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California Walnuts | Essential Food for Health


Snack Smart on Superbowl Sunday

Football Helmet filled with WalnutsResearch shows that Americans will consume 30 million pounds of snacks on Superbowl Sunday.1 Great football coaches develop game plans for beating their opponents and so can you. This year, tackle calories and saturated fat without fumbling taste by eating smart at your Super Bowl party.  Make the smart choice and include walnuts for heart healthy snacks that are full of nutrients. In addition to having a bowl of walnuts, try adding walnuts to dips, appetizers, pizza and more.

1 Calorie Control Council and Snack Food Association

Nutritional Comparison: FINAL SCORE (1 serving of each)

  Calories   Total Fat Saturated Fat Fiber

Walnuts Game Plan

483 21g 1.8g 7.0g

“Traditional” Super Bowl Foods

  • Potato chips w/French onion dip
  • Buffalo wings (6) (no sauce)
  • Chocolate chip cookie
1,127 77g 24.5g 2.0g

 

Fun Fact on Beer and Nuts!

Bowl of Spiced Walnuts

On October 5, 2007, ABC News reported in an article titled “Healthy Pairs: Dynamic Food Duos”:

Sitting at the bar while eating nuts and drinking beer is not a path to heart disease, but may in fact be a healthy pastime.  In fact, nuts boost good cholesterol, HDL, and lower bad cholesterol, LDL.  And alcohol acts as a blood thinner and helps prevent blood clots.  In both cases, though, moderation is key.

Swedish researchers have also found that the fat and fiber in nuts slow down the absorption of alcohol, smoothing out the effects of moderate alcohol consumption.

For best results, try to eat about 15 minutes before taking that first drink.

Are Some Nuts Better Than Others?

Yes, the tops in terms of health benefits are almonds and walnuts.  Don’t be scared to be a nut snob.  If there are mixed nuts, dig around and find the almonds and walnuts.