Nuts on the Go!

When you are hungry and don't have the time for an elaborate snack, there is no better energy booster than peanuts and they are good for you too. Peanuts are easily available anywhere and are a much healthier snack than a sandwich or a thepla or any other gain rich food. Peanuts are rich in protein and satisfying.

The main pitfall for all diets is that they are full of unsatisfying foods. Satiation is an important factor which is often ignored while prescribing diets. If the food is not filling and satisfying then you will not last on the diet. Diet means a way of eating. It has to be a healthy lifestyle change that you can maintain in the long run, and not just a fad. So, nuts is one of the best additions to your diet. They are full of fatty acids which are required for our heart health and are satiating. Among those, peanuts are my favorites as they are cheap, and therefore affordable for everybody. They are versatile.  You can not only add them to salads, poha and upmas, but roasted peanuts are a good addition to vegetable preparations. Peanuts taste great in dry and wet chutneys, and increase the protein content of those. They can be added at the time of marination, gravies or dipping sauces. If you have a tendency of acidity, removing the sprouting end of the peanut helps. Also, according to Ayurveda, the best way to eat peanuts is by soaking them overnight and then eating them in the morning. This makes them easier to digest and also prevents peanut allergies. If you suffer from full-blown allergy of peanuts try it with caution. Soaked peanuts have a sweet taste and very different from their roasted counterparts. They can be added whole to salads and gravy preparation. Peanuts can also be sprouted slightly to increase their nutritional value multiple fold.


Carrying nuts in a bag is convenient and you are always prepared with a healthy snack. They are much healthier than grabbing a some random snack on the go and can be eaten anywhere. Even at your work desk or while driving. A handful at a time is the right amount. Ideally, a blend of walnuts, almonds, peanuts should be made and carried as a snack. There are many other wonderful nuts available in different parts of the world, but these are the ones easily available in India. Each nut has it own blend of MUFA and PUFA, the healthy fats. Add them to your diet and maintain your weight and health.