How Walnuts Trick You Into Eating Healthy
This nut may hold the key to losing weight and curbing cravings.
© flydime via Wikimedia Commons
The Nutty Truth
Do you always get hungry between meals? You find yourself reaching for the most convenient snacks, even if they're not always the healthiest. Nuts are by far one of the best snacking options out there. They're packed with nutrients and can keep you satisfied much longer than processed food.
Research shows that one nut in particular may be beneficial to your diet on a neurological level. And that, ladies and gentlemen, is the walnut.
The Science
A study conducted by the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center found that participants who drank a smoothie containing walnuts reported feeling less hungry than participants who consumed smoothies without walnuts. Not only that, the participants who consumed walnuts craved junk food less.
The study has evidence for this using fMRI tests, which maps brain activity. The participants were shown pictures of both "less desirable food" (a.k.a. vegetables) and "highly desirable food" (a.k.a. mouthwatering food porn). After consuming walnuts, they started focusing on the less desirable photos. This suggests that the walnuts may have lead the participants to make more conscious, healthier food choices.
While it was a small study (only 10 participants), the results could radically impact the way we think about dieting. We already know that willpower alone is often not enough to change eating habits. But if we can eat our way to a healthier brain, so to speak, we can make conscious eating an easy and attractive option for everyone.
Like this article? Check out the 10 foods that won't break your diet.
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Dive into summer with this fresh, light and healthy mango salad!
INGREDIENTS
- Peanuts
- Carrot
- Mango
- Rocket
- 2 limes
- Olive oil
- Soy sauce
- Red onion, minced
- Salt
- Pepper
METHOD
- Lightly sautée the peanuts until golden.
- Take the carrots and cut into thin slices.
- Peel the mango and slice into thin strips.
- Squeeze the juice from 2 limes into a bowl, and add olive oil, soy sauce, minced onion, salt and pepper.
- In a bowl, toss together the mango, carrot, rocket, and lime-soy dressing.
- Enjoy!
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