Does Nut Eating Lead to Weight Gain?

Are you a nut lover? When it comes to snacks, nuts are certainly one of the healthier alternatives, but what if youre watching your weight? With their high fat and calorie content, many people are concerned that reaching for that jar of nuts is a sure recipe for weight gain. Is nut eating likely to wreck havoc with your diet?

Of course if you eat too much of anything, youll experience weight gain and nuts are no exception. With a calorie content ranging anywhere from 150 to 220 calories per ounce, nuts arent a low calorie food. Despite this, studies show that nut eating may actually help to promote weight loss if not eaten in excess. Plus, the additional health benefits gained from eating nuts is a positive.

A study published in the journal Obesity showed that people who eat nuts two or more times per weight have a lower risk of weight gain than those who avoid eating nuts entirely. Even more surprising is the fact that studies have shown that eating nuts without cutting back on the rest of your diet still may not result in weight gain as would be expected due to the additional caloric intake.

Why might night eating be beneficial for weight control? Nuts are a rich source of several key components including protein, fiber, and monounsaturated fats. Protein and fiber are thought to promote a feeling of fullness which may reduce the urge to snack on less healthy foods that would be likely to cause weight gain.

Most people report that nut eating satisfies their hunger and reduces their urge to snack on less healthy foods during the day. The monounsaturated fats found in nuts are a beneficial form of fat that may help to reduce levels of LDL (the bad cholesterol) and protect the heart. Theres also some question as to whether the monounsaturated fats in nuts are completely absorbed when nuts are eaten. This could mean that not all calories from nuts are being fully utilized by the body.

Although nut eating may be a positive even if youre trying to lose weight, eating too many nuts could still make it difficult to get into those size six jeans. Its best to practice portion control by measuring out an ounce of nuts and restricting yourself to only that amount. Nut eating directly out of the jar is a sure fire way to end up eating too many nuts at one time.

The bottom line? Nut eating can be a healthy habit and may even help you lose those excess pounds. Just practice moderation.