Are Nuts Good Or Bad? - High Cholesterol Message Board

patric46 · 02-27-2004, 03:36 AM

ive been hearing in the media ALOT recently about the health benifits of nuts particularly walnuts...every cardiologist it seems is raving on about how healthy they are... this is very confusing because one serving( a small handfull) contains 20mgs. of fat (but only 1.5 staurated fat)..i know thats there is "good" fat and "bad" fat...still that seems alot for those of us who are watching our fat intake and trying to lower our numbers.. i used to eat alot of cashews and that was around the time i got high cholestrol numbers so i stopped eating them....and my numbers did go down..but i made other dietery changes so i dont know if that had anything to do with it..any one have any input? im all for doing anything thats heart healthy and good for the body but i certainly dont want to raise my numbers.........btw i love the way they taste

zip2play · 02-28-2004, 07:17 AM

I know they are very healthy because of the excellent supply of Omega 3's and a good balance with Omega-6's.
BUT like you, I'm wary. Before Xmas, I found a sale on Diamond Walnuts...ready to eat. ($1.49/pound)...I bought 6 pounds.

The subsequent calorie overdose WASN'T PRETTY. Once I start on nuts, I just CANNOT stop....so no more for me, alas. (You should see me with PECANS...it's a triple-X rated sight!)

electriman · 02-28-2004, 01:03 PM

Nuts are good in moderation. The moderation part is the tuff thing for me LOL. I was able to raise my hdl a good ten points by eating a handful of almonds a day. I tried this after not being able to tolerate niaspan. That was wicked for me. JC

patric46 · 02-29-2004, 06:46 AM

....zip,are you wary because you think nuts CAN raise numbers even in small amounts because of their high fat content?...ive been eating a small handful every day but im a bit worried since im retesting my numbers in a few weeks and i dont want anything to raise my total or LDL.... great news electicman on raising your hdl...did your total or LDL go up too? thats what im most concerned about..

zip2play · 03-01-2004, 06:01 AM

patric,

No, you mis-read me. I think nuts are WONDERFUL for cholesterol numbers if eaten in "sensible" amounts. The only numbers that I worry about going up are the numbers on my bathroom scale from my very UNSENSIBLE amounts.

There's little doubt that walnuts will raise the HDL more than the LDL...unfortunately the effect MIGHT be to raise the total...not necessarily bad, but it will always get raised eyebrows from your GP.

My summary...an ounce a day is a GREAT snack

(a half-pound less great!

)