Can Nuts Really Help You Lose Weight?

A majority of nuts, including almonds and walnuts, contain good fats that help improve blood circulation and body's metabolic rate. Peanuts and walnuts are also packed with protein and fiber, two nutrients that help stabilize blood sugar as they have low glycemic index. However, be sure to include only a moderate amount of nuts in your daily diet if you aim to lose weight. Some nuts, for example cashew nuts, may prove fattening if eaten in large amounts.

Studies conducted in the past have shown that some nuts can help increase your metabolic rate, which is the amount of calories your body uses when you are resting. Greater metabolic rate indicates that your body will use calories from the fat stored in your body to fulfill its energy requirements. This, in turn, results in weight loss. Almond is one such nut that improves metabolic rate, but be sure not to over consume them as they are rich in calories.

Cashews can make you gain weight only when you eat uncontrolled amount of these nuts in a day. These nuts with unique curves are a rich source of magnesium, which is an excellent element when it comes to metabolism of carbohydrates and fats, which leads to weight loss. Eating about 10 to 12 cashews in a day will do no harm and will aid in weight loss over a period of time.

Nuts help manage your hunger by keeping you satisfied. The feeling of fullness lasts for a couple of hours and thus, you end up eating less after consuming nuts. Nuts are also rich in fiber. For example, an ounce of plain almonds has about 4 grams of fiber, which is equivalent to 14 percent of the daily human body fiber need. Feeling of fullness and consumption of high fiber content, thus, helps lose weight gradually.