Nuts

Everyone should be aware of the nutritional value of nuts and their importance for one's overall diet. Tree nuts are often good sources of protein and fiber and are high in healthy fats. They also contain several vitamins and minerals. Peanuts are often included with nuts, though they are really a legume. Like all plants, nuts and legumes contain no cholesterol. Nuts, especially almonds, hazelnuts, peanuts, pecans, some pine nuts, pistachio nuts and walnuts, are heart-healthy, may lower bad cholesterol, and may reduce the risk of heart disease. For those watching their weight and caloric intake, the fat, protein and fiber in nuts help you feel full longer, so you may eat less during the day.

In the past, the only nuts I ate were the ones that come wrapped in chocolate and waxed paper, e.g. Peanut M&Ms, Hershey's milk chocolate and almonds. Even with the hard-to-resist chocolate, these were rarely eaten mostly because I was concerned about the sugar (candy's not good for anyone) and because I had this belief that nuts would have an effect on my adult acne because nuts are "yeet hay."

One day on impulse I grabbed a bag of trail mix at the market. The idea that chocolate M&Ms sprinkled with the nuts was an inducement. The certainty that I wouldn't bite down on candy every bite was encouraging. I'd sprinkle an ounce of trail mix into my bowl of oatmeal in the morning. The raisins (I add extra raisins separately) and chocolate helped to sweeten the oatmeal so I didn't have to prrepare it with added sugar. The nuts made me feel sated a little longer until lunchtime. In the afternoon I'll snack on another handful to tie me til dinner.

I've been eating nuts for months now and am glad that I've seen no adverse effects on my skin. I've had to dispel girl-child's fear of nuts that I brainwashed her into believing so she'd be willing to snack on them. Of course, her body's unique and her teen acne - which, I believe, is a whole other animal than adult acne - may or may not increase. My experience should mean something though and hopefully she'll reap the benefits of nuts.