Nut varieties
Walnut
Thanks to the efforts of breeders, there are at least 15 varieties that differ in frost and drought resistance, ripening time, and fruit size.
The most popular varieties are:
- Dessert is an early-ripening, drought-resistant variety, the best option for the southern regions.
- Elegant is an unpretentious, frost-resistant, unpretentious type of nut that can grow and bear fruit everywhere.
- Abundant - has an exquisite taste, is highly resistant to brown spot, but does not withstand severe frosts. Cultivated in regions characterized by high rainfall and a warm, humid climate.
- Fruitful - winter-hardy, abundantly fruiting variety, moderately resistant to brown spot. Can grow in all regions.
- Aurora is a variety that is resistant to frost and various diseases and is cultivated everywhere.
- Dawn of the East is one of the most frost-resistant and unpretentious types of walnut, characterized by early ripening, growing throughout the middle zone.
- Giant - distributed throughout Russia, has large fruits, the weight of which can reach 10 g.
- Ideal - popular in the northern regions of the country due to its incredible frost resistance and high yield. The tree prefers moderately moist, well-lit areas.
The nutritional value
Walnuts will enrich the body with a large amount of vitamins and microelements. And the leader in vitamin C content is not lemon or even black currant! It is the hero of this article that will help fight colds and saturate the body with vitamin C. It also contains unsaturated fatty acids, steroids, fiber, and alkaloids.
Walnuts can boast of their nutritional value - the ratio of proteins, fats and carbohydrates:
- Proteins – 15.6 g;
- Fats – 65.2 g;
- Carbohydrates – 10.2 g.
Chemical composition
Nutritionists recommend that you definitely include walnuts in your diet, since they contain all the elements necessary for the human body:
- vitamins (A, B-1,2,6,12, C, K, PP);
- amino acids (valine, glutamine, aspargine, cysteine);
- polyunsaturated fatty acids (folic, oleic, gallic, lanolin);
- micro- and macroelements (phosphorus, magnesium, potassium, sodium, zinc, manganese, iron).
Depending on the soil, variety, climate, presence or absence of proper care, the composition and percentage of certain substances may change.
How many calories are in a walnut?
The energy value of ripe walnuts is very high - even those who don’t bother too much with counting calories in foods know this. Ripe walnuts show a significant calorie content even in 1 piece - more than 60 calories. But just half a glass of fruit will provide you with energy for 5-6 hours. This is very convenient if, for example, you don’t have the opportunity to have a snack or have a long flight. Doctors believe that although the Greek (or rather, walnut) nut has a high calorie content, its vitamin and mineral composition fully justifies the consumption of 4-5 nut kernels per day, even by those who adhere to a weight loss diet. In this case, it is better to “work off” the extra calories in the gym than to deny yourself a real vitamin bomb.
Many people mistakenly believe that the caloric content of the kernels of young walnuts is lower than that of fully ripe ones, since they are less bitter, which means they contain less omega-3 acids. Yes, indeed, bitterness is felt more in fully ripened fruits, but as a reaction of oxygen penetrating through the shell with acids. But their volume remains unchanged.
Calorie content and BZHU
Walnut is considered one of the most high-calorie foods. The energy value of 100 g of peeled kernels ranges (depending on the variety) from 630 to 670 kcal.
The composition of the BJU is as follows:
- proteins - 16.3-17.8g;
- carbohydrates - 11.2-16.04 g;
- fat - 60.3-71.9 g.
Of these, monounsaturated and polyunsaturated (healthy) fats account for approximately 55.2-65 g, and less than 5 g remain for saturated (harmful) fats. The rest of the weight comes from water (about 4 g) and dietary fiber.
The calorie content of 1 walnut depends on its size, for example:
Nut weight (g) | Calorie content (kcal) |
5 | 32 |
7-8 | 50 |
10 | 63 |
Microelements
Microelements contained in walnuts are represented by the following list of nutrients:
- iron – necessary for the formation of hemoglobin in the blood, provides the body with oxygen;
- zinc – lowers blood sugar, preventing diabetes;
- fluoride – promotes the absorption of iron and stimulates hematopoiesis;
- selenium – reduces the development of tumors, promotes the elimination of heavy metal salts;
- copper – delivers oxygen to tissue cells, maintains normal blood composition, strengthens the immune system;
- cobalt – actively participates in the synthesis of DNA and amino acids;
- manganese – affects hematopoiesis, brain function and the health of the sex glands;
- iodine – participates in the synthesis of thyroid hormones and is necessary for the growth of tissue cells.
Minerals | 100 grams contain | % of daily consumption |
Iron | 2.89 mg | 29 |
Zinc | 3.10 mg | 21 |
Fluorine | 685 mcg | 17 |
Selenium | 4.9 mcg | 9 |
Copper | 1.59 mg | 53 |
Cobalt | 7.3 mg | 73 |
Manganese | 1.9 mcg | 95 |
Iodine | 3 mcg | 2 |
The table shows the content of microelements per 100 g of nuts
Benefits of walnuts
The unique composition of the walnut determines its beneficial properties as a remedy that can:
- have a beneficial effect on the gastrointestinal tract;
- increase the elasticity of blood vessels;
- normalize heart function;
- improve memory;
- raise the level of intellectual development.
It contains substances that can:
- cleanse blood vessels from cholesterol;
- normalize insulin levels in diabetic patients;
- reduce the risk of heart disease;
- prevent the development of malignant tumors;
- prevent age-related vision deterioration;
- promote weight loss;
- improve the condition of skin, nails, hair.
Walnuts, which are high in calories, can be useful for people of different ages and both sexes.
For men
Eating nuts daily will make up for the lack of calcium, zinc and magnesium, which normalize the production of the male hormone testosterone, which stimulates the secretory activity of the gonads. This will help the stronger sex maintain masculine strength and libido for a long time.
The zinc contained in nuts has a positive effect on the formation of the gonads in adolescents, and in adult men it significantly reduces the risk of developing prostatitis, prostate adenoma, and impotence. Walnuts can increase sperm activity and fight certain types of male infertility.
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They are also recommended for older men who want to maintain an erection at the proper level.
Also, walnuts can help build muscle, since they are a powerful source of protein, vitamins that regulate the process of protein breakdown and synthesis of muscle tissue, and substances that will relieve the feeling of fatigue, help quickly restore strength after training, and fill the body with energy.
For women
Retinol (vitamin A) contained in walnuts can have a beneficial effect on the condition of hair, nails, and skin, eliminating wrinkles and sagging. Vitamins E, B6, C, being the strongest natural antioxidants, will slow down the aging of the body and help preserve female beauty for a long time.
Mono- and polyunsaturated fats, saturating the body with all necessary nutrients, eliminate overeating, promoting weight loss and maintaining a healthy weight.
Also components of walnuts:
- reduce the risk of developing breast cancer;
- protect the nervous system, helping a woman resist stress, nervous exhaustion, and depression;
- strengthen the female body’s immunity and resistance to various types of infectious diseases;
- prevent the development of varicose veins;
- will help restore blood loss after heavy menstruation;
- will reduce the likelihood of early menopause;
- normalize hormonal levels.
During pregnancy
A walnut (the calorie content of 1 nut is 32-63 kcal) for the expectant mother will become a source of folic acid (vitamin B9) - a substance that will ensure the normal course of pregnancy and several times reduce the risk of developing pathologies of the neural tube of the fetus, as well as the heart, blood vessels and genitourinary system. systems of the unborn child.
Ingredients of walnut:
- amino acids will regulate specific processes aimed at maintaining pregnancy and stimulating the proper development of the fetus;
- Omega-3 fatty acids normalize the functioning of the stomach and intestines, relieve constipation, heartburn, and increased gas production - unpleasant companions of pregnancy;
- the vitamin complex will strengthen the immunity of the expectant mother and her baby, normalize the production of hormones, and, playing the role of a natural antidepressant, will help cope with fatigue, depression, and insomnia;
- iron will raise hemoglobin levels and reduce the risk of developing iron deficiency anemia, a common problem in pregnant women;
- microelements will strengthen a woman’s spine and relieve lower back pain, which usually occurs towards the end of pregnancy due to high weight load. Phosphorus and calcium will satisfy the fetus’s need for these elements, which it needs to form the skeleton, and it will not “claim” the mother’s reserves. Magnesium will help remove excess fluid from the body and relieve swelling in late pregnancy;
- phytosterols will cleanse the blood of excess cholesterol and prevent negative changes in blood vessels and the heart caused by increased stress on them during pregnancy.
When breastfeeding
With reasonable consumption of walnuts, a nursing mother has a chance to make milk more nutritious and, at the same time, not harm her own figure.
Nuts will saturate breast milk with substances that the baby needs for growth and development:
- complex of vitamins;
- useful minerals;
- protein, which contains 2 dozen essential amino acids, which are the “building material” for all body systems;
- natural fatty acids.
Pediatricians advise nursing mothers to include this product in their diet if the child is not gaining weight well, has low hemoglobin, or suffers from constipation: all these problems can be solved by eating walnuts. Regular consumption of it is also beneficial for the woman herself, since it will strengthen her immunity, eliminate the development of anemia and help her forget about problems with the gastrointestinal tract, bad mood, migraines, and chronic fatigue.
For children
The product is contraindicated for children under 3 years of age, but older children can enjoy it.
Walnut will be a source for them:
- amino acids necessary for normal growth;
- carbohydrates that provide energy;
- microelements that will stimulate brain function, allowing the baby to develop intellectually faster;
- macroelements (in particular calcium and phosphorus), which will strengthen bone tissue;
- vitamin that supports immunity and protects the child from various infections.
Unlike other products containing all of the above substances, nuts contain no cholesterol and few carbohydrates. They are able to regulate fat metabolism and do not lead to the formation of subcutaneous fat, which means they can be consumed even by overweight children.
Walnut is needed:
- young athletes;
- little scholars;
- children who have had infectious diseases, suffer from anemia, and get tired quickly;
- adolescents during puberty.
Beneficial features
The benefits of walnuts in nutrition were discovered by folk healers in ancient times. Avicenna used them to create various potions to stop bleeding, and oriental doctors used them to strengthen the heart, liver, and even treat tuberculosis. Nowadays, different parts of walnuts are included in the composition of tonic, anthelmintic and disinfectants used in official medicine. Healers still use the leaves of the plant to stop bleeding.
Fresh nuts also benefit the body. They are constantly eaten by residents of the Caucasus, who are famous for their excellent health and longevity. They are sure that it is thanks to the walnut that they do not have vision problems.
Improved mental performance
Many have noticed that the shape of the walnut kernel resembles the hemispheres of the brain. This is not a coincidence. The plant stimulates the synthesis of about 40 neurotransmitters - biologically active substances that support brain activity. Walnuts also fight mental fatigue, so they are recommended to be included in the diet of intellectual workers.
Normalization of the functions of the heart and blood vessels
Although walnuts are 65% fat, they reduce cholesterol levels in the blood due to their Omega-3 complex and minerals. This product is included in therapeutic diets for arterial hypertension, atherosclerosis and other cardiovascular diseases.
Walnuts contain gamma tocopherol rather than the more common alpha tocopherol. This form of vitamin E is better for the body and provides protection for the heart. The product maintains optimal blood chemistry, contains antioxidants and anti-inflammatory substances, improves the elasticity of vascular walls, preventing their damage.
Prevention and treatment of diabetes mellitus
Doctors recommend that their patients eat walnuts to prevent and treat type II diabetes. This product helps control insulin and sugar levels involved in metabolism. The main benefit of walnuts for diabetics is to reduce the risk of heart and vascular problems.
Cancer prevention
The unique chemical composition of walnuts makes them an important element in the diet of most people. The only exceptions are those for whom the product is contraindicated. The antioxidants contained in nuts minimize the risk of developing cancer of the breast, prostate and other organs. A number of properties of the product help reduce inflammatory processes, under the influence of which healthy cells mutate into malignant ones. Walnuts prevent the development of the oxidative process, and when it occurs, they prevent it from becoming chronic.
Walnuts in sports and dietary nutrition
Despite the high calorie content of walnuts, their regular consumption helps reduce body weight. Scientists at the University of Louisiana in the USA came to this conclusion. They conducted a study in which two groups of people participated: walnut lovers and those who do not eat walnuts at all. The researchers wanted to find out how much impact the product had on weight.
It turned out that people who regularly eat walnuts are generally slimmer than those who completely refuse them. Scientists explain that reliable prevention of obesity is provided by anti-inflammatory components contained in the kernels of the plant.
Proteins, vitamins, microelements and polyunsaturated fatty acids make walnuts an essential element of a healthy diet. For people who play sports, they help relieve physical fatigue due to essential oils and fiber. High protein content accelerates muscle gain.
Benefits for men
It has been scientifically proven that walnuts enrich the male body with zinc, magnesium and calcium, and also improve the synthesis of the sex hormone, which ensures normal potency. Green nuts are especially useful. They are rich in vitamins E and P, which have a positive effect on male sexual function. For these purposes, it is better to eat nuts together with dried fruits or honey.
Thanks to their antioxidant properties, walnuts prevent the risk of developing prostate adenoma. There is a hypothesis that they stimulate sperm production, which increases the chances of conception.
Benefits for women
Walnuts bring invaluable benefits to women, especially those planning a pregnancy. They have a positive effect on the condition of the fetus, providing it with important microelements and vitamins for growth and development. If a mother continues to eat walnuts after giving birth, her milk becomes richer and sweeter. As a result, the baby begins to suckle better and gains weight faster.
Harm and contraindications for use
Walnuts, which are very high in calories, can be dangerous if consumed in excess or if you consume stale, rancid fruits.
You should consume nuts with caution (or exclude them from your diet) if:
- large overweight, obesity (due to high calorie content);
- tendency to allergies (the nut contains substances that can cause an allergic reaction);
- under 3 years of age (it is difficult for a child’s stomach to cope with such an abundance of fats, in addition, the baby may choke on a nut);
- increased blood clotting (calcium contained in nuts can provoke the development of thrombosis in this pathology);
- inflammation of the pancreas, when you should avoid any fatty foods, including nuts;
- intestinal disorders (walnuts are a rather heavy food);
- skin diseases (even a small amount of nut can lead to an exacerbation of the disease).
Composition and beneficial properties of walnuts
Nutritional value of walnuts
Calorie content
In fact, walnuts are considered one of the most nutrient-dense of all nuts. Its calorie content is 642 kcal per 100 g.
This nut, like the Brazil nut, is a record holder for calorie content, as it contains many healthy fats.
Walnut fats
Typically, fats make up 62% of the nut's weight. This is significantly higher than that of hazelnuts, almonds or peanuts. Walnut fats are mainly unsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids. Particularly noteworthy is linoleic acid, consisting of 18 carbon atoms and two double bonds.
This is a very important fatty acid. The human body cannot do without it, especially in childhood. It is involved in the formation of nerve tissue and antibodies, and also lowers cholesterol levels in the blood.
Another type of linoleic acid with 18 carbon atoms and three double bonds is an Omega-3 fatty acid.
It is this fatty acid:
- prevents inflammatory processes in the body;
- prevents the formation of blood clots in blood vessels;
- lowers cholesterol;
- helps proper brain development in children;
- has an antidepressant effect.
Finally, walnuts are one of the best sources of Omega-3 acid among all plant sources.
Its content in walnuts is approximately 7%, that is, 6.8 g per 100 g of product. A person’s daily need for this fatty acid is from 1 to 2.5 g. Thus, we see that it is enough to consume 28-30 g of walnuts (3-4 pieces) per day to replenish the daily requirement of Omega-3. However, this is not all that walnuts are good for the body.
Walnut proteins
The percentage of high-quality protein in walnuts is 14.5 g per 100 g of product. This is almost the same as in almonds and more than in peanuts. Walnut protein, as well as bean protein, lacks the amino acid methionine.
In order to get all the necessary amino acids and therefore get a complete protein, walnuts must be combined with foods rich in methionine.
These are cereals - rice, oats, buckwheat, wheat, as well as sunflower seeds and sesame.
The combination of walnuts and cereals is especially beneficial, since the deficiency in cereals of two other essential amino acids (threonine and lysine) is compensated by their high content in nuts. Therefore, the combination of walnuts and grains provides a complete protein that is nutritionally equal to or even superior to meat protein.
Carbohydrates
Walnuts contain very few carbohydrates - 13.5%. Moreover, these are oligosaccharides (dextrins) and very little sugars (sucrose and dextrose). Therefore, this product is recommended and well tolerated by diabetics.
Walnut Vitamins and Minerals
Walnuts are an excellent source of B vitamins. They contain vitamins B1 (thiamine), B2, B3 (niacin) and B6 (pyridoxine). Vitamin B1 ensures good functioning of the heart and nervous system. Vitamin B6 is needed for brain function and is also involved in the production of red blood cells.
At the same time, walnuts are relatively poor in vitamins C and A.
Another thing that walnuts can be useful for the body is their minerals. Moreover, walnuts are excellent suppliers of many, including rare, microelements.
- Zinc. Walnuts are rich in zinc: 2.75 mg per 100 g. This is more than in meat and fish. Zinc deficiency in the body leads to a weakened immune system and slow wound healing.
- Copper. This trace element is found in abundance in walnuts - 1.4 mg per 100 g. This is more than in most products of animal and plant origin. Copper is involved in the absorption of iron and helps prevent anemia.
- Manganese. Walnuts contain quite a lot of this important microelement - 2.9 mg per 100 g. Only soybeans, hazelnuts and legumes are superior in manganese content. Animal products (meat, eggs, fish) are low in manganese. This microelement is needed to maintain reproductive functions. Manganese deficiency leads to infertility in both sexes.
Daily value of product
In order for walnuts to bring only benefits and not cause unpleasant effects, it is necessary to consume it only within reason, remembering the high calorie content of the product. The daily norm depends on several factors: gender, age, lifestyle, and the presence of any diseases.
For healthy men and women aged 17-45 years, whose activities are not associated with excessive physical exertion or intensive sports, the limit is:
Floor | Daily norm (pcs.)* | At one time (pcs.)* |
Women | 12 | 4 |
Men weighing up to 80 kg | 21 | 7 |
Men weighing more than 80 kg | 27 | 9 |
* means medium sized nut.
If the diet contains other types of nuts, seeds, halva, nut butter, the amount of nuts must be reduced. With a sports diet, the norms are different and are determined depending on the type of sport and the physical data of the athlete.
In addition, the maximum number of nuts:
- if you are overweight, you should limit it to 2-3 per day;
- after 45 it is recommended to reduce the daily intake by a third;
- older people over 60 should eat no more than 3 nuts per day;
- during pregnancy, the maximum daily intake is 5 pcs. per day, and if you are prone to allergies - 2;
- When breastfeeding, it is recommended to start consuming foods no earlier than the baby turns 2 months old; the maximum daily intake is 2 nuts. Subsequently, the norm can be increased, but the total amount of nuts should not exceed 30 g per day - this is quite enough to increase the calorie content of milk.
It is not recommended to give nuts to young children. It is advisable to introduce them into the diet no earlier than 3 years (some pediatricians believe that no earlier than 5 years), starting with ¼ of a nut. It must be crushed and added to any dish. Then you can gradually increase the norm, bringing it to 2-3 nuts (for children under 4 years old). Children 5-6 years old can, in the absence of contraindications, eat up to 4 nuts per day.
Calorie content
Calories in walnuts are a stumbling block that haunts people who are watching their waistline and are afraid of gaining excess weight. On the one hand, they can be understood, because the number of kilocalories is indeed impressive. 100 grams of this delicacy contains 654 kcal. But this figure seems scary only at first glance. If you look in more detail, then for 100 grams of walnuts there are as many as 50 pieces of fruit. Even the most avid nut lover cannot eat such a quantity of fruits in a day.
Accordingly, the weight of one fruit is only 5 grams.
Doctors and nutritionists say that the daily requirement of walnuts, which can be safely consumed without harm to the figure, is 4-6 fruits. By observing this dose, you will get the maximum benefit from such a tasty and valuable delicacy.
To prove with facts the absolute safety of such a number of nuts for the figure, we will make detailed mathematical calculations and calculate the calorie content of several pieces of fruit.
If 100 grams contain 654 kcal, then, accordingly, 10 grams of nuts contain 65.4 kcal, and if one fruit contains only 5 grams, then its calorie content is approximately 33 kcal. Accordingly, eating 6 fruits a day, you get only 196 kcal. Such an amount will in no way provoke excess weight, so all concerns about your figure are absolutely groundless.
The use of nuts in dietetics and weight loss
If you eat nuts in reasonable doses, they will help you lose weight due to their following qualities:
- a unique composition that includes all the ingredients necessary for optimal metabolism;
- the ability to permanently eliminate the feeling of hunger due to plant fiber, which, swelling in the stomach, creates a feeling of fullness;
- in order to digest a walnut, you will need to spend quite a lot of energy: this means that the carbohydrates that enter the body will be used “for their intended purpose” and not replenish subcutaneous fat reserves;
- the components of nuts have the ability to reduce cholesterol levels, which are usually elevated in obese people, clear blood vessels of it and, due to this, restore normal blood flow, starting the processes of self-cleansing of the body and removing all excess;
- pinolenic acid contained in nuts stimulates the production of substances that block the feeling of hunger and relieve pathological appetite.
According to the medical journal Obesity, people who eat walnuts at least once every 2-3 days are less likely to accumulate excess weight.
Based on nuts, nutritionists have developed several types of nut diets, based on the ability of this product to fight excess appetite, replace animal fats with vegetable fats and activate metabolism, including the processes of breakdown of subcutaneous fat:
- A 3-day fruit and nut diet, which will ensure the loss of 2 kg of excess weight. Can be used monthly. Nuts are combined with fruits, fruit juices, vegetable salads;
- A 5-day nut diet will give the effect of 3-4 kg lost. You can repeat it once a month. Nuts are consumed together with kefir, fruit juice, boiled lean beef;
- A 10-day nut diet will ensure a loss of up to 5 kg, and will not require heroic efforts from those losing weight. Nuts are complemented with fruits, vegetable soups, and dairy products. It is possible to consume low-fat cottage cheese and eggs.
However, when using nuts for weight loss, you should remember their high nutritional value: 20 g of the product is enough for a snack, and 100 g is an alternative to a full 3-course meal.
Walnuts for weight loss
Walnuts not only have a positive effect on the body, but also help get rid of extra pounds without harming your health. Fats and acids in their composition affect metabolic processes. Provide better absorption of vitamins and minerals by the body. Proteins are an important component of any diet. They are a stimulator of muscle growth. The process of protein breakdown takes a long time, during which a person does not feel hungry.
During a diet, the body experiences psychological stress. The nut can improve brain function, which helps relieve stress. The fiber contained in the product provides a feeling of fullness.
If you stick to the right diet when losing weight, your body will get rid of excess weight in a short time. You should eat nuts once a day, in the morning, in the amount of 20-30 g. It is better to wash them down with vegetable or fruit juices. In the evenings, the body does not need energy, so you should not eat nuts, as they will be stored in fats.
Healthy breakfast recipes for weight loss
Walnuts, which are too high in calories, are widely used in diets aimed at normalizing weight. However, it must be consumed in small quantities, preferably in the first half of the day, when the body needs energy.
To prepare a delicious dietary breakfast, you can combine nuts with raisins, dried apricots, honey, prunes, and add them to cereals, vegetable and fruit salads.
Fruit salad with nuts
To prepare the dish you will need:
- 2 bananas;
- 1 apple;
- 4 nuts.
Preparation:
- Cut the apple into slices or cubes.
- Mix the mixture with chopped nuts.
- Using a blender, make a sauce from bananas and pour it over apples and nuts.
Oatmeal with fruits and nuts
Ingredients you will need:
- oatmeal is a source of “slow” carbohydrates;
- fruits - fiber, which will create a feeling of fullness;
- nuts are vegetable protein.
Preparation:
- 2 tbsp. l. Boil oatmeal in water.
- Add 50 g of fruit and 1 tbsp to the container. l. crushed nuts.
- Mix everything well.
Norms and rules of use
Nuts are used as medicine, so you need to know what dose can be beneficial.
Scientists call the norm of consumption 4 - 5 pieces per day, but this is not for everyone. Pregnant women and nursing mothers should consult a doctor. They are contraindicated for people who have been diagnosed with allergies, poor blood clotting or intestinal disorders.
It is not advisable to take them on an empty stomach, but they should be eaten in the first half of the day, since walnuts contain a lot of calories and it is easier to spend them during the day. Ideal as a light snack. Proteins are broken down over a long period of time, and the feeling of hunger will pass.
At night, if you lead a healthy lifestyle, you cannot eat nuts. The energy value of walnuts is high due to the fats and carbohydrates contained in the kernels. Energy is spent on vital activity and, if more energy is received than spent, fat begins to accumulate.
Nuts are peeled before use. The shell retains the beneficial properties of the kernel. If the peel has cracks or dark spots, then it is not recommended to eat it. Damaged nuclei will harm the body. Without the shell, it should be stored in the refrigerator, in a paper bag, and fried before use to protect yourself from harmful bacteria.
The product will be more beneficial if used in combination with other ingredients. The calorie content will decrease, but the absorption of elements necessary for humans will increase! Walnuts with honey are used in dietary nutrition. If you mix 50 grams of peeled nuts and 50 grams of honey, the calorie content will be 530 kcal.
Pumpkin cocktail with walnuts.
The cocktail, which tastes like pumpkin pie, will help you lose weight, strengthen the immune system, and have a beneficial effect on your eyes and skin thanks to the vitamin A contained in pumpkin and the complex of amino acids found in walnuts.
Preparation:
- Add 2 tbsp to 350 g of water or natural yogurt. l. vanilla protein powder, 1 tbsp. l. crushed nuts, cinnamon, pureed pumpkin.
- Mix the mixture until the mixture has the consistency of sour cream.
- Beat everything with a blender.
Yogurt with nuts
This dish is a morning dish, but it needs to be prepared in the evening.
You will need:
- walnuts;
- natural yogurt;
- any fruit in any quantity.
Preparation:
- Mix yogurt with chopped nuts in a blender.
- Top the resulting mixture with fruit.
- Sprinkle the dish with coconut flakes and put it in the refrigerator until the morning.
Banana breakfast
Breakfast for those losing weight is prepared quickly, looks beautiful and relieves hunger for a long time.
Preparation:
- Cut the banana into 2 halves and place on a plate.
- Lay out in layers - muesli mixed with chopped walnuts, low-fat cottage cheese, to which natural yogurt has been added (until a paste-like mass is obtained), honey.
The number of ingredients is arbitrary.
Millet with walnuts
A tasty and satisfying dish that will satisfy your hunger for a long time.
To prepare it you will need:
- prunes - ½ cup;
- walnuts - 2 tbsp. l.;
- millet - 1 tbsp.;
- water – 2 tbsp.;
- sugar, salt, butter (if desired).
Preparation:
- Chop the washed prunes and boil for 10 minutes.
- Pour millet into the mass, add salt, add sugar, and cook until tender.
- Put nuts (chopped or whole kernels) into the finished porridge, you can add butter.
How to eat walnuts?
Of course, walnuts are best consumed raw, chewing thoroughly. In addition, walnuts can be ground in a coffee grinder. Ground walnuts can be added to porridges and various pates. In this form, they can be easily digested by those who have difficulty chewing.
Recipe for lentil pate with walnuts
In fact, this pate tastes like liver pate. To prepare this delicious dish we will need:
- Lentils – 1 cup
- Walnut – 100 gr
- Roasted, peeled sunflower seeds – 80 g
- 1 onion
- 2-3 cloves of garlic
- Seasonings to taste
Grind the walnuts and sunflower seeds into fine, uniform crumbs. Then, blend the boiled lentils, sautéed onions and finely chopped garlic in a blender or food processor. Afterwards, mix everything, add seasonings, mix thoroughly. Spread on bread (preferably made from wholemeal flour), garnish with a slice of tomato and herbs. Bon appetit!
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How to properly store walnuts without shells
If nuts are prepared for future use for long-term storage, then it is advisable to leave them in the shell, which will increase their shelf life by up to a year. Shelled walnuts are more convenient to use, but will require special conditions so that all their valuable qualities do not disappear, and the fruit itself does not become moldy and begin to taste bitter.
The following storage options are possible for shelled nuts:
- At room temperature: Requires a dry, dark place. Nuts are stored in a tightly buried glass or metal container for no more than 2 weeks.
- In the refrigerator or dry cellar: place the nuts in an airtight container that is placed on a shelf (not on the door). Here they can lie for about six months.
- In the freezer: with blast freezing, the fruits are stored for a whole year. The appropriate freezer mode should be set in advance so that the temperature there has time to drop to the desired values. It is recommended to divide the nuts into portions, each of which is packed in an airtight container.
Thawed nuts must be consumed within 24 hours; they cannot be re-frozen.
The surface of peeled nuts purchased in a store may contain bacteria, dust, and other contaminants, so before storage they must be disinfected by rinsing thoroughly in warm water and calcining in a frying pan or oven (for an hour at low temperature to remove excess moisture).
In the future, regardless of the chosen storage method, the product must be periodically checked, removing moldy, darkened or other signs of spoilage: they cannot be eaten, even after heat treatment. It is easier to deal with walnuts in the shell: they are placed in any container (linen bags, wooden boxes, glass jars) and stored in a dark, dry place for a year, periodically checking for mold.
Is it possible to lose weight using the product?
Losing weight on walnuts alone, like any mono-diet, is a lot of stress for the body, which will not bring long-term results. Therefore, the idea of eating only 100-150 grams of this product per day and not adding anything else to the diet is definitely a failure for those people who care about their health and figure.
The main rule of a healthy diet is not to set strict restrictions on the consumption of unhealthy foods, but to correctly combine healthy foods and distribute them over even meals throughout the day. Therefore, in order to lose weight, you just need to wisely include walnuts in your daily menu - by adding them to a dish, you can be satisfied with them much faster, and the body will receive a large amount of nutrients with them.
Walnut growing on trees
The best way to consume these fruits is in the morning, as a breakfast supplement.
The fact is that in the evening the human body no longer needs additional energy, and it simply has nowhere to go to get calories. If you take this supplement in the morning for breakfast, then all the calories will be burned during a long, productive day.
Several options for inclusion in the morning diet:
- additive to oatmeal (goes great with berries and pieces of dried fruit);
- a handful of nuts along with fruit (for example, in combination with apples, citrus fruits or berries);
- snack between breakfast and lunch - 30-50 grams in combination with freshly squeezed juice (orange, apple or grapefruit).
It is not recommended to consume it on an empty stomach - this will complicate the digestion process!
Use for various diseases
Medicines prepared from walnuts can be an effective and inexpensive alternative to pharmaceutical drugs.
For example, green walnut tinctures are used:
- for many diseases of the stomach and intestines;
- to eliminate problems of the genitourinary system;
- as prevention of cancer;
- as an adjuvant in the treatment of tuberculosis and leukemia;
- for vascular diseases.
Walnut jam is an excellent and tasty remedy for combating extra pounds, chronic fatigue caused by vitamin deficiency, stress, bad mood and insomnia. It can also improve performance and strengthen memory.
As for ripe walnuts, they are used everywhere in homeopathic medicine for the purpose of:
- alleviating the condition of patients with metabolic syndrome;
- prevention of cardiovascular diseases;
- normalization of pressure in hypertension;
- for anemia, as a means of increasing hemoglobin levels;
- to combat helminths;
- as a harmless remedy for constipation, dysbacteriosis, and digestive problems;
- in the treatment of impotence in men;
- as a prevention of obesity.
The list is not complete, but it is enough to evaluate the capabilities of the walnut, which can become an exquisite high-calorie delicacy, a medicine, and a means of preserving youth, beauty and health for a long time.
Characteristics of the components of walnuts
To treat diseases, you should consume not only nut kernels, but also its other components:
- green fruits;
- partitions;
- nut oil;
- tree leaves.
Young green fruits
Green walnuts have found use in folk medicine.
The beneficial properties of unripe fruits are due to the presence of the following elements:
- iodine;
- vitamin PP;
- vitamin C;
- tannins.
Recipe for green nut tincture:
- Grind 30 pieces of fruit.
- Pour in 1 liter of alcohol. The solution is not stirred.
- Keep for 14 days, then filter.
Take the drug for 1 hour 3-4 times a day. Helps with tuberculosis, genitourinary pathologies and gastrointestinal problems.
Partitions
Walnut partitions are used to prepare tinctures. Their use is recommended:
- for nervous disorders;
- with thyroid disease;
- when vision deteriorates;
- for joint diseases.
Contraindications:
- gastritis and pancreatitis;
- increased blood density.
Tincture and decoction recipes:
Means | Recipe and application |
Tincture |
Take 2 times a day for 2 weeks. Add 10 drops of solution per 100 ml of water. The remedy is used for restless sleep, disruption of the nervous system, as a prevention of thyroid diseases |
Decoction |
After hermetically sealed, the decoction is stored for a year. Open container can only be used for 2 months. The course of treatment is 1 month. The daily dose is 10 ml. Helps in the treatment of fibroids and mastopathy |
Peanut butter
To obtain it, a press is used. After cold extrusion, a liquid mass is formed, which consists of 77% polyunsaturated acids.
The benefits of the oil are as follows:
- promotes effective wound healing;
- has anti-inflammatory properties;
- inhibits cell aging;
- reduces the percentage of cholesterol in the blood.
Only nut oil contains such a rich composition of polyunsaturated acids.
Tree leaves
The leaves contain the following beneficial elements:
- ascorbic acid;
- glycosides;
- vitamin A;
- flavonoids.
Infusions and decoctions are prepared from the leaves, which have beneficial properties:
- painkillers;
- anthelmintic;
- astringent.
Recipes:
Infusion |
Take the product 1 tbsp. l. 4 times a day. In this recipe, dry raw materials are sometimes replaced with fresh ones. One large leaf contains the same amount of essential substances |
Decoction |
Used as an anthelmintic and as a prophylaxis |
After cleaning, a fresh nut leaf is applied to the wound. If boils or pimples occur, use a compress of squeezed juice.
You should not take nuts on an empty stomach. It is better to eat some vegetables or fruits first.