Going Nuts over Nuts

If you find yourself craving nut mixes, trail mixes, or peanuts, try peeking at the label.  You may find a whole list of unpronounceable additives like Maltodextrin, a wheat- and barley- derived thickener, and surprising stowaways like Corn Syrup (1,2). When you see this, you know it is time to trade your beloved snack for something less processed, even if the label touts Heart Health and Nutrition.

Discovering the difference between processed nuts and real nuts may be ambiguous at first. Like rice, any additives should be regarded as a red flag.  Buy nuts separately and look for labels that list only Almonds, or only Cashews, or only Walnuts on the ingredient list.  They are generally found hiding among the nut mixes in the same aisle. Good buzzwords to look for are Raw and Whole.  

Try to avoid peanuts; they are a common allergen and susceptible to mold.  For Candida sufferers, any kind of mold hampers the immune system and helps to establish fungal colonies (3).  The same goes for peanut butter. 

If peanuts and peanut butter are foods you crave, start by buying raw peanuts and natural peanut butter. You will know the natural kind visually because the oil has a tendency to separate from the solid, so it must be stirred. The natural kind also lists only peanuts on the label (and maybe a little bit of salt).  A great brand I used to help end my cravings is Adams.

Once you are able to combat peanut cravings, trade your peanuts in for raw Almonds, Cashews, Walnuts, Pecans, Brazil Nuts, Macademia Nuts, Pistachios, and Hazlenuts (4). They are packed full of vitamins, antioxidants, and good fats; and are a great source of healthy carbohydrates for those who have cut out refined carbohydrates.

If you continue to crave nut mixes after switching to raw nuts, try making your own.  Mix varieties together in plastic baggies for quick snacks on the go.  Add sunflower and pumpkin seeds that are raw, shelled and unsalted. Seeds, like nuts, are packed full of vitamins and antioxidants, protecting against cancer and helping to manage disease states (5). I buy my seeds from Vitamin Cottage because they have a great variety and are inexpensive.

For added flavor, try adding sweet spices (ginger, cardamom, nutmeg, cinnamon), or hot spices (chili powder, Cayenne) for a kick. Also feel free to add Salt if your diet permits. Sneak in some raisins if trail mix was a previous staple in your diet.  If you are concerned about the sugar, just rationalize that adding a few raisins will be significantly better for you than the whole processed trail mix Shabam. Slowly work them out over time for their natural 

counterparts: grapes.

Feel free to replace or combine grapes with any fruit. From my experience, rather than grabbing a cliff bar, trail mix, or a granola bar, I find that taking an Apple and a baggie of Almonds on hiking trips gives me needed energy and convenience without the cost to my health or my purse.  

      1)      http://www.fitsugar.com/What-Maltodextrin-293287

      2)      http://www.target.com/p/planters-nut-rition-energy-mixed-nuts-9-25-oz/-/A-12969551

      3)      http://www.candidamd.com/candida/exposures.html

      4)      http://www.everydayhealth.com/diet-and-nutrition/0406/why-you-should-go-nuts-for-          nuts.aspx#/slide-1  

      5)      http://www.besthealthmag.ca/eat-well/nutrition/6-super-seeds-to-eat-every-day?slide=8&rel=1