Health Benefits of Nuts, Seeds, and Grains

Nuts, seeds, and grains may be small foods, but they certainly have tremendous health benefits! 

If you’re looking for reasons to include nuts, seeds, and grains in your diet, then you have come to the right place. Here, you will learn all about the best ones for your diet.

They are not just for flavor and texture because they also have good effects on your health and wellness. Despite their size, nuts, seeds, and grains can definitely change your life for the better!

nuts seeds grains health benefits

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I’ve listed the top ten nuts, seeds, and grains to help you decide which suits your needs best. After this, you will surely be encouraged to add more of these to your diet! 

What are Nuts, Seeds, and Grains?

They may sound the same, but nuts, seeds, and grains have many differences.

Where do culinary seeds come from? You can usually get them from flowers, vegetables, and crops. Use them to add texture and color to your recipes. You can also use most seeds raw or cooked.

On the other hand, nuts are dried fruits inside a shell. Make the most out of nuts by adding them to baked goods and snacks for a crunchy texture and nutty flavor. 

What about grains? According to National Geographic, grains are harvested seeds from grasses like corn and oats. Cooking grains depends on what kind of grains they are.

Nuts, seeds, and grains are all plant-based vegan and vegetarian products you can use for your diet. Later on, you will know how they can affect your health and how you can eat them properly. 

Seeds

seeds

Let’s start with the top eight seeds on the list:

Chia seeds

It’s not surprising that chia seeds are some of the most popular seeds for recipes. They have a mild nutty taste that goes well with savory and sweet dishes. 

When you use them raw, you will notice that chia seeds tend to be crunchy and crisp. But they will have a soft and gel-like texture once you soak them in liquids.

Health Benefits

  • Chia seeds are rich in protein, making them good for your bones, muscles, skin, hair, and nails.
  • They can boost energy and immunity to keep you strong and active.
  • With the help of these filling seeds, you can avoid overeating and cravings. 

These are easy to include in your diet. For instance, you can add them to your water, smoothies, or juices. Chia seeds also make amazing toppings for food like bread, salads, stir-fries, and cereal. 

Flaxseeds

Like other seeds, flaxseeds have a mild nutty, and earthy taste. For a stronger nutty flavor, go with brown flaxseeds. There are also golden flaxseeds for a lighter taste. 

Raw flaxseeds have a silky texture but become smooth, slick, and slippery once they absorb water. They also come in a powder form for a gelatinous finish – these are especially suggested for egg replacement.

Health Benefits

  • According to Real Simple, flaxseeds are great for digestion to give you regular bowel movements.
  • These seeds are good substitutes for meat to get more protein.
  • With the flaxseeds, you can soothe inflammation for faster healing and better skin. 

While you can use raw flaxseeds, remember that grinding them is better for your digestion. Ground flaxseeds are easier to digest and process. Don’t forget to add these to smoothies, granola, soups, and salad dressings. 

Hemp seeds

What do hemp seeds taste and feel like? Hemp seeds are mildly nutty and earthy. When it comes to texture, they are creamier or smoother compared to other seeds. 

Health Benefits

  • WebMD suggests adding hemp seeds to your diet to improve and protect your brain and heart. 
  • These seeds can also help you care for your bones by preventing muscle pain. 
  • Hemp seeds can naturally suppress your appetite, making them excellent for weight loss. 

Because of their mild flavor, you can easily add them to flavorful dishes. I love adding them to oatmeal and yogurt, but you can also use them for coating, smoothies, and milk recipes. 

Pumpkin seeds

Eat raw pumpkin seeds for a light flavor and chewy consistency. You can also roast them to release a deeply nutty and savory flavor. These seeds are sometimes turned into snacks because of how fun it is to eat them. 

Health Benefits

  • Pumpkin seeds are rich in magnesium which can help with better heart health. 
  • Healthline also suggests adding pumpkin seeds to your diet for improved sleep quality. 
  • Regularly using pumpkin seeds can potentially help calm your mind and relieve anxiety.

How do you use pumpkin seeds for your meals? You can use them for fruits, energy bars, cakes, smoothies, and more. In fact, you can have fun eating raw pumpkin seeds because you need to pop them open first!

Sesame seeds

Looking for sweet and nutty seeds? Sesame seeds are one of the best options for you. They have a warm flavor, especially after you toast them. These seeds also have a black variant for a bolder flavor. 

Health Benefits

  • Style Craze says sesame seeds are rich in iron, preventing blood-related problems.
  • They also have anti-cancer properties to protect your body from cancer cells.
  • Sesame seeds can help care for your teeth for stronger and cleaner oral health. 

You can eat raw sesame seeds, but I suggest baking or toasting them first if you want to bring out their nutty quality. You can add these to bread and salads. In fact, you can make Tahini Paste with leftover sesame seeds! 

Pine nuts

Did you know that pine nuts are seeds and not nuts? They are actually edible seeds from pine trees. Pine nuts are buttery and nutty with a soft texture, even when raw. You can bring out more of its quality by roasting. 

Health Benefits

  • Curb your cravings by snacking on these healthy and yummy pine nuts.
  • You can boost energy by eating these pine nuts when you feel tired or sleepy.
  • Improve your skin and hair by regularly eating these seeds. 

Enjoy the extra crunch you can get from pine nuts by adding them to chocolate, cookies, cakes, and granola. Moreover, you can add these to smoothies for a more filling effect.

Poppy seeds

Give your dishes and drinks a pop by with these poppy seeds! They are nutty and mild-tasting, great for adding extra flavor to dishes and drinks. 

Health Benefits

  • Having trouble sleeping? Include poppy seeds in your diet to induce yourself into a well-rested sleep. 
  • Get better vision with these poppy seeds in your meals. 
  • Protect yourself from kidney stones with the nutrients you can get from these seeds.

These seeds are great for sweet salad dressings and desserts. Add them to homemade bread, cakes, and pastries for a satisfying crunch. Alternatively, just toast them for a few minutes and enjoy them alone! 

Sunflower seeds

Inside the firm shell of sunflower seeds is a mild and nutty taste you will love. They may also have a sweet and salty taste. You might have already tried them with your snacks or trail mixes.  

Health Benefits

  • Maintain your healthy heart with sunflower seeds in your recipes. 
  • Help your body fight against health problems with these seeds. 
  • These also have anti-inflammatory properties to promote healing and boost immunity. 

How can you add sunflower seeds to your diet? You can include them in salads, oatmeal, stir-fries, and baked goods. In fact, you can roast them to intensify the nutty taste.

Nuts

nuts

Go nuts for these top ten nuts for your meals:

Almonds

Almonds are some of my favorite nuts because they’re sweet, earthy, nutty, warm, and toasty. They have a chewy quality because they are crunchy and crisp. 

Health Benefits

  • These almonds are good for healthy snacking because they can keep you full.
  • BBC Good Food suggests almonds for improving your memory and overall brain function. 
  • Almonds also have vitamins for your vision and skin.

How can you use almonds for your recipes? Add them to salads, smoothies, baked goods, and dips. I love almonds so much that I made special recipes for Almond Milk, Almond Cake, Almond Oil, and Almond Butter!

Cashews

Compared to other nuts, cashews have a mildly sweet and neutral flavor. They can be crunchy, chewy, or buttery, depending on how you use them. These may also remind you of peanuts, but they are larger in size.

Health Benefits

  • Cashews make excellent cream substitutes for vegan diets. 
  • They are also rich in protein to boost immunity and energy. 
  • You can nourish your brain with cashews for improved memory and focus.

One of the simplest ways to enjoy cashews is to roast them with herbs and spices. Otherwise, add them to stir-fries or rice for new flavor and texture. You can even make Cashew Butter at home! 

Hazelnuts

Have you tried hazelnuts before? I’m sure you also loved how sweet, nutty, earthy, and musty it is. They even have a decadent and buttery texture that feels like they melt in your mouth. 

Health Benefits

  • Hazelnuts are good for digestion because they can keep your gut clean and healthy.
  • They are also good for normal cholesterol levels to help your heart function properly. 
  • Furthermore, hazelnuts can give you better skin, hair, and nails! 

Don’t forget to add hazelnuts to your cakes, baked goods, and cookies. You can also put them as toppings for homemade chocolate. If you’re feeling adventurous, then include them in your salads and pasta recipes! 

Walnuts

Don’t you just love how nutty and earthy walnuts are? They can also taste a bit bitter to balance the flavors well. These are crunchy on the outside and surprisingly creamy on the inside. 

Health Benefits

  • Sleep soundly every night by adding walnuts to your diet. 
  • According to PharmEasy, walnuts have detoxifying effects that can help with digestion and gut health. 
  • Make these your work or study snacks because walnuts can help with improved brain function.

Walnuts are not just healthy and delicious, but they’re also versatile. You can crush them to make a dredge. They also make good ingredients for trail mixes, salads, and stir-fries

Pistachios

Pistachios can surprise you because they can taste earthy, sweet, or nutty. The flavor also differs if they’re raw, roasted, or cooked. For mild flavor, go for young pistachios. On the other hand, matured pistachios have a sweeter and bolder taste. 

Health Benefits

  • Boost the antioxidants in your body with vitamins you can get from pistachios.
  • They are also loaded with healthy fat to keep you energized.
  • Pistachios are fiber-rich, perfect for snacking even on a weight loss diet. 

Master Class suggests using pistachios for snacks, bread, salads, and desserts. You can also use them as garnish for sauces, pasta, pizzas, cakes, and other baked goods. 

Macadamia

What’s one of the best things about macadamia nuts? They have a rich buttery flavor with a subtle sweetness and decadent texture. You will notice how tastier they are with coffee and coconuts. 

Health Benefits

  • According to FBOMB, macadamia nuts are good for skin, hair, and nails.
  • With high levels of antioxidants, these can cleanse your body of toxins.
  • Keep yourself full for a longer time by snacking on macadamia nuts. 

Macadamia nuts are so tasty and satisfying that they can make healthy snacks. You can also use these as garnish, sauces, or salad dressing. Furthermore, these can be mixed into smoothies and milkshakes!

Peanuts

Peanuts are called peanuts for a reason. They have a nutty flavor you can improve by roasting or toasting. There are shelled and unshelled peanuts that you can easily cook with. 

Health Benefits

  • Protect yourself from heart problems by eating more peanuts. 
  • These peanuts also have niacin to pump you with energy for the day.
  • They can make you feel full longer because they are rich in fiber.

Do you want to cook peanuts for snacking? You can boil or roast them in a pan, air fryer, or oven. Aside from Peanut Oil and Peanut Butter, peanuts can also be added to Peanut Butter Granola Bars or Peanut Butter Banana Milkshake!

Pecan nuts

Are pecans really delicious, or are they just crunchy? Of course, they’re yummy! These nuts can be sweet, nutter, woody, nutty, or even coffee-like. Raw pecans tend to have a subtle flavor, but once roasted, the flavor is intensified. 

Health Benefits

  • According to Good Housekeeping, pecans are rich in antioxidants, which can boost your immunity. 
  • Even if they’re sweet, pecans are low and sugar and can improve your blood sugar levels. 
  • Cutting back on salty food? These pecans can be the perfect snacks for you. 

If you want to eat pecans for snacks, then I suggest toasting them for a crunchy texture. You can also add them to pies, salads, tarts, ice cream, oatmeal, bread, and more!

Brazil nuts

Compared to other nuts, brazil nuts have a smooth, buttery, and nutty quality. You need to open the hard shell before you get to the good part – the nut itself!

Health Benefits

  • Brazil nuts are rich in selenium, making them good for your hair and skin. 
  • These nuts also have good fat to keep you energized all day. 
  • Reduce bad cholesterol in your body by adding these nuts to your diet. 

Brazil nuts are good for cookies, salads, granola, smoothies, chocolate bars, bread, and pies. It is safe to eat these nuts alone, but you can also roast or bake them for more flavor and texture. 

Chestnuts 

When raw, chestnuts tend to taste bitter, but once you cook them, you will love how sweet and soft they are. The flavor may also remind you of sweet potatoes. 

Health Benefits

  • Chestnuts can help you avoid heart problems such as stroke or heart disease. 
  • They are also good sources of fiber for your stomach and gut.
  • You can add these chestnuts to your gluten-free diet too. 

Roast or toast the chestnuts before eating them for snacks. Aside from using whole chestnuts, you can also grind or chop them to add to batters, salads, and more!

Grains

How many of these healthy grains have you tried before?

grains

Oats

Oats are some of the most popular grains used for recipes, especially for weight-loss meals and drinks. There are different kinds of oats, such as steel-cut, instant, and rolled oats.

They usually taste bland, so you can best enjoy them with fruits, sweeteners, or milk.

Health Benefits

  • The soluble fiber from oats can improve your digestion and gut health. 
  • These oats can also help manage your blood pressure and your heart.
  • After eating oats, you might notice that you feel full for a longer time which can help avoid cravings. 

When do you eat oats? They are suggested for breakfast because they can give you energy for the day. You can add them to smoothies or milk for a crunchy texture. Overnight Oats are one of the best ways to use oats. Try it! 

Quinoa

If you want to avoid eating white rice, then quinoa can be a good alternative. It has a slightly nutty taste, especially when you cook it. Moreover, quinoa can be paired with sweet or savory dishes to balance flavors. 

Health Benefits

  • It is one of the best grains for diet meals because it’s gluten-free!
  • Quinoa also helps promote a clean gut for better digestion and effective weight loss.
  • These grains also have lots of protein to meet your daily nutrition needs. 

You can cook quinoa by preparing it like rice. It can be mixed with leafy greens like kale and spinach for more color. On the other hand, you can also try it with fresh fruits and vegetables for a healthy recipe. 

Bulgur

What makes Bulgur satisfying to eat? Aside from its rich nutty taste, bulgur has a chewy, soft, and light texture, especially when cooked properly. In fact, you can make it fluffy by parboiling it in water. 

health benefits

  • Bulgur has nutrients that can help prevent and treat gallstones for healthy digestion. 
  • It also has anti-inflammatory effects on your heart, brain, and muscles.
  • With Bulgur, you can better manage your blood sugar levels for a healthier heart.

Make bulgur exciting to eat by mixing it with vegetables, spices, beef, and even chicken. It is certainly the perfect side dish for your favorite recipes. Even plain bulgur wheat tastes amazing when paired with Fried Chicken Gizzard Stew!

Rice

There are wide rice varieties where you can get health benefits. The American Heart Association suggests cooking brown, black, or red rice for healthier options. If you’re counting calories, then I suggest choosing rice that best fits your body’s needs.

Health Benefits

  • Rice is rich in carbohydrates, giving you plenty of energy for your daily activities.
  • Get better digestion by adding rice to your daily diet. 
  • Adding rice to your meals can get you closer to your weight goals. 

While many kinds of rice are in the market, I often buy basmati rice. It has a light and fluffy texture that my family loves. My favorite rice recipes include Jollof Rice, Fried Rice, and Coconut Fried Rice because they are so yummy!

Corn

Is corn a grain or a vegetable? According to the United States Department of Agriculture, corn can be a vegetable or grain, depending on when it is harvested. 

If the corn is harvested when fully matured, then it is a grain! Eating corn kernels or processed corn products, you are likely eating them as grains. 

Health Benefits

  • Like other grains, corn has positive effects on digestion and gut health.
  • It also has nutrients to improve your vision long-term.
  • Corn also helps your brain, kidneys, heart, bones, and overall wellness! 

You can add them to salads, soups, casseroles, salsa, and other recipes where you want to improve color and flavor. Make Corn on the Cob at home to enjoy its sweet, juicy, and buttery kernels! 

Wheat

Wheat is a grain that produces an edible seed called a kernel. According to the National Association of Wheat Growers, wheat is one of the most useful foods in the world. 

Health Benefits

  • In an article by Organic Facts, it is mentioned that wheat can help control your weight. 
  • Wheat is also fiber-rich, making it good for metabolism and weight loss. 
  • Moreover, wheat is beneficial for your hair, skin, and eyes. 

This product can be used for bread, pasta, cakes, noodles, pastries, sauces, and more. There are different classes of wheat that you can use for various recipes. The hard variant is perfect for bread, while the soft wheat is best for baking. 

Sorghum

If you love grains with a mild and earthy flavor, then you should definitely try sorghum. It is usually used for African recipes and can be turned into flour for baked goods. 

Health Benefits

  • Use sorghum as an ingredient for your gluten-free recipes.
  • It is also a good source of protein to keep you strong. 
  • You can ensure that you’re strengthening your bones with sorghum. 

You can prepare sorghum like popcorn for snacks or dessert with your salads or granola bars. Alternatively, soak them to cook porridge, stuffing, or other side dishes. In fact, these can also be stirred into soups for more flavor and texture.

Millet

Have you heard of millet grains? They are similar to kernels, and they are also gluten-free. These are sweet and best for sauces, dips, and salad dressings. You might also taste how nutty they are. 

Health Benefits

  • Millet can be an excellent option for weight loss meals to keep your gut clean.
  • The fiber from millets can work wonders on your metabolism and digestion.
  • You can also improve heart function with the nutrients from millet. 

Once you cook millet, you will enjoy its light, fluffy, and chewy quality. Remember to remove the hull before cooking and eating it. Millet recipes are best served for breakfast with savory stir fries and soups. 

Rye 

Can you believe there is rye in the bread and crackers you bought at the supermarket? It is often used because it is low in gluten yet high in fiber. Rya has a rich flavor that you can balance with other ingredients. 

Health Benefits

  • Regularly eating rye can help you protect your heart from complications. 
  • It can also suppress your appetite to make weight loss healthy. 
  • Rye also has detoxifying properties to cleanse your body of toxins. 

Take your salad recipes to the next level by using rye as a garnish. You can also add these to oatmeal for more fiber. In fact, you can make bread and flour from rye too! 

Barley

What makes barley different from other grains? It has a deliciously nutty, chewy, and subtle flavor. Barley is also used as a thickener or sweetener for many dishes. 

Health Benefits

  • According to Life Hack, the fiber from barley can help you lose and maintain weight. 
  • Barley also has nutrients to keep your bones and joints strong. 
  • Furthermore, this grain is beneficial for your digestion and immunity.

Barley is easy to prepare. You can toast it in a skillet or boil it with your broth. It can also be used for soups, salads, stuffing, and stews. 

Teff

Teff is a nutty and earthy grain with a hint of chocolatey goodness. It’s a gluten-free grain usually turned into flour or added to pastries. There is white, brown, red, or mixed teff with various flavors that you can try.

Health Benefits

  • This is rich in copper to give you plenty of energy. 
  • Furthermore, teff has lots of fiber to help with metabolism and digestion. 
  • Boost your immunity by regularly including teff in your meals. 

Teff can be cooked like rice to serve with vegetables or meat recipes. It’s also a good vegan substitute for meat. You can also add teff to cookies, cupcakes, porridge, bread, and more.

Brown rice

It’s not just brown; brown rice is also earthy, nutty, and fluffy. Since it is less processed than white rice, it takes a bit longer to cook. The subtle nutty flavor makes it great to pair with sweet and savory dishes. 

Health Benefits

  • Brown rice is one of the most popular grains for weight loss because of its fiber content.
  • Get regular cholesterol levels by eating more brown rice. 
  • This kind of grain is also helpful in keeping your bones strong. 

You can cook brown rice like white rice in a pot, instant pot, rice cooker, or oven. Brown rice also pairs well with salads, lettuce wraps, stir fry, burgers, beef, beans, and more!

How to Buy and Store Nuts, Seeds, and Grains

Buying

  • Buying nuts, seeds, and grains has become easier because they are already sold in packages or containers. 
  • Choose tightly packaged products without holes. 
  • Nature’s Path suggests buying them raw and in bulk to store them longer.

Storing

  • Food52 suggests storing these products in containers.  
  • For nuts and seeds, you can keep them at room temperature for three months. Store in the fridge to extend their shelf life.
  • On the other hand, different kinds of grains have varying shelf lives. 
  • Grains can last from several months to years. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Nuts

What are the benefits of nuts for the body?

Nuts are rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, making them excellent for your health. They can help with weight loss, heart health, energy, immunity, inflammation, gut health, and more! 

What is the healthiest nut to eat?

According to BBC Good Food, the healthiest nuts include almonds, Brazil nuts, cashews, chestnuts, hazelnuts, macadamia nuts, and pecans. The healthiest nut for you depends on the health benefits you need the most. 

Are nuts healthy to eat every day?

Eating Well suggests eating a handful of nuts every day if you are not allergic to nuts. Balance it with other healthy recipes to complete your daily dose of nutrients. 

What are the top 5 healthiest nuts?

Bag-A-Nut listed almonds, pecans, walnuts, macadamia, and hazelnuts as five of the healthiest nuts.

Seeds

Is it good to eat seeds every day?

Yes, you can eat seeds every day. However, Duke Health suggests eating only about one-eighth to one-quarter cup of seeds up to four times a week. 

What do seeds do for your body?

Seeds are good sources of protein, fiber, and vitamins. They can also help you regulate your weight by keeping you full and energized. These are good for your heart, stomach, gut, kidney, and overall health!

Which seed has the most health benefits?

Each seed has benefits of its own. While no seed has all health benefits, you can consume a mixture of seeds to get the best nutrients for your body. The healthiest seeds include flax, chia, pumpkin, and sesame seeds. 

What are the benefits of eating seeds?

The benefits of eating seeds include improved heart health, more energy, weight management, a boosted immune system, strong bones, better skin and hair, and more! 

Grains

What are the 3 health benefits of eating grains?

According to Mayo Clinic, eating grains is good for weight, cholesterol, and blood pressure. If you take all of these together, then grains can certainly help your body function better and more efficiently. 

What are the benefits of grains in your body?

With the nutrients you can get from grains, you can take care of your heart, reduce the risk of obesity, improve digestion, minimize inflammation, prevent cancer, manage weight, and more! 

Grains can also give you the energy to do your daily activities. They are also immunity boosters, so you avoid health problems. 

What is the healthiest grain to eat?

Each kind of grain has its own health benefits, but some of the healthiest grains include oats, wheat, rye, millet, barley, quinoa, and brown rice. These are guaranteed to give energy, boost immunity, improve heart health, and more! 

Is it healthy to eat grains every day?

Yes, you can eat grains every day as long as you consume them in moderation. Balance it with other dishes to get the nutrients that your body needs.

Conclusion

Overall, nuts, seeds, and grains are truly delicious, versatile, long-lasting, and, most importantly, healthy! 

There are plenty of other varieties you can try, and each can have a different effect on your body. They may be small, but using these products in your diet cannot be undermined. 

Whenever you can add them to recipes, ensure you do so! Over the years, I have loved how these nuts, seeds, and grains affected me. In fact, I enjoy them so much that I made a special Granola recipe for an all-in-one dish!

Try adding nuts, seeds, and grains to your diet and experience how they can change your life for the better. 

This post may contain general information and does not constitute professional medical advice. Always seek information or advice from a qualified medical professional. Please read the full disclaimer for details.

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