Is it just us or you too feel that your appetite doubles during winters? For some reason everything just tastes better during these months, doesn’t it? 

Snack breaks with hot mugs of tea, coffee or cocoa look even more inviting and are essential to staying awake (gentle reminder: humans do not hibernate). 

During those mid-day hunger pangs we often find ourselves reaching out for dried fruits and good ol’ nuts. Yes, we believe in snacking healthy! 

Plain or salted, eating them is just so satisfying, especially at this time. The problem is that the line between satisfaction and guilt is pretty thin or so we think. 

Contrary to general belief, nuts and seeds do not increase weight. To help you understand their potent power we have compiled some hardcore facts that explain why their nutty goodness is essential for our bodies during these tough, cold months. 

Let’s munch the winter blues away! 

    1.Build a strong foundation 

Prevention is definitely better than cure and always will be. Do you think flu and common cold stand a chance when you eat almonds (5-6 ideally) everyday? 

Potassium, calcium, phosphorus, vitamin E, iron, protein and other nutrients present in almonds protect cells from damage, help reduce inflammation and are essential to healthy immune system function. 

Whether you eat California almonds or Mamra, you can reap all these health benefits! No wonder almonds are considered one of the highest immunity booster foods. 

     2. Keep yourself toasty 

Winters can be harsh and being uncomfortably cold certainly dampens the spirits. But, our love for whole nuts is not uncalled-for. 

Did you know that eating walnuts, almonds, cashew nuts and peanuts can make your body warm? 

The healthy fats we consume insulate the body and since they take longer to digest, our body ends up creating more heat than usual.

The best part is that being tiny they are so easy to carry. A couple of us even remember stuffing some in our pockets on the way to school when we were kids! Did you do that too? 

    3. Get glowing skin from within 

A lesser known fact about these tasteful treats is that they provide hydration to your skin and hair. We bet you didn’t know that! 

Antioxidants and omega-3 fatty acids present in walnuts help you get silky hair, smooth skin and even a sharp brain. Beauty and brains, what a perfect combination. 

Feeling creative? You can even whip up some simple masks to enhance your beauty.  

    4. Lose weight by eating (yes you read that right) 

This is where we talk about feeling guilty about snacking on nuts and this is where your guilt ends. 

The beauty of eating nuts, dried fruits and seeds is that they’re all rich in fibre. Fibre makes you feel fuller for longer, aids digestion and thereby helps in losing weight. 

Researchers have also found that our bodies absorb fewer calories from nuts as compared to other foods. 

Not only this, a study also showed that people who eat two or more portions of nuts per week are much less likely to put on weight, compared with people who rarely consume them! 

    5. Take care of your heart and of your loved ones too 

It’s time we discuss the elephant in the room. Heart diseases are on the rise and are getting alarmingly common amongst young people. 

Whether it’s due to our sedentary jobs, unhealthy eating habits or poor mental health our hearts are in dire need of some love (pun intended). 

Unsaturated fats, fiber, vitamin E and omega-3 fatty acids are some heart-friendly nutrients present in most nuts. Tree nuts like almonds and walnuts improve blood cholesterol. 

And, flavourful pistachios help lower blood pressure. Pistachios are the best nuts for lowering both your top and bottom readings! 

    6. Don’t let your energy levels dip 

Lots of warm, fuzzy layers, cozy blankets and large meals can make us feel lethargic in winter.

Making dried fruits and nuts a part of your breakfast will definitely help you feel energetic for a long time during the day. 

We recommend eating a small bowl of mixed nuts, seeds and dry fruits like almonds, raisins, walnuts, cashews, pistachios, blueberries, pumpkin seeds and sunflower seeds to kickstart your day! 

Proteins, vitamins, minerals, healthy fats and antioxidants present in them make them one of the richest energy sources! 

    7. Satisfy you cravings 

Do you want to know the real reason why nuts are so delicious? Because they are sweet, ever so slightly bitter, salty, crunchy and munchy! 

Remember, their complex taste and benefits are best enjoyed when we consume them slowly and chew them well. 

Decorate them as garnishes, add texture to your salads, make your gravies richer and healthier or open a small pack on your way to the office. These mouth-watering munchkins will never disappoint you, we promise!

Share with us your unique way of consuming dried fruits and nuts this winter. Please write to us at info@gonuts.in, we’ll be thrilled to hear from you!