Nuts truly exemplify the expression Food Is Medicine.  Read ahead to learn about the 6 nuts you should be eating for your health…

Nuts Are Healing… Are You Eating The Right Ones?

In Chinese medicine, nuts are known to be good for your brain, heart, skin and reproductive system. They truly are medicine. There’s been a lot of research recently about the health benefits of all different kinds of nuts. Like anything else, there are good ones and their are great ones… and there are the not so good ones.

Eating the right kinds of nuts can help protect you against heart disease and cancer. So, I want you to eat nuts. But, in the right amounts — after all, too much of anything can be a bad thing — and I want you to stick to the varieties that are best for your needs.

Nuts have always been a popular snack, but an even better way to reap the rewards of the healing power of nuts is by cooking with them and adding them to your everyday recipes. It may take some thinking outside of the box, but it’s really easy. Start by keeping a few jars or packages of nuts out on your counter where you can see them. Then, the next time you are having a bowl of soup or stew or chili, just sprinkle some nuts on top. The texture and crunch will really add great taste to your food and you will be getting the healing powers too.

Making a snack out of nuts has always been popular. The problem that a lot of people have when choosing nuts as a healthy snack, is portion control. I guess nuts are no different than anything else that way. I use different varieties of nuts to heal different conditions in the body — some nuts are even considered Chinese herbs (like walnuts — see info below).  Yes, they are that healing.

Some nuts are awesome when you are eating a dairy-free diet but you love your cream sauces. Cashews make The. Best. Cream. Sauces. Period. I’ve got some great recipes for you at the bottom of this post — shhhhhh…. nobody knows that the Cheeseburger Soup I feed them is made from cashews…

Some nuts are great for your digestive issues.

Some nuts are great for your brain and your heart.

I recommend different nuts to my clients based on what their specific concerns are.

But, for my clients who come to me for weight management, portion control can be a problem. Just because something is good for you and has healing properties, that doesn’t mean you can go hog-wild and eat a whole bag. Nope — 7 smallish nuts makes a snack. And, by the way, regular everyday trail mix that you buy in the supermarket, is not necessarily a healthy snack. Certainly not if you eat the whole bag!

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If you eat the right foods and herbs for your unique body and circumstances, you can heal yourself. All you need is the correct information. And I’m here to give it to you. So, read on and learn more ways you can easily start to heal yourself with nuts. And, if you want to learn more about healing whatever your specific concerns are, I’d love to help you create a healthy lifestyle plan specifically for your unique needs, so sign up for a free phone consultation and we can chat about it.

Keep reading to learn about the health benefits of my 6 favorite nuts. These are the 6 nuts you should be eating for your health.

First off, let me say that whenever possible, you should buy raw nuts. And, if you can buy organic raw nuts, even better.  When you buy toasted, roasted, salted, or flavored nuts, you are not getting the same benefits. Raw nuts are nuts in their purest, healthiest form, with no additives and no processing. Many markets carry lots of varieties of raw nuts — sometimes they are more expensive, but they are worth it.

Okay, now you’re ready to pick the nuts that with heal what ails you…

Here Are The 6 Nuts You Should Be Eating For Your Health

1. Brazil Nuts

To me, brazil nuts have always been those big nuts that nobody wanted to eat in the mixed nuts can. When I was a child, everyone would pick out the cashews and the almonds and the peanuts and brazil nuts were always left on the bottom. Who knew that brazil nuts are incredibly good for you!? Well, they are! Brazil nuts contain high amounts of selenium and antioxidants. They can lower inflammation and have been shown to lower bad cholesterol and raise good cholesterol. These big beauties have also been shown to be effective in fighting off some types of cancers.

I like to eat 2 brazil nuts a day — whenever I need a little something.

2. Cashews

Cashews are really a multi-tasking nut. I use them all the time so I say it all the time: Cashews have a lower fat content than most other nuts. Most of the fat in cashews is unsaturated and is made up of oleic acid; this is the same acid that is found in olive oil, making these nuts a heart-healty choice.

I use cashews in cream sauces and faux cream soups. I also love cashew yogurt… this is one of the greatest inventions since sliced bread…

3. Almonds

Almonds had their 15 minutes of fame a few years ago when the news reported that every night before bed President Obama would eat 7 almonds. This is a smart choice!

Almonds are particularly nutritious. They are a good source of protein and they give you energy. And, they are gluten-free. Almonds will help relieve a cough and asthma and are also good for constipation.

One of my favorite ways to incorporate almonds into my regular diet is to use almond-based pastas. The world is a better place for having almond fettuccine, lasagna noodles, and gnocchi.  And they taste like fresh pasta. Yum.

4. Walnuts

Walnuts are a Chinese herb called He Tao Ren. I recommend them to clients who are suffering with chronic constipation. They are also good for some types of weaknesses in elderly people — like chronic coughs and wheezing.  Walnuts are good at helping to combat inflammation and they are also good to boost brain function.

I love walnuts on top of my warm smoothie bowls and hot cereals.

5. Pecans

Pecans are good for energy and they can also help you get rid of a cough. They are also good to help combat constipation, lower back pain, low libido, and erectile dysfunction.

There’s nothing better than a 2-ingredient pie or tart crust made out of pecans and dates.

6.  Pistachios

First, let me be completely clear — I’m not taking about those red shelled pistachios that used to be popular. Ugh… nothing is naturally that color. I’m talking about raw whitish-green pistachio nuts, in the shell or out. Pistachios are good for you. Studies have shown these delicious nuts help with cholesterol, inflammation, and motor function. They are rich in minerals and are lower in calories than some other nuts.

Nuts Are Not Only For Snacking — Make Them A Part Of Your Meals

I love to cook with nuts.  Cashews make incredible cream sauces. Almonds and walnuts are great toppings for smoothie bowls, soups, and stews. Pecans are great to bake with or to blend into smoothies. Here are some of my favorite recipes using nuts.

 

The World’s Healthiest Nut Butter

I know the title of this recipe means this nut butter better be fantastic. It is. Not only does it contain healthy nuts, but it also contains healthy seeds. And it is, by far, the best nut butter you will ever have. Feel free to make it your own by using any nuts that make you smile.

Flourless Chocolate Chip Walnut Cookies

These cookies are incredible. Truly. The base is made from walnuts and dates. Nobody will know they are grain-free and healing, but everyone will ask you for the recipe.

Paleo Vegan Caesar Salad

This Caesar dressing is made out of cashews. Make a big batch. No, make a huge batch. It keeps really well in the fridge and it is delicious!

If you have any questions about these 6 nuts you should be eating for your health, or really, about anything else… just ask me in the comments below. I love to hear from you!

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