Nuts make the top ten list of super foods (for the full list click HERE) because studies have found that the heart-healthy fats in nuts help knock down cholesterol levels and the high fiber content and protein in nuts help you lose weight because eating nuts fills you up. They also have antioxidants which can help prevent cancer cells making them a super food because they have multiple health benefits.

With that said, don’t go crazy on your nut consumption because they pack a powerful punch to your body, even in small doses. (They are also high in calories in large doses).

Don’t like nuts? Are you sure you’ve tried them all? For example, I hate peanuts, but a couple of my kids love them. My husband likes pistachios and I’m an almond fan. Also consider walnuts, pecans, hazelnuts, pine nuts, and many other varieties. I recommend that you taste different varieties until you crack into one you like.

You can eat them in small handfuls (look for 100-calorie packs to help with portion control.) You can also sprinkle them onto salads and side dishes or add them into baked goods or hot and cold cereals. They add great texture and crunch to lots of favorite recipes.

Here’s a recipe for a great strawberry salad with almonds that I posted a few months ago. My kids gobble it up and say, “This tastes so yummy I don’t even feel like I’m eating salad.”

Click HERE for the recipe.