To help combat obesity or just to maintain a healthy weight, proper eating habits and physical activity are essential. Peanuts can help, too. Peanuts contain mono- and polyunsaturated fats – the good fats that should be part of a healthy diet. They help you feel fuller longer than carbohydrate-based foods – making them perfect for snacking. The ideal snack, it’s agreed by young and old, is the proud peanut, a tasty legume.
From heart health to weight management, peanuts are a nutritional choice. They are chock full of protein, fibre and essential vitamins and minerals. They are 100 per cent cholesterol-free and contain oleic acid, a heart-healthy source of unsaturated fat. Available sodium-free, peanuts are an unmodified natural product that positively impacts healthy lifestyles.
Snacks, of course, should only be eaten as part of an overall healthy diet. But it helps if your snack is also nutritious. You shouldn’t rely on snacks that build up cholesterol, pump up bad fats, or deliver too many carbohydrates.
According to
Canada’s Food Guide, steps towards better health and a healthy body weight include:
- Eating the recommended amount and types of food each day
- Limiting foods and beverages high in calories, fat, sugar or salt (sodium)
- Being active every day
According to a September 2005 Leger Omnibus poll, the most popular reason why Canadians believe peanuts are healthy was that they are high in protein (39%).