So are they good for us or not? It seems that every time we turn around we are bombarded with contradictory messages. What once was considered bad for us is now considered to be the uber food of the year. How do we get to the truth? Well worry no more I’m here to answer that question for you. As with everything the truth lie somewhere in the middle.

While it is true that nuts are a calorically dense, high fat food, they are also chock full of antioxidants (like selenium and Vitamin E), iron, magnesium just to name a few. Moreover the type of fat that are found in nuts are mono-unsaturated which if you remember are the good for you fats; the type of fat that can help lower your total cholesterol and triglycerides as well as raise your good cholesterol. To make the deal even sweeter the fat found in nuts is more metabolically active and is not fully absorbed by the body. A recent study among dieters consuming the same 1200-calorie diet discovered that the group of people who at one serving of nuts 3-5 times per work lost more weight than those who did not.

So what is the best kind of nut you ask? Almonds, followed by Cashews, Walnuts, Pistachios, and Peanuts – although in truth any kind of nut will do. So be happy go nuts, just remember one ounce is one serving, so always read the label.

Calcium: weight loss miracle?

Recent studies have begun to reveal that those individuals with adequate Calcium intake seem to have better success at weightloss and healthier BMI’s. The interesting part is that it was Calcium from food not from supplements

Most of us know that milk, cheese, and yogurt are great sources of Calcium and that 3 servings a day will help us meet our daily requirement, but what about those who are lactose intolerant? What about individuals who are allergic to milk or just can’t seem to bring themselves to drink milk?

Well there are other sources such as calcium fortified juices and cereals, calcium fortified soy milk, rice milk, and yogurt as well as tofu. Vegetables such as collard greens, kale, and bok choy are also adequate sources of dietary calcium. While dairy products do seem to produce the best results providing not only bone building, waste slimming calcium and vitamin D, but they also contain essential B-vitamins.

Aren’t dairy products high in fat? – well not anymore-skim milk contains even more calcium than whole milk. Even better, go to any supermarket and you can find low fat or even fat free mozzarella, cheddar, swiss etc. Bottom line anyway you slice it (dairy or not) calcium it does a body good.