Be healthy
Fitness does not necessarily mean one needs to have a picture perfect body. It means being confident from inside and having a body free from obesity,” says Ashish Gupta, Gold’s Gym fitness expert.
Though exercise is a must to feel good, along with leafy veggies you plan to include in your diet, Gupta tells Metrolife about how useful peanuts are. Popularly consumed as snacks in many households, especially in India. Peanuts have several health benefits that can actually help one lead a fit life. Here are some benefits of peanuts that Gupta shares with Metrolife:
Your heart will go on
Peanuts are rich in mono unsaturated fats — the type of fat that is emphasised in the heart-healthy diet. In addition to their mono unsaturated fat content, peanuts also contain other nutrients such as vitamin E, folate, protein and manganese that in numerous studies have been shown to promote heart health.
Full of antioxidants
Not only do peanuts contain oleic acid, the healthy fat found in olive oil, but research shows these tasty legumes are also as rich in antioxidants as fruits.
Practical tip
To lower your risk of cardiovascular and coronary heart disease, enjoy a handful of peanuts or other nuts, or a tablespoon of nut butter, at least four times a week.
Help prevent gallstones
Women who eat at least one ounce of nuts, peanuts or peanut butter each week have a 25 per cent lower risk of developing gallstones. Since one ounce is only 28.6 nuts or about two tablespoons of nut butter, preventing gallbladder disease and is as easy as packing one peanut butter in a sandwich for lunch each week. Having a handful of peanuts as an afternoon snack, or tossing some peanuts on your oatmeal or salad is also a good idea.
Lowers risk of weight gain
Although nuts are known to provide a variety of cardio-protective benefits, many avoid them for fear of weight gain. People who eat nuts at least twice a week are much less likely to gain weight than those who almost never eat nuts.
Here are some crisp recipes:
- Spreading some nut butter on your morning toast or bagel.
- Fill a celery stick with nut butter for an afternoon pick-me-up.
- Sprinkle a handful of nuts over your morning cereal, lunchtime salad, and dinner’s steamed vegetables.
- Or just enjoy a handful of lightly roasted nuts as a healthy snack.