Nuts
10 Easy Snack Ideas to Stay Energized During Office Hours
During busy office hours, a healthy snack can pacify those inevitable hunger pangs between meals. Finding nutritious, dry, and easy-to-store snacks keeps office employees energized and focused. Here are ten simple and healthy snack ideas that can be easily incorporated into a busy workday.
10 Healthy Office Snack Ideas to Keep You Productive
Almonds: The Powerhouse Nut
Almonds are a perfect snack for busy employees during office hours. They offer numerous health benefits and are packed with healthy fats, fiber, protein, magnesium, and vitamin E.
Almonds help lower cholesterol levels, reduce hunger, and manage weight. Their high protein content supports muscle repair, while magnesium boosts energy levels and promotes relaxation. The antioxidants in almonds also protect against oxidative stress, making them a nutritious and convenient option to keep you energized and focused throughout the workday.
Read more: Health Benefits of Different Types of Nuts
Cashews: Nutritious and Convenient
Cashews are a convenient and nutritious snack for everyone. Rich in healthy fats, protein, magnesium, and vitamins, cashews support heart health, boost energy, and improve bone strength. Their high magnesium content helps reduce fatigue and muscle cramps, while the protein aids in muscle repair and keeps you feeling full longer.
Cashews also contain antioxidants that protect against cellular damage and promote overall well-being. Easy to keep and enjoy, cashews are a perfect mid-morning snack during office hours.
Walnuts: Brain-Boosting Goodness
Walnuts are an excellent snack choice for busy employees needing a nutritious boost. Rich in omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, and vitamin E, walnuts support brain health, reduce inflammation, and improve heart health. Their high fiber content aids digestion and keeps you feeling full longer, while the protein provides sustained energy throughout the day.
Walnuts also contain essential minerals like magnesium and phosphorus, which help maintain bone health and muscle function. All these benefits make walnuts a convenient and healthy snack option for staying focused at the office.
Read more: Top 10 Healthy Seeds to Eat
Roasted Pumpkin Seeds: Crunchy and Nutritious
Roasted pumpkin seeds are a nutritious and convenient snack for busy employees. They are packed with antioxidants, magnesium, zinc, and omega-3 fatty acids, offering numerous health benefits.
These seeds support heart health, regulate blood sugar levels, and boost the immune system. Their magnesium content aids muscle function and relaxation, while zinc enhances cognitive performance and immunity. Roasted pumpkin seeds also provide a satisfying crunch and are easy to store, making them an ideal mid-morning snack.
Dried Mangoes: Sweet and Healthy
Dried mangoes are a tasty and nutritious snack during office hours. Rich in vitamins A and C, fiber, and antioxidants, dried mangoes support eye health, boost the immune system, and improve skin health. The natural sugars in dried mangoes provide a quick energy boost, while the fiber aids digestion and keeps you feeling full longer.
Additionally, the antioxidants help protect cells from damage. Easy to store and carry, dried mangoes are a convenient and healthy option to keep you energized.
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4 months ago
Healthy Alternatives to Cakes and Cookies: 7 Delicious and Nutritious Swaps
Cakes and cookies or biscuits, with their delightful flavors and textures, have carved a special place in the ever-evolving culinary culture. Their universal appeal transcends borders, making them beloved indulgences across the globe. However, beneath their sweet charm lie potential health concerns. This article explores the health risks of Cakes and biscuits, offering seven nutritious alternatives to satisfy your cravings.
Health Risks of Cakes and Cookies
Cakes and biscuits, though tempting, come with a set of health risks that should not be overlooked. Here are the key concerns:
High Sugar and Refined Flour Content
Cakes and cookies usually contain sugar and refined flour, causing rapid spikes in blood sugar levels.
Consistent high sugar consumption can lead to insulin resistance, paving the way for diabetes, obesity, high blood pressure, and heart disease.
Read more: Natural Sweeteners: 7 Healthy Alternatives of Refined Sugar
Saturated Fats and Cholesterol Levels
These baked foods often contain solid and highly saturated fats like butter and palm oil, which can increase low-density cholesterol levels.
Margarine or butter used in cakes can contribute to raised cholesterol levels in the blood.
Dental Issues
The sugary and starchy nature of cakes and cookies can contribute to cavities and dental problems over time.
Weight Gain
Cakes are rich in carbohydrates and fats, making them calorie-dense and conducive to weight gain.
Read more: 10 Best Teas for Weight Loss
Blood Glucose Spikes
Sugar is one of the most common ingredients used in baking cakes. The sugar in cakes can lead to higher blood glucose levels, increasing the risk of developing diabetes over time.
1 year ago
Health Benefits of Different Types of Nuts
Nuts are a very popular fruit and healthy food in our country as well as all over the world. But very few people know the health benefits of different nuts. Nuts contain many more nutrients like fiber, proteins, vitamins, which help in curing various diseases. Peanuts, walnuts, pesto nuts, wood nuts (almonds), and cashews have a huge amount of dietary energy. All types of nuts are now available in our country. So, if you develop the habit of eating nuts without salt every day, you will stay healthy and fit. Let's know the nutritional value of different types of nuts.
Peanuts
Peanuts are not actually tree nuts. Rather, it belongs to the bean family. However, conventional nuts and Peanuts contain the same nutrients. Peanuts are rich in antioxidants, vitamins A, D, B, healthy fats, and nutrients. It is rich in magnesium, which reduces the risk of heart disease and stroke. The antioxidants in it maintain good health and a good mood. It helps to reduce asthma problems significantly. A handful of peanuts has 176 calories. The climate and soil of Bangladesh are quite suitable for growing peanuts. Bauphal and Vola are the two places where nuts grow more in Bangladesh. However, the average production of peanuts in Bangladesh is only 500 Kg per acre.
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Walnuts
Walnuts are one of the most popular nuts. It has vitamins B, C, and E. Besides the vitamins it also contains iron, polyunsaturated fatty acids, magnesium, and phosphorus. Walnuts increase brain function, aid digestion, increase immunity and eliminate vitamin deficiency disease avitaminosis. Studies have also shown that walnuts help control diabetes and prevent some types of cancer.
Walnuts are a rich source of omega 3 fatty acids as well as alpha-linolenic acid (ALA). Eating walnuts everyday lowers bad cholesterol and maintains blood flow through the circulatory system. A handful of walnuts has 182 calories. Walnuts are produced in Bangladesh in a very small amount, but most of the country imports them to meet the demand of the urban population.
Hazelnut
Originally produced in Turkey and Italy, Hazelnut is said to be a source of minerals, vitamin E, and polyunsaturated fats. It also has a lot of carbohydrates. These nuts play a good role in protecting the heart and reducing cholesterol. Hazelnuts help reduce inflammation and lower triglyceride levels. It helps in lowering bad cholesterol as well as increasing the level of vitamin E in the blood. 100 gram of Hazelnuts contains 628 calories.
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Almonds
Almonds are rich in Vitamin E and Magnesium. So it keeps hair, skin, and nails well. It also keeps the metabolic process active and normalizes blood sugar. Several studies have shown that wood nuts keep insulin levels right before diabetes occurs. Besides, Almonds help lower the bad cholesterol (LDL), total cholesterol, and oxidized LDL cholesterol, all of which are bad for the heart. So it is especially beneficial for the heart. Almond has low calories that can eventually lose weight. Besides, overweight people also get benefits from Almonds as it can reduce blood pressure. Normally 161 calories are available in a handful of almonds. It grows in tropical regions from Africa to South and Southeast Asia to Australia. In Kishoreganj, some trees can be seen in many places, including Horticulture Center, Prajapatkhila, Katabaria, Latiabad, Yashodal.
Cashew Nuts
Cashew nuts are high in protein, carbohydrates, vitamin A, iron, zinc, calcium, and potassium. It lowers cholesterol and boosts immunity. It also increases fertility and keeps tooth enamel strong. Regular consumption of cashew nuts eliminates many digestive problems. One study shows that a 20% calorie diet from cashews improved blood pressure in people having metabolic syndrome.
Cashew nuts have no significant effect on body weight or blood sugar levels. A handful of cashews contains 155 calories. Cashew nuts are produced in the Chittagong Hill Tracts and Lalmai hills of Comilla. In the Chittagong Hill Tracts, about 400 acres of hilly land were brought under cashew cultivation in 2008. Nevertheless, cashew cultivation has been on a commercial basis in Rangamati since independence. However, a good portion of cashew nuts in Bangladesh is exported abroad.
Read: Top Mango Varieties in Bangladesh
Pine Nuts
Originally from pine trees in Europe, these nuts are high in vitamin E, antioxidants, and amino acids, which boost immunity. It is easily digested, so babies and pregnant women are advised to eat these nuts. These nuts are also useful in resolving brain problems, hair and skin problems. 100 grams of Pine nuts has 673 calories.
Pistachio
Pesto has more vitamins, amino acids, and minerals than all other nuts. It contains copper, magnesium, phosphorus, which cures vision problems and bone problems. Pistachios are high in fiber and help reduce cholesterol levels by lowering bad cholesterol. Besides, it helps raise good cholesterol (HDL). Pistachio helps improve oxidative stress, blood pressure as well as work on reducing weight. However, Oxidative stress is normally a low level of oxidized chemicals that available in the blood that help overcome heart disease. You will get 156 calories from a handful of Pistachio. It mainly grows in Central Asia and the Middle East.
Brazil nuts
Brazil nuts are found in the Amazon Forest. It contains selenium which is one kind of mineral that serves as an antioxidant. Minerals usually helps us to keep the body fit and healthy. Eating a few Brazilian nuts every day delivers 100 percent of the daily needs of selenium. Brazil nuts contain methionine, which contributes to the breakdown of fats and the generation of vital energy from them. You will get 656 calories form 100 grams Brazil nuts.
Read: Different forms of Vitamin D: Benefits, sources of Vitamin D1 vs D2 vs D3
Marcona Almonds
Marcona nuts are a kind of sweet nut from Spain and very popular in the Mediterranean countries. However, it is very popular in the USA, especially in restaurants. But nowadays it is available in retail stores. You are getting zinc, magnesium, potassium, fiber, and iron from Marcona Almonds. 100 grams of Marcona can get you 250 calories.
Final Words
Nutritionists say that, since nuts are a nutritious food, they should be eaten in moderation. Nuts should not be eaten more than 50 to 100 grams per day. However, eating too much nuts can be harmful to the body. It is a fibrous food, and it can cause stomach gas and stomach upset. In addition, nuts are a protein-rich food, and as we take protein with fish, meat and pulses. Hence, taking too much protein can be risky for kidney disease.
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3 years ago