California Walnuts | Essential Food for Health

Nuts Are A Smart Choice for Dieters

In 2001 researchers at Harvard published a study showing that dieters who include nuts in their daily diet lose more weight and keep it off longer compared to dieters who avoid nuts.

Many people find this hard to believe thinking that high fat foods like walnuts can’t be beneficial if you’re trying to lose weight. It turns out the healthy fat, fiber and protein in walnuts aid in satiety, an important factor in successful dieting. No one wants to be hungry all the time; adding walnuts to a reduced calorie diet keeps hunger at bay.

Does Regular Walnut Consumption Lead to Weight Gain?

Even if they’re not interested in losing weight, many people wonder if adding nuts to their diet will lead to weight gain. A recently published study, conducted at Loma Linda University in Southern California, addressed this issue and found that regular walnut consumption does not lead to weight gain.

Study participants were asked to add an ounce of walnuts to their daily diet but given no further dietary instruction. After six months walnut eaters had not gained weight. According to the lead researcher, Dr. Joan Sabaté, “If people substitute walnuts for other calories, then eating walnuts will not lead to weight gain, and may lead to improvements in other indicators of health, such as a decrease in LDL cholesterol.”

The Bottom Line

So whether you’re trying to lose weight or maintain your current weight, consider adding a handful of walnuts to your daily routine. You’ll feel more satisfied, and you’ll be protecting your heart health, too!