Nuts About Nuts – Georgina Ahern’s Tips On Healthy Snacks for Autumn

I am nuts about Halloween!

It's autumn, and almost Halloween. Yes, I'm guilty of buying some “Trick or Treat” sweets in advance to get started on the goody bags and yes, I have boldly tucked in to some already… that has to stop!

Do you still remember the houses that gave you apples, tangerines and monkey nuts thrown in, much to your sadness?!

Sad back then, maybe, but now let's look into the health benefits of some of those autumn snacks that we really should be snacking on.

Apples are great and as we have mentioned here before:

• Apples are a handy snack and both sweet and tasty
• They are low in calories and fat, and high in vitamins, minerals and fibre
• Apples are also a great detox food, containing pectin which helps remove toxic substances from our bodies 

Now try these Halloween goodies too…

Nuts are tasty and very wholesome, so it's a good time to stack up and swap a packet of sweets for a pack of nuts. They’re a very good choice for a high-energy snack. 

Of course, make sure you buy the natural, unsalted kind. A handful really can go a long way and be very beneficial to your health.

It's funny how many people avoid nuts or consider them a fattening food and yet we tuck in to other salty, sugary treats without thinking about it!

As part of a healthy diet, a small handful of nuts a day can actually be satisfying and prevent people from over-eating or snacking on more fatty foods. The fat found in nuts is the unsaturated kind too, meaning they are much better for your heart!

Here are some nut options on the good list:

Almonds – Almonds are a great source of protein, and they are also a great fibre provider for the body. They’re packed with plenty of vitamins and minerals such as Vitamin E, a very important vitamin and antioxidant that can help the body fight illnesses and diseases. They also include calcium, potassium, zinc, folic acid 
and Vitamin B 

Cashew nuts – Cashew nuts are also great at contributing to a healthier you and good vitality. They are said to be beneficial to healthy teeth and gums, and are packed with plenty of calcium, magnesium and folic acid.

Walnuts – Walnuts can help strengthen the kidneys and lungs, and well as improving your metabolism. Walnuts also have a high oil content and omega 3 fatty acids, which help prevent heart disease, along with iron, calcium, folic acid and Vitamin C and E.

So this Halloween, go nuts like me!

Enjoy 
Georgina
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