Health Benefits of Nuts and Seeds

Thank you Clif Bar for sponsoring this post. I was provided the featured products for free, but all opinions are 100% my own.

We love eating nuts and seeds in our house. Homemade trail mix, raw cashews and chia seeds are some of our favorite treats. You can add seeds ad nuts to oatmeal or your favorite smoothie recipe. Did you know nuts have been shown to decrease the risk of cardiovascular disease and the risk of developing type 2 diabetes (source 1)? Today I wanted to share some of the health benefits of nuts and seeds along with a review of Clif Kit’s Organic Fruit + Seed bars and Clif Mojo Fruit + Nut bars.

Health benefits of nuts and seeds plus a Clif Bar review

Health Benefits of Nuts and Seeds

  • Nuts are rich in monounsaturated fatty acids which according to the American Heart Association have a beneficial effect on your heart when eaten in moderation. Did you know monounsaturated fats can help reduce bad cholesterol levels? That is why so many people recommend eating a handful of almonds every day.
  • Seeds such as flax, chia, and hemp are filled with omega-3 fats which is an essential nutrient. Some studies are showing omega-3 fatty acids protect against heart disease and possibly stroke (source 2). 
  • Lastly, I used to think adding nuts to your diet may cause you to gain weight. When I looked through the research I was stunned! Nuts actually have a tendency to lower body weight and fat mass (source 3). Isn’t that great news?

Enter Clif Bar. I was very excited to try Kit Organic’s Fruit + Seed Bars as well as Kit Organic’s Fruit + Nut Bars. The ingredients looked amazing and it is a quick healthy snack to have around the house. We thought the bars tasted delicious, my favorite flavor was peanut butter. Please note I’m not claiming these bars will heal every disease, but for our family it’s an easy way to add some nuts and seeds into our diet. My family also got the opportunity to taste Clif Mojo Trail Mix Bars. The bars with chocolate tasted like dessert. I had to make sure I hid a few from my husband so I could get some for myself! Both bars are wonderful snacks we will definitely be buying again.

To learn more about Clif Bar products visit www.clifbar.com and be sure to follow them on Facebook and Twitter.

Health benefits of nuts and seeds plus a Clif Bar review

 Resources for this article:

1.  Stephen D. Nash and David T. Nash (2008). Nuts as part of a healthy cardiovascular diet. Current Science Inc, 10, pp 529-535. dii:10.1007/s11883-008-0082-3.

2. Frank Sacks (n.d.). Ask the Expert: Omega-3 Fatty Acids. Retrieved November 20, 2014, from http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/omega-3/

3. Sujatha Rajaram and Joan Sabaté (2006). Nuts, body weight and insulin resistance. British Journal of Nutrition, 96, pp S79-S86. doi:10.1017/BJN20061867. 

Please note the goal of this blog is to share information I find interesting. This is not intended to replace professional medical advice. Please contact your primary care physician if you have specific questions about your health and dietary needs.

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