When it comes to weight loss, there are multiple dietary issues to pay attention to. It's not just about what you eat, but also when you eat. Nuts are often considered a healthy snack option, packed with essential nutrients and healthy fats. However, understanding the best time to eat nuts for weight loss can make a significant difference in your journey towards shedding those extra pounds.
The Best Time to Eat Nuts for Weight Loss
Remember that while nuts can be a valuable addition to your weight loss plan, they should be part of a well-balanced diet that includes a variety of foods to ensure you get all the essential nutrients your body needs otherwise eating nuts could lead to weight gain, not weight loss. Consulting with a healthcare professional or a registered dietitian can also provide personalised guidance on incorporating nuts into your weight loss journey.
In the Morning
Starting your day with a small serving of nuts can help curb mid-morning hunger pangs. When you consume nuts the protein and healthy fats provide sustained energy, preventing the need for sugary or high-calorie snacks during the morning. Almonds, walnuts, or cashews are excellent choices for a morning pick-me-up, either a small handful at your desk or mixed into your morning cereal.
Before a Workout
Eating nuts about 30 minutes to an hour before a workout can be really beneficial for weight management. The protein and healthy fats help maintain your energy levels during exercise, allowing you to work out more efficiently and potentially burn more calories. Additionally, consuming nuts post-workout allows the protein in nuts to aid in muscle recovery.
With Lunch
Including nuts in your lunch can contribute to feelings of fullness and satisfaction. Add them to a salad, sprinkle them on top of your main dish, or enjoy a small serving as a side. The fibre in nuts can help control your appetite, making you less likely to indulge in unhealthy snacks in the afternoon.
Make sure to balance what you're eating during the day, though. Simply adding nuts to your lunch may not support weight loss if your diet consists of unhealthy foods or more healthy foods than recommended. If you simply add nuts into your diet, this could cause you to gain weight.
As an Afternoon Snack
The mid-afternoon slump is a common time for cravings and reaching for unhealthy snacks. Having a small portion of nuts can help you stay energised and prevent mindless snacking on calorie-laden treats. It's essential to choose unsalted or lightly salted varieties to keep sodium intake in check.
Replacing your mid-afternoon snack with nuts is a great option for controlling your intake of unsaturated fats. Nuts are full of healthy fat and will often have fewer calories than most other afternoon snack options.
Before Dinner
Consuming a small serving of nuts before dinner can help you control your appetite during the main meal. This can prevent overeating and aid in portion control. This is a great way of keeping your body weight in check long-term and can do wonders for blood pressure, brain health and more!
As a Nighttime Snack
If you're looking for a healthy bedtime snack, nuts can be a good option. They provide a source of sustained energy that can help stabilise blood sugar levels throughout the night. However, it's crucial to stick to a small serving, as large portions of nuts before bedtime may interfere with sleep due to their calorie content.
A Nutrient Powerhouse
Nuts are a nutrient powerhouse and an excellent addition to your diet. They offer a combination of healthy fats, protein, fibre, vitamins (like vitamin E and K), and minerals. They are also rich in antioxidants, which contribute to overall health.
One of the key components that make nuts beneficial for weight loss is their ability to fill our stomachs. Due to their high fibre and protein content, nuts help keep you feeling full and satisfied for longer periods, reducing the likelihood of overeating during meals or snacking on less healthy options.
Despite their numerous health benefits, nuts are calorie-dense. Therefore, portion control is crucial when incorporating them into your weight loss plan. A small handful of nuts can provide you with the necessary nutrients you need without adding excessive calories to your daily intake.
Ripe’s Best Nuts for Weight Loss
For those in the office looking to lose weight whilst working, we’re here to help. We stock some of the best nuts for weight loss and they are hand-picked by us from the best fruit and veg markets in London. Here are some of the best nuts to eat during your weight loss journey.
- Whether raw or salted, our almonds are a popular choice due to their mild flavour and versatility. They are relatively low in calories and high in protein, fibre, and healthy fats.
- Walnuts are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, making them one of our favourite choices for heart health. They are also high in antioxidants and fibre for weight loss.
- Cashews are creamy and rich in flavour. They are lower in fat than some other nuts but still provide healthy fats and protein. And I think we can all agree that cashew nuts are delicious too!
- We love how creamy and pleasant Brazil nuts are. They’re popular because of their high iron and protein content, as well as dietary fibre, but we love their tastiness.
- Macadamia nuts are great for their high magnesium content and anti-inflammatory properties, not to mention their creamy texture and flavour. Ours are hand-selected at the best fruit markets in London to ensure the best quality.
We hope you've found this useful! Nuts are a great snack to help with weight loss, but, as we said, they are nutrient-dense (which is great) but also calorie-dense, so please enjoy them responsibly. You may also find our best fruits for weight loss post helpful too - it breakdowns the best fruits to enjoy during your weight loss journey.
If you want to reduce your body mass index and start feeling the health benefits of a healthier diet, perhaps others in your office do too. Well, Ripe can help. We deliver fruit, vegetables, snacks and pantry supplies to workplaces across London. We’re committed to high standards of produce and delivery. For more information, visit our shop page to start eating healthier and working better.
