Trust me when I say this – you are nuts if you do not love nuts! I mean, who does not? If you are one of those who avoid nuts because they are ‘full of fat’, then I am truly sorry for saying this, but you are missing out on one of the best things. Well, let me clear this confusion. Whether you are on a diet or not, you should know that there are two types of fats – good fat and bad fat. As far as nuts are concerned, they are absolutely healthy as they provide you with good fats. Not to forget that seeds are also a good source of fat, same as the nuts.

Are Nuts actually good when on a Paleo Diet?

One of the most frequently asked questions is whether or not you should eat nuts and seeds on the paleo diet. So what exactly is paleo to begin with? This diet is now being constantly taken up by people in Australia and it mainly consists of fish, lean meats, vegetables, nuts and seeds. Although most people are aware that nuts and seeds are allowed, they are hesitant to consume them as they think that it might stop them from losing weight. We have always had this concept that fats are bad for our body, which is not at all true.

Nuts and seeds contain various nutrients which we are otherwise deprived of, if not consumed. Despite the fact that these nutrients can be consumed in many other forms, but when you are on paleo diet, these would be the only source to get them. They have various health benefits such as less risk of getting cancer, heart attack and improved cholesterol levels. Consuming nuts and seeds on paleo helps in satisfying sugar cravings and keeps you full for a longer time. It also improves your body’s ability to burn the stored fat.

What nuts to go for when on Paleo?

Besides peanuts, almost all nuts are considered paleo.  Peanuts do not belong to the family of nuts and are in fact, legumes- which are strictly not allowed on paleo diet. Now coming towards which 7 nuts and seeds you should include in the paleo diet are almond, cashews, flaxseeds, pine nuts, walnuts, sesame seeds and macadamia. They all are a good source of nutrients and should be added to your diet. Other than fish, these are the only source of omega-3 fatty acids, which is very important.

All of these provide you with protein, fibre, plant sterols, vitamins, mineral, antioxidants and numerous other nutrients. You can eat nuts in various forms. They taste even better when roasted, especially almonds. It is very easy to learn how to dry roast nuts and they taste really nice as well. You can even add them to your salads. Similarly, you can add sesame seed to your salads and other meals. Nuts and seeds are a great snack to munch on whenever you feel hungry. However, it is important to consume them in limit as they are high in calories and anything in excess is bad for your body.