For those looking to start a more health-conscious diet, there may be the question of how to receive essential nutrients, protein and fats, especially if moving to better health means cutting back on meat.
Fortunately, there are many sources of protein and essential fats for those looking to move to a health conscious diet that reduces overall cholesterol or overall blood pressure.
For every person thinking about adhering to a health conscious diet, the question becomes, “Where can I get the protein?” This is especially if the person is thinking about cutting back meat or removing it altogether.
That person shouldn’t fear however, because nuts are here.
A nut, in a scientific sense, is a fruit composed of a hard shell and seed. Typically, the hard shell is inedible, while the seed is edible. In common usage, however, a nut is considered to be a kernel whose outer shell is hard but edible. Some examples of nuts include peanuts, cashews, pecans, and macadamia nuts.
Nuts have positive health benefits. Nuts have a very low glycemic index due to their high unsaturated fat content, high amount of protein, and low carbohydrate levels. Doctors sometimes add them to the diet of those with diabetes. They also can lower LDL serum and possess Omega-3 fatty acids, which can help with brain function.
There are many types of nuts that provide nutritional value. A quick search of Peanut Benefits or Cashew Nutrition can yield promising results. One type of nut that has major nutritional value and grows on trees in the United States is the pecan.
The pecan is derived from a tree of the same name that grows in Mexico and the south central and south eastern parts of the United States. Even though pecans were generally known as a delicacy, they weren’t cultivated as a major crop until the 1880s. Since then, the nuts have been used in a variety of dishes and the wood has been used to smoke meats.
Pecans are a major source of dietary fiber, manganese, magnesium, phosphate, zinc, and protein, among others. Their fat mostly consists of monounsaturated fat.
Pecans are often included in recipes, either as the main ingredient or the supporting ingredient. This is due to their rich, buttery flavor. Here are some foods that are produced using pecan recipes that you can look at.
An example of foods produced using pecan recipes is the well-known pecan pie. The pecan pie is often produced during fall or especially Thanksgiving. The pecans give a nice buttery texture with a good crunch that enhances the crust.
Another example of foods produced using pecan recipes is the pecan squares. Like the pecan pie, the pecan squares can be seen as a dessert and use a variety of ingredients, such as sugar, eggs, and all-purpose flour to create the dish.
Nuts are healthy for you and can provide a good amount of protein in a health conscious diet.
