We all need a snack now and then but the difficulty can be choosing healthy ones! Nuts are a great option: filling, nutritious, transportable and can be kept in desk drawers, glove compartments etc so they are ready for when you need a nibble.
Nuts are a good combination of beneficial fats, plant protein and fibre so will keep you feeling full and satisfied. They provide a variety of vitamins and minerals, omega fatty acids and contain anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.
They are beneficial for cardiovascular disease and can help regulate cholesterol levels as well as reducing type ll diabetes, blood pressure as well as boosting brain health.
You can also use good quality nut butters – choose those without added sugar or palm oils – either chunky or smooth. A nice snack is to spread some nut butter on apple or celery slices.
You can add them to a yogurt breakfast along with seeds, a spoon of nut butter in smoothies, or sprinkled on steamed veg along with olive oil and grated lemon zest.
You can make biscuits and cakes a little healthier by substituting some of the flour with the same weight of ground almonds – they will alter the texture a little but make them moister.
For those who are allergic to nuts you can substitute seeds: pumpkin and sunflower seeds can replace nuts in ‘butters’ and for snacking but always check with your GP/dietician that they are suitable for you.
Here is one of our blogs from a few years ago about the benefits of eating nuts: https://www.lucksyardclinic.com/going-nuts-nuts/
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