Setton Farms Pistachio Nuts Make Perfect Snack

Sept. 16, 2009 - PRLog -- Terra Bella, CA - Setton Farms (http://www.settonfarms.com) pistachio nuts offer a healthy snack alternative to high refined carbohydrate snacks.  More and more research shows tree nuts, like pistachios, may provide a positive impact on satiety and weight management as well as a number of chronic illnesses.  Good news as American’s obesity rate tops all other countries, and an ever increasing number of people are looking for answers to the problem.

Pistachios make a perfect snack food because they can be considered nutrient dense. Nutrient dense foods contain considerable amounts of vitamins and minerals for the calories they provide. Pistachios give you 3 g of fiber and 6 g of protein in one ounce, and are a good source of at least 5 nutrients, such as copper and thiamin. They provide only 2 g of sugar/ounce.

Setton Farms California pistachio nuts contain an abundance of vitamins and minerals, providing health conscious individuals with a tasty snack. A one-ounce serving contains 49-shelled nuts (more than any other nut) and more than 10% of the Daily Value for dietary fiber, thiamin, manganese, phosphorus and copper. The large number of nuts in the serving may give one a full feeling, thus playing a positive role in weight management.

When reaching for snacks, consider the following points concerning Setton Farms pistachio nuts:  A one-ounce serving of pistachios equals 49-shelled nuts -- more nuts per serving than any other nut. Pistachios are naturally cholesterol-free.  Pistachios contain monounsaturated fat, similar to that found in olive oil, that may lower both total and LDL "bad" cholesterol levels, which may help reduce the risk of heart disease.  The pistachios contain 61 mg/ounce of phytosterols, the highest of any nut, which may help maintain a healthy cholesterol level.  One can get as much dietary fiber from a serving of pistachios as a 1/2 cup of broccoli or spinach. A serving of pistachios has as much thiamin as a 1/2 cup of cooked rice. One serving of pistachios has as much potassium as half a large banana. More pistachio nut nutritional information may be found at the Setton Farms website http://www.settonfarms.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=pistachio...

In 2007, the US Department of Agriculture, Agriculture Research Service, Western Human Nutrition Research Center (USDA ARD WHNRC) and the International Tree Nut Council Nutrition Research & Education Foundation (INC NREF) joined forces for a 2 1/2 day symposium on nuts and health.  According to Janet King, PhD, co-chair of the symposium and past chair of the 2005 USDA Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee, “Many people consume as much as 25 percent of their total caloric intake from snacks.  If we could replace snacks high in refined carbohydrates with just 1/4 to 1/3 cup of nuts per day we could have a positive impact on nutrient density and the risk of chronic disease.”

Moreover, regular nut consumers do not weigh more than those who do not consume nuts despite eating roughly 250 additional calories per day.  “Research shows that nuts can actually help maintain body weight,” states Maureen Ternus, M.S., R.D., and Executive Director of INC NREF.  “Tree nuts (such as pistachios) contain beneficial unsaturated fats (mono- and polyunsaturated fats), protein and fiber, all of which provide a feeling of fullness.”  In addition, studies have shown that the fat in nuts may not be fully absorbed and there may be an increase in energy expenditure (the calories burned when you’re resting) with regular nut consumption.

To access the 2007 Nuts and Health Symposium proceedings in the September 2008 issue of Journal of Nutrition go to http://www.nuthealth.org

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Setton Farms (http://www.settonfarms.com) entered the pistachio nut industry in 1986 and they have perfected the industry standard of flavored pistachios with flavors like Habanero/Jalapeno, Garlic-Onion, Hickory and Chili-Lemon. The newest flavor Asian-soy is now available, with more flavors in development. Their advanced product development, flavor selections and package designs generate excitement within the industry. For more information visit http://www.seetonfarms.com
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