Written by Sylvia Geiger MS, RD, CD, Price Chopper Community Nutritionist

You may have read the recent headlines “ Eating nuts helps control blood sugars” or “Nuts—the new weight loss aid.” Although simply adding handfuls of nuts to your daily intake may not give you miraculous weight loss results or improved blood sugar levels, nuts are healthful and eating them regularly has known health benefits.

Yes, nuts are high in fat—but it’s the healthy kind called monounsaturated fatty acids or MUFAs, which are associated with heart health benefits.  While the fat in nuts makes them a higher calorie food, nutritionists consider these to be “nutrient rich” calories instead of  “empty calories. ”  Nuts are an important source of several nutrients such as: vitamin E, magnesium, copper, phosphorus and they also provide some protein and fiber. Tree nuts such as pistachios, pecans, almonds and walnuts, are also rich in antioxidants, which is thought to be preventative for cardiovascular disease, cancer and Alzheimer’s.

So for a nutrition boost, try to include more nuts in your daily diet. Deliciously Nutty Ideas:

Recipe Ideas using this week’s sale items

All main ingredients are on sale

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