Why are nuts a hot topic in the news right now?

Why are nuts good for you?

What is cholesterol?

Why should you care about your cholesterol level?

My doctor has put me on a low cholesterol diet. Can I still eat nuts? 

If nuts contain fat, how can they help reduce cholesterol levels?

Are peanuts considered nuts or legumes?

Are nuts good for your heart?

How much fat do nuts contain?

Why are nuts a hot topic in the news right now?

• More and more people are discovering the great news about nuts. While Planters has always known that nuts are good for you, clinical studies have shown that nuts can lower levels of LDL cholesterol, or bad cholesterol, when substituted for food high in saturated fat and eaten as part of a low fat, low cholesterol diet.
  
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• The nutrients in nuts promote overall health in a variety of different ways. Research has shown that nut eaters can actually help lower their cholesterol by substituting nuts for foods higher in saturated fat as part of a low fat, low cholesterol diet. With their unique combination of fats, carbohydrates and proteins, along with a wide variety of vitamins and minerals, nuts can fit perfectly into a healthy diet that is calorie balanced for weight maintenance.
  
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• Cholesterol is a waxy substance produced by the liver and supplied in the diet through animal products. It is recommended that cholesterol intake be limited to 300 mg or less per day. Cholesterol is found only in foods of animal origin. Nuts contain no cholesterol.
  
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• High blood cholesterol is a leading risk factor for heart disease. The higher your total cholesterol level, the higher your risk of cardiovascular disease. It is important to know your cholesterol numbers and what your goal should be by working with your physician. Substituting nuts for foods high in saturated fat is a great way to start on the path for lowering cholesterol as part of a low saturated fat and low cholesterol diet.
  
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• First and foremost, you should always follow your doctor's advice regarding your diet.  Please note that while all nuts are naturally cholesterol-free, dietary saturated fat should be limited. The food label indicates the amount of saturated fat per serving for most food products. On a 2000 calorie diet, saturated fat intake should be limited to 20g a day or less.
  
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• Much of the fat in nuts is monounsaturated and polyunsaturated, the same kind of fat found in olive oil and canola oil. Monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, sometimes called "good" fats, help the body lower cholesterol when they replace saturated fat in the diet. Monounsaturated fats are central to the Mediterranean way of eating. A typical Mediterranean diet is mostly vegetarian with a little fish and meat, and lots of grain and legumes such as nuts.
  
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• Peanuts, contrary to popular belief, actually belong to the legume family, along with beans and peas. Legumes provide the best source of concentrated protein in the plant kingdom.
  
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• Nuts may be heart healthy. Scientific evidence suggests but does not prove that eating 1.5 ounces per day of most nuts as part of a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol and not increasing overall caloric intake may reduce the risk of heart disease. Claim does not apply to Brazilnuts, Macadamias, Cashews, and Pine Nuts. See nutrition page for fat content.
  
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• Many people are aware that fat, the most concentrated source of energy in your diet, is a vital nutrient. It provides essential fatty acids, helps maintain skin, and carries many fat-soluble vitamins such as A, D, E, and K.  The fat content of nuts varies from nut to nut.  To see each individual nut type's fat content please click here .
  
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