Food Swap: Which Nuts Are Better for You?

Food Swap: Which Nuts Are Better for You?
By Jorge Cruise, Chief Diet and Fitness Expert

Published May 04, 2009
When it’s snack time, reach for a handful of nuts – but not just any kind will do. Ditch the Planters Sweet N' Crunchy Peanuts, which have 13 grams of sugar, and grab a fistful of NOW Raw Brazil Nuts or Planters Deluxe Mixed Nuts. These nuts give you the benefits of "good" fat without the added sugar.
Nuts are packed with monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, which have been shown to reduce cholesterol and lower the risk of heart disease. Brazil nuts are my favorite because they are one of the best sources for selenium, a mineral that can help protect against prostate and breast cancer. Too much selenium isn't good for you, so limit your consumption of Brazil nuts to five a day. Eat a few for an afternoon snack to get a quick boost of energy and protein – plus, you'll feel full until dinner.