Serves: 5

Peanuts, walnuts and other nuts used to be taboo foods for the health conscious, primarily because they are high in fat. This attitude may be changing as more new reserch shows that nuts have something good to offer.

Peanuts contain resveratrol, the same compound in red wine that scientists believe may lower blood cholesterol levels. Peanuts are also rich in monounsaturated fat, vitamin E and folic acid, all heart-healthy nutrients.

Walnuts are grabbing headlines because they, too, may help lower blood cholesterol levels. A fatty acid in walnuts called alpha-linolenic is believed to reduce the risk for blood clot formation and artery clogging. (Alpha-linolenic accid is related to the omega-3 fatty acids found in fish.) One study found that people who consumed walnut oil had higher HDL levels than those who never ate walnuts or used the oil.

Though nuts have their benefits, they still are considered a higher-fat food, so limit yourself to just a few and eat them only occasionally.

From "Betty Crocker's Low-Fat, Low-Cholesterol Cooking Today." Text Copyright 2005 General Mills, Inc. Used with permission of the publisher, Wiley Publishing, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

More Recipes from the Betty Crocker's Low-Fat, Low-Cholesterol Cooking Today Cookbook:
-NEWS ABOUT NUTS AND CHOLESTEROL
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