Nuts are a powerful combination of healthy fats and protein, which makes it an excellent staple food for an athletes’ diet. Nuts are easy to digest, plus, when paired with carbohydrates nuts can help balance out your blood sugar. They are also chock full of essential minerals and vitamins, are good for your heart and brain, and are excellent for the repair and protection of connective tissue and bones. This makes nuts the perfect on-the-go snack!
Despite their price, eating nuts are fantastic for your health and can help improve your athletic performance. If you love these delicious morsels you are in luck, so check out which nuts are best for athletic performance.
1. Cashews
This nutritional powerhouse contains more vitamin K, magnesium, copper, iron, selenium, zinc, and phosphorus than any other nut. Low in fat, cashews are excellent for the production of healthy red blood cells and energy.
2. Pecans
Pecans are great for your cardiovascular system, and while they are lower in fiber and protein, pecans are chock full of copper, manganese, and antioxidants. However, they are high in saturated fat, so limit your intake and only eat these nuts on occasion.
3. Brazil Nuts
Brazil nuts are an excellent source of magnesium, B-vitamins, selenium, healthy fats, as well as protein. They also help stimulate the natural recovery processes, protects cells from damage, and can help you build and maintain strong muscles and bones.
4. Walnuts
Don’t walnuts look like the human brain? It’s fitting due to how good these delicious nuts are for your brain and heart. This delicious nut has twice as many antioxidants than any other nut and is extremely high in omega-3 fatty acids.
5. Pistachios
Unlike other nuts, pistachios contain zeaxanthin and lutein, which are excellent for your eyes as they help prevent macular degeneration. They are also very high in vitamins A and B6 and potassium, so they are great for a post workout snack.
6. Almonds
These delicious nuts are full of antioxidants and offer the most vitamin E, fiber, niacin, magnesium, calcium, and protein than most other tree nuts. Almonds can help support healthy and strong bones, and will help you feel full for longer.
