Go Nuts!

I often recommend that athletes have 1.5 ounce of nuts for a mid afternoon snack and a couple cups of water to stay hydrated between meals. Nuts provide protein to rebuild muscle, healthy monounsaturated fat, antioxidant Vitamin E, potassium for muscle contraction, fiber and phytochemicals that make it a powerhouse of a snack. In the last 5 years, over 100 research papers have been published about the health benefits of tree nuts, mainly its ability to reduce LDL and total cholesterol. Based on the scientific evidence, the FDA approved a qualified health claim for nuts which states eating 1.5oz (42 grams) of nuts per day may help reduce the risk of heart disease, when part of a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol. Go nuts this fall! Help your heart, improve your performance, and curb your appetite going into the dinner hour.