3 New Ways To Enjoy Pistachios Under 300 Calories
Pistachio pairings: the health-conscious foodie’s new go-to snack. (Photo courtesy of the Pistachio Health Institute.)
They reduce blood pressure, lower “bad” cholesterol, and may help prevent type 2 diabetes, studies show.
No, this isn’t the latest miracle drug — although we do recommend popping a handful, stat. We’re talking about a humble nut, the pistachio.
How do we love thee, little nut? Since today is World Pistachio Day, let us count the ways. A study presented at the 2014 Experimental Biology conference found that when women were told to eat two servings of pistachios daily for 10 weeks — accounting for about 20 percent of their daily calories — the subjects didn’t add any inches to their waists or gain any weight. They did, however, experience significant decreases in blood pressure and cholesterol levels compared to a 10-week control period. And as Yahoo Health recently reported, new research reveals that eating five or more serving of nuts per week was associated with a 26 percent lower risk of death during a 10-year study follow-up period.
Related: The Surprising Way To Prevent Peanut Allergies: Feed Kids Peanuts
“Pistachios have 49 kernels per serving, the most of any nut, and the shells are a visual reminder of how much you’ve eaten,” dietitian Rebecca Scritchfield, MA, RD, tells Yahoo Health. And if you love a salty snack but want to avoid a massive sodium bomb, pistachios are a good option. “Pistachios in the shell will taste salty, but you don’t consume as much because of the salt on the shell you did not eat,” Scritchfield says.
In honor of World Pistachio Day, the Pistachio Health Institute shared three pleasing pistachio pairings with Yahoo Health. Because as we’ve learned from personal experience, the only real problem with pistachios is how easily an entire bag can disappear into a heap of shells.
In-shell pistachios + apples + honey + brie
Photo courtesy of the Pistachio Health Institute
For a sweet snack plate with creamy and crunchy textures, serve 30 pistachios with one cup of sliced Fuji apples, one ounce of brie cheese, and one tablespoon of honey. (Approximately 285 calories.)
In-shell pistachios + toasted coconut chips + chocolate-dipped pineapple
Photo courtesy of the Pistachio Health Institute
Enjoy a satisfying dessert pairing with pistachios, toasted coconut chips, and chocolate-dipped pineapple. For the pineapple, melt about one-quarter of a chocolate bar in a microwavable dish, stirring frequently; dip the pineapple slices, covering half of the slice, and allow the chocolate to firm before serving. (Approximately 275 calories.)
In-shell pistachios + oven-roasted tomatoes + Parmesan crisps
Photo courtesy of the Pistachio Health Institute
This savory appetizer is perfect for parties, and pairing the tomato-topped crisps with salted pistachios means you don’t need much added salt in the recipe. Note: The recipes below are for one serving, so multiply the ingredients as needed for multiple servings. (Approximately 235 calories per serving.)
Oven-Roasted Tomatoes
Ingredients:
• 4 sliced plum tomatoes
• ½ teaspoon olive oil
• 1 minced garlic clove
• 1 teaspoon chopped rosemary
• Salt and pepper to taste
Heat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a baking sheet with foil and set aside. In a small bowl, toss the sliced tomatoes with olive oil. Spread the sliced tomatoes in one layer on the baking sheet. Sprinkle each tomato with garlic, rosemary, salt, and pepper. Roast on the top shelf of the oven for 15 to 20 minutes, until the edges of the tomatoes brown slightly. Makes one serving.
Parmesan Crisps
Toss one tablespoon finely grated Parmesan cheese with 1/8-cup shredded Parmesan cheese. Spoon heaping tablespoons of the mixture onto a parchment-lined baking sheet about two inches apart; lightly press the cheese down with the back of a spoon. Bake at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for five to 10 minutes, until golden and crispy.
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