Pop a Pecan, Not a Pill

Shape.com

According to the National Pecan Shellers Association, pecans are high in healthy unsaturated fat and just a handful a day can lower “bad” cholesterol. They also contain more than 19 vitamins and minerals including vitamins A, B, and E, folic acid, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, and zinc. Just one ounce of pecans provides 10 percent of the Daily Recommended intake of fiber. Pecans are also rich in age defying antioxidants. In fact, research from the USDA shows that pecans are the most antioxidant-rich tree nut and rank among the top 15 foods with the highest levels of antioxidants. I’m thinking a bowl of Greek yogurt topped with blueberries and pecans may as well be the breakfast version of the fountain of youth!

I had no idea just how good pecans are for you and, since I’m all about getting my nutrients from food, not supplements, I’ll be adding this healthy nut to my diet—and I’m looking beyond pecan pie. Sure it’s one of my Thanksgiving favorites but considering pecan is one of the worst pies for you, I did a little research and found some amazingly delicious yet healthy pecan recipes. My mouth was watering just reading about the 200-calorie goat cheese and pecan stuffed peppers, and I never would have thought to put pecans in my soup! More amazingly, I actually found a pecan pie recipe with no butter and no corn syrup and a raw, dairy-free ice cream recipe made with pecans.

Click here to go to the full article by Karen Borsari