If you're nuts for peanuts, you're in good company! In a recent article for People Magazine, Harley Pasternak shared why peanuts are a nutritional powerhouse. Here's a recap of what the celebrity trainer and nutrition expert said about our favourite legume:
Jam-packed with nutrients
Peanuts are a nutritional powerhouse packed with protein, carbohydrates, fibre and many more good-for-you vitamins and minerals. Plus, the majority of fat found in peanuts in monounsaturated, which is important to heart health and can lower blood cholesterol. This trifecta of protein, fibre and healthy fats also helps to moderate appetite.
Good-for-you goobers
Choose peantus not only for taste, but also the health benefits! Peanuts have been the subject of extensive research which found:
- • Peanuts reduce the risk of heart disease by 24%
- • Eating peanuts helped decrease blood pressure, even among those with high blood pressure
- • Opting for peanuts or peanut butter in the morning helped manage and decrease blood sugar spikes throughout the day
Other powerful peanut products
The market for peanutty products is growing far beyond the go-to jar of peanut butter, including:
- • Peanut oil: A smart alternative for cooking, peanut oil doesn't impart it's flavour into the food and can handle higher temperatures than other oils
- • Peanut flour: A smart substitute for those who are gluten-intolerant, peanut flour can be used as a replacement for flour and breadcrumbs when baking and breading
- • Peanut protein powder: A great addition to smoothies, yogurt and oatmeal, Pasternak recommends looking for peanut protein powders with no added sugars or flavourings
Read the full article here: People.com