Why Nuts Belong on Your Thanksgiving Table

If you check out the ingredient lists on Step One Foods products, you’ll see a common theme—they’re packed with nuts.

Why?

Because nuts are exceptionally beneficial for cardiometabolic health!

The Health Benefits of Nuts

For starters, nuts are rich in healthy fats and fiber, which help lower cholesterol levels and reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes. Plus, nuts contain L-arginine, a compound that dilates arteries, improves blood flow, and helps lower blood pressure.

All these health benefits contribute to significantly improved health outcomes. A  Harvard study involving over 200,000 participants found that those who regularly ate nuts, including walnuts, tree nuts, and peanuts, experienced a lower risk of heart disease compared to those who rarely ate them. For instance, eating walnuts at least once a week was linked to a 21% lower risk of coronary heart disease. 

These findings align with another major trial, the PREDIMED study, which revealed that eating walnuts more than three times a week was associated with a 47% reduction in deaths from heart disease. To put that in perspective, quitting smoking or taking a statin reduces heart disease death risk by 36%. Nuts really are a cardiometabolic powerhouse!

And if you're worried about weight gain - don't be!  Studies have shown that eating nuts does not result in a scale meltdown.  That's probably because nuts are so nutrient dense they fill us up... and keep us full.

No wonder some doctors call raw nuts “little health capsules.” And no wonder you’ll find raw nuts—especially walnuts—in every Step One product.

How to Add Nuts to Your Thanksgiving Feast

Now that you know how beneficial nuts are for health, here are a few ideas to incorporate them into your Thanksgiving meal - while still keeping things tasty and festive.

Add Nuts to Your Stuffing

No matter what type of stuffing your family enjoys, tossing in a handful of pecans, cashews, or walnuts can enhance the flavor and make the dish healthier overall.

Serve Nut-Inspired Desserts

From pecan pie to nut loaf, there are plenty of nut-centric desserts that can become part of your Thanksgiving tradition. So go ahead and bake with nuts!

Top Steamed Veggies and Salads with Nuts

Sprinkle slivered almonds over lemony green beans or top a salad with pomegranate seeds, sliced pear, and walnut pieces. These side dishes are loaded with nutrients good for both your heart and your waistline - and also look fantastic on your holiday table.

Serve Nuts as an Appetizer

Offering a bowl of raw nuts as guests gather is a great way to start the meal on a healthy note. Raw nuts are always the best option, but lightly salted varieties work too. You can also mix raw and salted nuts together to reduce sodium content.

And What if You're Allergic to Nuts?

Unfortunately not everyone can eat nuts. The good news is that similar nutrients can be found in flax and chia. Those might be harder to incorporate into a Thanksgiving meal (although chia pudding can be AMAZING), but you have 364 other days to add those in. And, of course, Step One Foods is loaded with flax and chia too.