Are You Nuts 2 ? (No, This is NOT a coconut follow-up post)
Are you nuts about nuts?
This article is dedicated to nut enthusiasts worldwide.
“You wanna get nuts?!? Let’s get nuts!!”
— Michael Keaton as Bruce Wayne in Batman (1989)
For thousands of years, our ancestors faced a pretty simple problem.
How do you carry food with you on a long journey?
No coolers.
No protein bars.
No snack aisle.
Just… whatever you could bring.
Travelers needed something light. Something filling. Something that didn’t spoil easily.
And that’s where nuts come in.
Nuts were basically nature’s original travel snack.
Small. Portable. Packed with energy.
The first “fast food,” long before fast food was even a thing.
And honestly?
Not much has changed.
Even today, a small handful of nuts can keep you going when your stomach starts making demands at the worst possible time.
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| a big bowl of nuts |
Why Nuts Are Still One of the Best Snacks Around
They’re rich in plant-based protein. They have healthy fats that actually satisfy. And they contain minerals your body quietly appreciates, even if you don’t think about it much.
For years, nuts had a bad reputation.
Too much fat. Too many calories.
But nutrition science has softened on them in a big way.
Most nuts are full of unsaturated fats, the kind linked with better heart health. Study after study has connected regular nut intake with improved cholesterol levels, lower inflammation, and even better weight control over time.
Yes, they’re calorie-dense.
But they’re also filling.
That matters.
The FDA still allows a qualified health claim on certain nuts, noting that eating about 1.5 ounces per day may reduce the risk of heart disease, even though the evidence isn’t considered absolute proof.
In normal human language?
A small daily handful is probably a very good idea.
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| pistachios |
Popular Nuts and What Makes Them Special
There are hundreds of nut varieties out there, but here are a few favorites worth knowing.
Brazil Nuts
Brazil nuts come from enormous trees in the Amazon rainforest.
Some of those trees grow well over 150 feet tall, which feels appropriate… because these nuts are nutritional giants.
Their big claim to fame is selenium.
Selenium supports thyroid health and antioxidant function.
But Brazil nuts contain so much of it that you really don’t need many.
One or two a day is plenty.
These are not the kind of snack you eat mindlessly by the bowlful.
They’re tender, mildly sweet, and just a little too easy to overdo.
Black Walnuts
Black walnuts are native to North America, and they have a deeper, bolder flavor than the walnuts most people are used to.
They contain polyphenols, which are plant compounds researchers continue to study for their potential protective effects.
Walnuts in general have one of the strongest reputations among nuts when it comes to heart health.
And black walnuts?
They taste a little smoky. A little earthy.
Like the dark roast coffee version of a walnut.
Hazelnuts (Filberts)
Hazelnuts have that warm, aromatic flavor people instantly recognize.
Nutella didn’t make them famous. They were already famous.
Nutritionally, hazelnuts provide vitamin E, magnesium, fiber, and heart-friendly fats.
They also contain natural plant compounds that may support healthy blood vessels.
And honestly, they just make everything taste fancy.
Pine Nuts
Pine nuts are technically seeds.
But we’re not going to be strict about it.
They have a mild flavor and a long history in cooking, especially in Mediterranean dishes.
Some research suggests pine nuts may influence hormones related to fullness.
Which might explain why they feel surprisingly satisfying for something so small.
They don’t overpower a dish.
They just quietly make it better.
Macadamia Nuts
Macadamias are often associated with Hawaii.
But they’re actually native to Australia.
They’re famous for their buttery flavor, but they’re also rich in monounsaturated fats and minerals that support heart health.
Some studies have found that adding macadamias to a balanced diet can improve cholesterol markers in just a few weeks.
They taste indulgent.
But they’re still in the “good for you” category.
That’s a rare win.
Chestnuts
Chestnuts are the oddballs of the nut world.
They’re much lower in fat than most nuts, and higher in carbohydrates.
Nutritionally, they’re closer to a starchy food, like potatoes or brown rice.
They also contain more vitamin C than most nuts, although cooking reduces that quite a bit.
Roasted chestnuts have a soft, sweet flavor.
Cozy.
Holiday-like.
There’s a reason they show up in winter food memories.
Almonds
Almonds are probably the most common “starter nut.”
Easy to find. Easy to snack on. Easy to toss into almost anything.
They’re especially known for vitamin E and fiber, which is a nice combination for heart health and fullness.
They’re also one of those foods that feel simple…
But quietly do a lot.
Pistachios
Pistachios are the nuts that slow you down.
Mostly because you have to work for them.
That’s not a bad thing.
They’re surprisingly high in protein compared to many other nuts, and they’ve been studied for their potential benefits in cholesterol and metabolic health.
Plus, they make snacking feel a little more intentional.
One shell at a time.
Pecans
Pecans don’t always get the attention walnuts and almonds do, but they deserve a little spotlight.
They’re rich in antioxidants and healthy fats, and they have that naturally sweet, buttery flavor that makes people think they belong in pie.
Sometimes they do.
Sometimes they belong in your oatmeal.
Life is flexible like that.
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| pecans |
A Quick Nutty Q&A
(Because People Always Ask…)
So… are nuts actually healthy?
Yes.
Genuinely.
They’re not just “health food” in a trendy way. Nuts are one of the most consistently supported snacks in nutrition research.
Heart health. Fullness. Better cholesterol.
They show up again and again.
But aren’t nuts super high in calories?
Also yes.
Nuts are calorie-dense.
But here’s the interesting part: people who eat nuts regularly don’t automatically gain weight.
Probably because nuts are filling.
You don’t usually eat them and then immediately go hunting for more snacks.
How much is a good amount?
Think small handful.
About one ounce a day.
Not a giant container you keep reaching into while watching TV.
Just… a reasonable daily portion.
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| hazelnuts |
Which nuts are the best?
That’s like asking which book is the best.
It depends.
Walnuts get a lot of love for heart health.
Almonds are great for fiber and vitamin E.
Pistachios are surprisingly high in protein.
Brazil nuts are selenium superheroes… but only in small amounts.
What about nut butters?
They count.
As long as the ingredients are simple.
If the label says “almonds” and maybe “salt,” you’re good.
If it starts sounding like a candy bar…
Well, you know.
Any nuts I should be careful with?
Brazil nuts.
They’re wonderful, but they’re so high in selenium that one or two a day is enough.
More isn’t better in this case.
Sometimes it’s just… more.
Final Thought: One Handful at a Time
And maybe this is the real point.
Nuts aren’t magic.
They won’t fix everything.
But they’re something small.
A simple choice.
A handful of walnuts instead of whatever comes in a crinkly bag with a cartoon mascot on it.
That’s not a diet.
That’s a decision.
And decisions add up.
We don’t need perfect.
We need better.
One small habit.
One handful at a time.
Got some more nutty ideas to share?
Give us something to talk about.
Leave a comment below.
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