5 reasons hazelnuts are a family-friendly snack

 Need a new snack? Hungry families are turning to a trendy and tasty new. Some of the most popular ways to have hazelnuts - whose nutty and buttery taste is described as umami - are roasted or seasoned. Hazelnuts are highly versatile and may be enjoyed with sweet or savoury dishes.

Fantastic flavor aside, there are five reasons why hazelnuts, also known as filberts, make a great snack for the whole family.

1. Packed with protein and vitamins

This tree nut isn't shy about all the wholesome goodness packed inside its shell. A single one-ounce serving of 21 hazelnuts contains:

* 4 grams of plant-sourced protein, which helps the body do all sorts of jobs like building and repairing skin and tissue.

* 35% of the recommended daily intake of the antioxidant vitamin E, which helps keep everyone's immune systems strong and also lowers the risk of Type 2 diabetes, hypertension and cancer.

* The highest concentration of any tree nut of naturally occurring B9 vitamin, also known as folate, which helps make healthy red blood cells and can prevent neural tube defects when babies are in utero.

2. Provide free-radical fighting manganese

Hazelnuts are high in the mineral manganese, which helps with blood clotting and forming the body's connective tissues and bones. Manganese also is a critical component for antioxidant enzymes that fight free radicals in the body.

3. Are heart healthy

Hazelnuts are great for everyone's hearts because they have no cholesterol. Several studies have shown that they increase the "good" HDL-C cholesterol in the body. They also reduce triglycerides and LDL (the "bad" cholesterol). Furthermore, studies have shown that eating hazelnuts improves artery health and reduces inflammation, thanks to being rich in Omega 6 and 9.

4. Contain fantastic fibre

A single serving of hazelnuts offers nearly 3 grams of dietary fiber, which is more than 10% of a woman's daily recommended intake. Dietary fibre helps to lower the risk of colorectal cancer, lower cholesterol levels and control blood sugar levels. As a bonus, high-fiber foods like hazelnuts are more filling, which means you stay satisfied longer.

5. Offer lower carbs than other nuts

We've all heard that cutting carbohydrates, or carbs, can be an important step in reducing appetite. The good news is that hazelnuts are lower in carbs than other nuts your family might already be enjoying like almonds or pistachios. Moreover, hazelnut butter is more nutritious than peanut butter.

Geri Sonny