Some of you might be like me and have always associated Nuts & Seeds as snack foods or trail mix; but when one is eating more healthy either as a vegetarian or vegan, these foods become a Major part of the food groups available.
Just a hand full of nuts ( 1/2 cup/4ozs) instead of being just a snack to ward off hunger, are also a major source of natural calcium, easily digested protein, fiber, minerals and trace elements.
Roasted Nut butter/tahini is great added to soup, salads and stews, and even stir fry's.
Raw nut butter and tahini makes great sauces and dips and actually has more easily digested nutrients than roasted.
Here is a bit more info:
Almonds are calcium rich, raw ones have to be soaked overnight in fresh water then drained ( these are called sprouted almonds even though nothing is actually sprouted) this is to remove a natural toxin, that causes birds to throw them up, and also humans to develop severe stomach problems.
allow 1/2- 1cup raw per day
Almonds are high in Vitamin E helps improve the condition and appearance of skin.
The washed skin of raw almonds is rich in heart protecting falvonoids.
Brazil ..only eat in small amounts ( 3-4 actual nuts daily) as they contain high doses of a mineral called selenium, which helps boost the immune system, helps wounds heal and is needed to produce the active thyroid hormone.
Pistachio..full of Vit B6 which is vital to healthy hormones, and are the ONLY nut that contains good levels of lutein, and zeaxanthin..2 powerful antioxidants, that help to protect the eyes from cellular damage.
Avoid roasted salted ones ( if cutting down on sodium) for plain roasted
Pistachio also contain potassium & fiber and a 3 oz portion of nut meats contains more 3 times that of fresh plums same weight.
Walnuts ..they have a superior content of antioxidants and are useful in the fight against cancer.
They are rich in Omega 3 so for Vegetarians and vegans they are a good substitute nutrition wise for oily fish.
Walnuts are high also in monounsaturated heart friendly fats and are good at lowering the bad form of cholesterol LDL.
All nuts contain good fats...the ones with the highest so eat in moderation are:
Brazil, Macadamias & Cashews ( which are really a legume and not a nut in the true sense of the word).
Be very much like squirrels and make a good stock of assorted nuts available in your home, not just for winter. Enjoy a good healthy snack of nuts, as often as you can, and try and make it a big part of your daily eating regimen..Enjoy The GOOD LIFE for longer.
The best online resource for Nuts and grains/seeds for sprouting is www.Nuts.com
I always us these for any seeds to be sprouted, spiralina, and and other Nuts..they are a tremendous company
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