Walnuts roasting on an open fire. Who eats chestnuts anyway? More likely we coat our cheeseball, sprinkle our desserts, and garnish our buffets with walnuts.
Walnuts have special memories for me during the holidays. Growing up we used to have a dish with walnuts and a nutcracker as part of our Christmas décor. Later I had a walnut tree next to my house and was able to pick them fresh off the tree during December, along with a bunch of mistletoe.
It is actually a good choice to have walnuts make an appearance during the holidays. According to WebMD Health News, walnuts contain an omega-3 fatty acid similar to that found in fish that helps fight heart disease. A recent study showed that walnuts improve cholesterol levels. Although walnuts are high in calories and fat (one cup chopped has over 700 calories and 70 grams of fat!), they also contain a high amount of protein and dietary fiber.
The best way to get the benefits of walnuts without overindulging is to crack the nuts yourself. That way, you will eat less and experience more. In fact, sitting by a fire listening to carols or watching a movie with a plate of walnuts to crack is a wonderful way to spend an evening, not to mention a good way to avoid other less healthy snacks.
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