The good news is, eat some nuts. Not all are equally helpful for runners and dieters, though. What's a good anti-inflammatory for us poor 5K trainees ? According to Betsy Noxon, of Runner's World, walnuts do the trick. They are not only rich in plant based Omega-3 fatty acids, they seem to also promote increases in HDL, sometimes called the good cholesterol, while lowering the "bad" LDL levels in the blood. A handful or so of almonds have enough fiber in them that they reduce the absorption of fat and help with a crunchy good feeling of satisfaction. They supply lots of vitamin E, an antioxidant shown to improve heart health and protect against certain cancers. Nut reminder: portion control. (Nuts to that!)
Speaking of that good feeling of satisfaction, let me just point this next tip in the direction of Monica and Marissa, to name just two of you. Dark chocolate, not actually a nut but a bean, really is good for you. Liz Applegate Ph.D., also of Runner's World, brings us joy (Almond Joy?), reminding us of the powerful antioxidant flavonols in the-darker-the-better chocolate. Good for the blood, then, chocolate is also helpful as an anti-inflammatory, important for...me! Eat walnuts dipped in really dark chocolate, I say!
Here's something else I bet you know: don't get the highly processed mixed nuts, with too much added salt and oil. Buy the raw kind and toast them yourselves a little bit in the oven or stove-top. Crunch on!
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