Nuts and Seeds

Nuts have been an important food source for humans for thousands of years. But are nuts healthy? Are some nuts better for you than others? And are there any downsides to consuming them? Discover what you need to know about including nuts in your diet.

They look like little brains, but is it smart to eat them? Walnuts are high in fat, it’s true, but they also contain many beneficial nutrients that may help protect your heart, digestive system, and, yes, your brain. So are walnuts good for you? And what about their environmental impact? Do they use too much water to be sustainable?

From their early days of cultivation to their status as a food of the gods in ancient Rome, walnuts have long provided top-notch nutrition and unmatched flavor. In this article, we dive into the world of walnuts, including the different types, how to store and toast them, and how to include them in both sweet and savory dishes.

Hazelnuts are a delicious food with a lot of health benefits. Unfortunately, the vast majority of the world’s hazelnuts are grown in ways that degrade the environment, harm farm workers, and end up in unhealthy processed foods. Is there a way to enjoy these fabulous nuts without contributing to harm to ourselves or others?

We hear about superfoods all the time — amazing, exotic berries harvested from over 17,000 feet up in the Himalayas, or rare roots found only on Tuesdays three days before a full moon. I’m exaggerating, of course, but the functional food industry loves to sell us extremely expensive products that they claim contain health-promoting powers that don’t exist in “ordinary” foods. It turns out, though, that many of the inexpensive, readily available foods right under our noses are unappreciated “superfoods” in their own right.

Pumpkins are known for their association with the fall holidays. Once September comes around, fall decor and Halloween decorations have already hit stores, and it’s officially “pumpkin spice season.” But pumpkins are so much more than a seasonal decoration or a flavoring for processed and packaged foods. In this article, we’ll explore the health benefits and nutrition of pumpkins and their seeds. And we’ll look at some of the best and healthiest ways to use them in recipes.

Cashews are incredibly versatile nuts (well, drupes), providing creaminess and flavor to Indian and other Asian dishes, commercial dairy analogs, and homemade nut cheeses and “nice” creams. They’re also quite nutritious. Unfortunately, the cashew industry is known for mistreating its workers. So is there a way to enjoy the taste and health benefits of cashews while not contributing to horrible working conditions?

If you’re looking for the healthiest foods to include in your diet on a regular basis, memorize one acronym — GBOMBS. When you stack up all the foods you could eat by how many nutrients they provide per calorie, greens, beans, onions, mushrooms, berries, and seeds top the charts. But how do you get them onto your plate and into your belly on a regular basis? This article shares tips and a GBOMBS meal plan that includes yummy recipes and a shopping list.

Sesame seeds have gone from bun-decorating garnish to culinary stardom, as the Asian and Middle Eastern cultures that feature them have gone global. But are they good for you? And what can you do with them, aside from putting them on burger or sushi rolls? In this article, we’ll say “open sesame” to a cave of seed-based goodness.

Nuts and seeds, consumed in moderation, can be among the healthiest foods around. And one of the ways we love our nuts and seeds is in the form of spreads and butters. But store-bought versions can be costly, and sometimes come with not-so-great ingredients. So how hard is it to make our own healthy nut and seed butters at home?

Flaxseeds are nutritional superstars. They’re rich in omega-3 fatty acids, phytoestrogens, fiber, protein, and lignans. Studies show that they may help fight heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and cancer. But if you don’t eat them the right way, they can go “in one end and out the other.” And both flax oil and flaxseed meal can degrade very quickly. Plus, some critics worry that flaxseed is high in cyanogenic glycosides, phytates, and cadmium — all of which could be dangerous. So is flax good or bad? And how can you eat and enjoy it safely?

Hemp seeds are a nutritional dark horse in the world of seeds. While they’re packed with healthy nutrients and can contribute flavor and texture to dozens of different dishes, most people don’t view them as a pantry staple. This article aims to change that!