address peanuts in ANOTHER blog :)

So! There you have it ladies and gents! :)

Would LOVE to hear your thoughts/comments/feedback and personal experience :)

Oh, and to add...for those who do not "like" nuts...I challenge you to a 21 day trial of giving them a go each day....there have been many nut-dislikers converted to nut-lovers, simply by persisting and TRAINING their taste-buds ;p

THIS DOES NOT APPLY TO THOSE WITH ALLERGIES!! If you are allergic, you know to avoid nuts, and we don't need to go there :)

For more info on ANY of today's topics, including fact sheets are more fun nut facts, go to www.nutsforlife.com.au GREAT WEBSITE for all your NUTTY NEEDS ;p

BIG LOVE to you all!

Mwah! xoxooxo

BridgetJane
Food Body Lifestyle Guru
Writer, Speaker, Consultant
www.newleafnutrition.com.au
http://bridgetjaneguru.blogspot.com
http://bridgetthompson.blogspot.com
http://bridget-jane.blogspot.com