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Go Nuts!

They may be small, but they make a big difference when it comes to healthy eating

By

Staying Sharp

Updated June 13, 2024

Updated June 13, 2024

A close-up view of various kinds of nuts

Krzysztof Slusarczyk/Shutterstock

Quick Win

Delicious and filling, nuts are packed with nutrients that can support your brain health.

Try This Today

Skip the chips and have a handful of raw, plain, unsalted cashews or almonds instead.
Sprinkle walnuts on your salad.
Top your morning yogurt with pecans.

Why

Nuts are a good source of protein, dietary fiber, omega-3s, and vitamins and minerals that can help support brain health. That's why AARP’s Global Council on Brain Health recommends people eat them regularly in its 2018 report “Brain Food.” Best of all, nuts are easy to add to your diet as a snack or topping, or as part of a more elaborate recipe. The only caveat is that they can be high in calories, so the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics recommends you stick to a portion size of about 1 ounce, which is a small handful.

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Legal Disclaimer: Staying Sharp, including all content and features, is offered for informational purposes and to educate users on brain health care and medical issues that may affect their daily lives. Staying Sharp is based on a holistic, lifestyle approach to brain health that encourages users to incorporate into their daily lives activities that are associated with general wellness. Nothing in the service should be considered, or used as a substitute for, medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Features including the Cognitive Assessment and Lifestyle Check-Ins, Additional Tests, exercises, and challenges assess performance at a particular moment in time on certain discrete cognitive tasks. Staying Sharp games are intended for entertainment and recreational purposes only. Various factors may affect performance, including sleep, tiredness, focus, and other social, environmental, or emotional factors. Performance is not indicative of cognitive health and not predictive of future performance or medical conditions.

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