Nuts have always had a place in seasonal baked goods, as party snacks and even as Christmas stocking stuffers. In the old days, though, nuts were thought to be high-calorie, high-fat indulgences. But now, study after study shows that nuts pack a nutritional wallop — at least when eaten in moderation. Since 2003, the Food and Drug Administration has allowed labels for most nuts to say that there is good evidence they lower the risk of heart disease. A word on allergy Nut allergies, especially peanut allergies, are common, and reactions can be severe.
Be sure to let guests know when you add nuts to a dish.
Don't bring a dish with hidden nuts to a potluck dinner. You could spoil someone else's holiday in a single bite.
One study this fall found that a diet rich in fruits and vegetables that also included the healthy fats found in nuts, avocados and olive oil was more effective at controlling heart risks than a traditional, higher-carbohydrate heart-healthy diet. And a study in mice with Alzheimer's-like symptoms hinted that almonds might be a potent brain booster.
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