Nuts play an important role in the overall physical and mental development. They are an important part of a healthy diet. There is a lot of confusion in people about how they can assist weight loss but, in spite of they being high in calories and fat, research shows that people who eat nuts tend to be leaner than those who do not.
Incorporating the high calorie dense almonds and cashewnuts to enrich the taste of a dish has been followed in the Indian tradition since time immemorial. Our ancestors also strongly believed that nuts helped not only in improving the brain health but also optimizing immunity and building stronger bones and joints. This is the reason why children are almost often fed almonds and walnuts in an Indian household.
Nuts are clubbed in the same group as meat, fish, lentils, beans, and eggs due to their protein content. They provide a range of nutrients including the heart healthy monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats.
Are nuts good for the heart?
Research suggests that consuming a handful of nuts daily may help in reducing the risk of heart disease. This is attributed to the low proportion of saturated fats to the mono and poly unsaturated fats in them. The fiber and the plant sterols in them help reduce the cholesterol re absorption from the gut. The low sodium and high potassium levels in them also assist in keeping the blood pressure in check. Besides this they have a good range of antioxidants in them that assists in reducing the inflammation
What about diabetes?
Nuts with their fat and fiber content have a low glycemic index. This means that they slow the passage of food through the gut and help in regulating the blood sugar levels. For the non diabetic their regular intake reduces the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes which has been substantiated by a number of studies.
And most importantly, what about weight loss?
As against popular belief that eating nuts causes weight gain they may actually help reduce the risk of obesity. The healthy fat and the fiber in them keeps one full thus controlling appetite. If one consumes calories within the recommended amount and nuts are a part of that diet then it will in fact aid in weight loss. They are a healthier option to the other junk which one may have like cookies, chips, biscuits, etc.
To summarize, nuts play a very important role in various phases and conditions of lives: They,
A handful of nuts is the recommended amount as part of a healthy diet.
For a small population nuts are a concern as they are allergic to them. They may be allergic to one or more or all nuts. Hence, they need to be cautious about their intake through various sources.
Many weight loss centres in Mumbai are offering the services of experienced nutritionists as per your needs or goals which may be weight loss, sports nutrition or child nutrition which may assist you in planning a healthy diet wherein nuts could be a part of that diet.
Glycemic Index in weight loss programs – An overview
The food that we eat or drink provides fuel to the body. The nutrients - carbohydrates, proteins and fats from food are used to provide the body with the necessary energy that it needs. Energy can be used right away by the body to provide energy or stored to be used later. However, from the three nutrients mentioned above, carbohydrates are the main providers of energy to the body.
Fuel Up Your Workout
Appropriate nutrition helps our body perform better and recover faster after a workout. Good nutrition not only helps in maximizing the performance but also minimizes the muscle damage.
A Silent Killer - Inflammation
Inflammation is the body’s way of naturally protecting itself against harm. However, when inflammation stays for long the immune system is drained and the body finds it difficult to deal with illnesses. Researchers have also found that obesity can weaken the immune system and reduce its ability to fight infections. So, getting into a weight loss program and losing weight will help fight inflammation.
