With peanut allergies on the rise, more and more people are steering clear of these nuts altogether. There’s no arguing that peanut allergies can be extremely serious, and if you are allergic, you should certainly stay away from them. But if you’re not, you may want to take a second look at peanuts.
They’re a great source of protein. And they’re also extraordinarily high in polyphenols — the Arnold Schwarzenegger of the antioxidant family. Yes, peanuts are high in fat. But now we know that, like avocados, they are high in the “good” kind — monounsaturated fat. They also contain magnesium, folate, vitamin E, copper, arginine, and fiber — all of which are known to lower risk of cardiovascular disease.
Here are some tips for getting as much benefit as possible from peanuts:
- Instead of eating peanuts doused with too much salt, combine the roasted, unsalted variety with dried fruits for a tasty snack that is also packed full of polyphenols and other antioxidants.
- Make sure you buy natural peanut butter that doesn’t contain added sugar. Look for brands made from roasted, organic peanuts, since conventionally grown peanuts tend to have high pesticide content.
- And if you’d like to indulge your inner child who still yearns for an occasional PB&J, try natural peanut butter with sliced banana and drizzled with some honey. Believe me, you won’t miss the jelly (or the refined sugar it contains) one bit.
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