5 Processed Foods Dietitians Actually Want You to Eat More Often - Verywell Health

Nuts are one of the most popular snack foods, and for good reason. They’re delicious, nutrient-dense and portable. Plus, there’s dozens of varieties to choose from. Botanically, nuts are considered dry fruits that are enclosed in a hard shell with a protective husk, according to the U. S. Department of Agriculture. Nuts have an exceptionally high fat content and tend to be higher in calories, which is why they can sometimes get a bad rap. “I think over time that has given the nuts this label. Just because they’re energy-dense doesn’t make them inherently unhealthy. They are also very nutrient dense,” Shannon Stockero, dietitian and spokesperson for The Obesity Society, tells TODAY.com. “Nuts are one food that most Americans could afford to prioritize or include more of in their diet,” says Stockero. That’s because nuts offer a range of impressive health benefits. Benefits of NutsNuts are little nutritional powerhouses. They’re rich in healthy, unsaturated fats, which are beneficial for heart and brain health, Stockero notes. The polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats in nuts can also help lower bad cholesterol.