nutsDo you want to reduce your risk of heart disease? Do you long to stabilize your appetite—especially your sugar cravings? Do you wish you had a fiber rich food that would enhance your dieting efforts instead of sabotage it? Then get nutty over nuts, because when eaten in moderation, they can offer some amazing benefits (including disease prevention) that you have been missing out on!

It Can Lower Your Risk for Heart Disease

Nuts used to have a bad rap—after all, they’re loaded with fat and calories, right? Well, it may be time to consider the tradeoff, as The Iowa Women’s Health Study discovered in 2002.  Nuts (when taken in moderation) can reduce your risk of heart disease by 40 percent! According to this study, when women enjoy a handful of unsalted nuts four times a week, they reduced your risk of dying significantly, and men that eat two helpings of nuts a week reduced their risk of sudden cardiac arrest as well. So eat up—just be smart about your portion control and sodium intake when going ‘nuts’.

It’s the Perfect ‘Filler Food’

Protein is the secret to weight loss success. After all, how can you lose weight when you are constantly hungry? Certain sources of protein, such as almonds, peanuts or cashews (which is the perfect ‘filler food’), is easy on the heart while being filling in your gut—the perfect recipe for getting lean and fit! So, stop indulging in red meat (which is tough on your arteries and can contribute to obesity and heart disease) and grab a handful of unsalted almonds instead. Your waistline will thank you for it!

It’ll Boost Your Memory (So You Can Impress Your Boss!)

If someone told you that all it took to enhance your memory (therefore impress your boss) was some nut consumption, wouldn’t you add this important food to your diet? Of course you would! Cashews, for example, offer your body zinc and magnesium you may not get otherwise. They boost your brain power, so get creative about your cashew consumption and sprinkle them on top of a salad, or spread cashew butter on top of a piece of whole grain toast for a quick snack. In the process, you won’t just save yourself from mid-afternoon starvation blues, but you’ll also impress your boss (by completing spreadsheets at lightning speed or impressing clients with your multitasking skills, for example) with this powerful brainpower booster!

Nuts are rich in essential vitamins and minerals your body needs to thrive, and when eaten in moderation, you can get nutty about the amazing after effects it’s giving you! From a boost in brain power to the filler food your body needs to lose weight in all the right places, it’s time to bring them into your diet, and stop the guilt!