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ORGANIC News |
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Here
Organic Nuts continue to make news…the good news being that organic nuts are very nutritious and considered a prime snack between meals. The bad news for organic nuts is the mandate by the USDA to require raw almonds, to include organic raw almonds, be PASTEURIZED or CHEMICALLY TREATED before shipment.
This mandate was based on two incidents in the last ten years where the dangerous Salmonella Bacteria was responsible for several illnesses. This involved two commercial handlers of California almonds, neither of whom handled certified organic growers. This decision resulted in a rather passive response from the Almond Board of California leaving the certified organic almond growers bewildered. Presently, several organic nut growers are challenging this mandate through the courts. The Cornucopia Institute is actively working for the organic nut growers to have this decision reversed. For more information, please visit www.cornucopia.org and you will find a prominent link at the top of their Home Page.
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Finally
there is credible research that proves tree nuts are actually good for
you…not the fatty culprits portrayed on the USDA Food Pyramid.
Everyone
needs some fat to stay healthy. Fat
components in our food provide flavor, and supply calories that give you
energy. It is important to
know that there are “good fats” and “bad fats”. Unsaturated fat, the good fat is found in organic nuts, other plant
food and fish. These fats may
lower your cholesterol and your risk of heart disease. Saturated fat, the bad one is found mostly in animal and whole fat
dairy products, increases LDL cholesterol (the bad stuff) and increases
the danger of heart attack and stroke.
So…if you
are trying to figure out how to eat smart and stay healthy, there are
several good reasons to choose organic nuts. Frequent consumption of nuts has shown to reduce the risk of
chronic illness such as heart disease, diabetes, and some forms of cancer. Organic nuts are loaded with essential minerals and vitamins,
especially vitamin E, the antioxidant. They also contain critical amino acids and are an important source
of fiber. Organic nuts are also a good source of protein, especially
almonds and walnuts.
The key to
including organic nuts in your diet without adding extra fat and calories
is portion control. As little as one hand full (approximately one ounce) of
organic nuts per day can provide numerous nutritional benefits.
Breakfast: Sprinkle chopped organic almonds, pecans or walnuts on your yogurt,
hot or cold cereal, or in cream cheese spreads for bagels. You can also chop and add to your favorite organic pancake, waffle
or muffin recipe. Try our
Organic Golden Wheat flour for your needs.
Snacks: Organic tree nuts are perfect as a tasty snack between
meals and research has shown that they may keep you full longer; protein
sticks to your ribs longer than carbohydrates.
For better
portion control, divide your organic tree nuts into one-ounce portions and
store them in individual bags. This
way, you can simply grab a bag of almonds, pecans or walnuts on your way
out the door, or keep a few bags on hand in the car or in your desk for
easy snacking, it’s best to keep the nuts in the refrigerator at home
for freshness or in the freezer for long-term storage.
Appetizers: Add organic almonds, pecans and walnuts to any cheese and cracker platter or simply serve them in a bowl to enjoy. Main Dishes: Organic nuts can be added to soups, salads, vegetables and pasta for your health and enjoyment. If you are interested in the details of the research on nuts, please visit: http://www.nuthealth.org PLEASE DO NOT FORGET TO EXERCISE!
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