Chestnuts

1. Chestnuts Compared to other nuts, chestnuts contain the most vitamin C. … Chestnuts are quite different from other nuts because they are low in fat and calories (200 calories per 100g) and are a significant source of carbohydrates, similar to other staple starch foods like potatoes, corn and rice. Chestnuts have the highest amount of naturally occurring vitamin C compared to other nuts, containing 40mg of vitamin C per 100g of chestnuts. What are Chestnuts? Chestnuts are not your typical tropical nut. They are a cool-season edible nut found in the Northern Hemisphere, in the hilly forests of North America, Europe, China and Japan. Frosts and snowfalls are beneficial to the chestnut tree and enable them to produce better crops. Chestnuts are encased in a prickly outer casing, called a burr, that falls to the ground and opens up once they ripen in the autumn. Inside the burr, the chestnut is shiny with a brown peel and the inside is creamy white and starchy tasting. There are 4 different varieties of chestnut growing all over the world, the more common one being sweet chestnut. Do not confuse edible chestnuts with horse chestnut because they are completely different plants and horse chestnut is toxic. Chestnuts have a long history in Europe and was even mentioned by Galen, a prominent Greek physician during the Roman Empire. Historically, chestnuts were an important carbohydrate-rich food for forest dwellers in Europe, who did not have access to starchy foods like wheat or potato. Chestnut bread was a common food in Europe and in some areas, sweet chestnut trees were called “The bread tree”. In both France and Japan, chestnuts are served as a delicacy at New Year's celebrations because the peak season of availability is in December. What are Chestnuts used for? Source of vitamin C – Chestnuts are high in vitamin C, containing 40mg per 100g of nuts raw chestnuts. After heating chestnuts, the vitamin C content decreases by about 40%, so eating raw chestnuts is the best way to get the most vitamin C. Vitamin C is needed to strengthen the immune system, repair connective tissue and is a potent antioxidant. Read more about vitamin C here. Reduces cholesterol and stabilizes blood sugar – Chestnuts are a good source of fiber, which is known to reduce cholesterol. Fiber binds to cholesterol in the intestines so it can exit the body through the stool, which then lowers overall cholesterol levels. Fiber is also important for regulating blood sugars because complex carbohydrates digest more slowly. This allows for a slower release of sugar into the blood stream, which prevents insulin spikes and reduces your risk for diabetes. Avoiding insulin spikes is a very good way to support weight loss too. Celiac disease– Chestnuts are naturally gluten-free and are very versatile for cooking and baking. Then can be used in a number of different gluten-free recipes and ground roasted chestnuts make a great alternative to wheat flour. How do you use Chestnuts? You can eat peeled chestnuts raw, however they can have an astringent taste, which is a dry, puckering sensation in your mouth. Most people prefer roasted chestnuts because they taste nutty and sweet. Chestnuts are roasted with their peel on and then are peeled while they are still hot because a cooled chestnut is almost impossible to peel. To learn how to roast chestnuts, click here. Peeled, roasted chestnuts can be ground up in a food processor to make a substitute for wheat flour and is tasty in gluten-free recipes. Chestnuts work well in savory recipes and in sweet dessert recipes – there are so many recipes to try! Chestnuts combine extremely well with chocolate and are a staple in many decedent European desserts. What kind should I get? To get the best chestnuts, look for fresh chestnuts from October to December. Choose ones that are hard, shiny, unblemished and heavy for their size and do not rattle when shaken. You can buy organic chestnuts, but they may be harder to find. Choosing organic is a great way to ensure you are getting the healthiest choice available. Chestnuts are more perishable than other nuts and should be treated more like vegetables and fruits when it comes to storage. Refrigerate chestnuts in a perforated plastic bag for one week or freeze in an airtight container for one month. Discard any nuts with mold. Alternatives Chestnuts are considered a tree nut and belongs to the Fagaceae plant family. Many people have allergies to tree nuts and then may also have an allergy to chestnuts.

2. I f you are allergic to chestnuts, try seeds like pumpkin, sesame, chia, and sunflower. Raw seeds can also provide essential Omega 3 fatty acids, minerals and antioxidants to benefit your health. For other healthy snacks consider dried legumes like chickpeas or soy beans, which are high in fiber and protein. Nutritional Information Chestnut Quick Facts Parts Used Seed Applications · Source Of Vitamin C, Weight Loss, Cardiovascular Disease, High Cholesterol, Diabetes, Gluten-Free Cooking Dosage 100g Daily Works Well With · Other Nuts And Seeds, Other Superfoods, Antioxidants Important Information Click For Products There Is Not Enough Known About Chestnut Use During Pregnancy And Breastfeeding And Because Of This, It Is Suggested To Avoid Chestnuts During Pregnancy And Breastfeeding. For Informational Purposes Only. Please Consult Your Health Care Practitioner Before Taking Natural Health Care Products. Click Here For Full Disclaimer.