1. Keep your weight with peanuts and nuts

People who regularly eat nuts maintain a healthier bodyweight. This has become apparent from research carried out by professor Sabaté, a nutritionist who has studied the dietary effect of nuts.

Nuts, a possible slimming aid

It has long been believed that nuts have a negative influence on your weight, but a large-scale study amongst 12,000 Americans tells a different story. From this study, published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, it became apparent that people who eat peanuts and nuts have a healthier Body Mass Index and thus a healthier weight than those who never eat peanuts and nuts. There are also indications that peanuts and nuts contribute to weight loss. The mechanism behind this has not yet been completely discovered. One possible explanation is the satiating effect of nuts due to their high fibre and protein content and their favourable effect on the burning of fat in our body. Eating peanuts and nuts appears to reduce the risk of becoming overweight. So a handful of peanuts and nuts should help you keep your ideal weight.

Source:
1. Sabaté J. Nut consumption and bodyweight. Am J Clin Nutr 2003;78:647
2. Coates A.M., Howe P.R.C. Edible nuts and metabolic health.2007 Curr Opin Lipidol 18:25
3. Positieve gezondheidseffecten van noten en gedroogde zuidvruchten, Roozen, Bakker, TNO

2. A more exclusive, hip and exciting 2008

2007 was the year of easy, tasty and healthy food. In 2008 everything has to have that little bit extra. People like their basic foods products to be exclusive, organic is becoming a lifestyle and tastes must be exciting. Because of their versatility, peanuts and nuts fit perfectly in this year’s trends.

Basic products with added value

The year 2008 will see many basic products gain an exclusive variant. Coffee and tea already have one. Now it’s the turn of the rest of the products. Premium variants of honey, chocolate and water have already been spotted in America. Peanuts and nuts that fit in this trend are for example those with dried superfruits and / or an exclusive flavour.

Food full of nutrients

It are particularly the natural and versatile products containing many and exclusive nutrients that are on the up and up. Food that is delicious and at the same time helps you lose weight, keeps you healthy or beautiful. Think about products full of anti-oxidants such as nuts or super fruits (like the açaí berry and goji berry).

Exotic flavours

The consumer wants distinct, piquant, spicy flavours. This explains the growing interest in exotic and ethnic flavours. There will be more products on the market with ingredients such as shea butter, oil of the African baobab tree and hot peppers.

Sustainable local products

The question, where does my food come from, is becoming increasingly important. The consumer wants more locally produced products. Therefore farmers markets, where you can find local and seasonal products such as fruit, vegetables, potatoes and peanuts & nuts are increasingly popular.

Transparancy

Consumers are more and more health conscious. They want to know what they eat. They demand transparency about nutritional values, ingredients, health facts and the sustainability of the product. Consumers like to have this information on the package. Logos such as the GDA-system provide consumers with information and transparency. These logos are becoming increasingly popular, also on the packages of peanuts and nuts.

Source:
1. www.trendwatching.com
2. Food & drink towers

3. Cashew nuts in the spotlight!

Did you know that the cashew nut:

• Used to be an ‘exclusive’ nut because of its intensive processing.
• Grows in a cashew apple, which is also edible.
• According to some, helps against tooth abscesses.
• Grows in Vietnam, Nigeria, Kenya, India and Brazil.

Nutritional information

Cashew nuts are a good source of magnesium. A handful of cashew nuts provides you with no less than a quarter of the amount of magnesium you need each day. Magnesium is necessary to keep your bones strong and plays an important role in the working of enzymes.

Origin and history

The cashew nut (also known as the Bombay nut) comes originally from Brazil. In the 16th century, explorers took the cashew tree to Central America, Africa and India. The cashew nut requires very intensive processing. First, it is roasted in its shell to crack it then skinned. Once, it has to been skinned, the cashew nut as we know it is left.

* RDA = Recommended Dietary Allowance

4. Cooking with nuts: Cashew nut tortilla

Starter – serves four

• 2 tortillas
• 100 g fresh spinach
• 100 g feta cheese, cut into cubes
• 3 spring onions, cut into rings
• 50 g salted cashew nuts, roughly chopped
• Freshly ground pepper

Preheat the oven at 200˚C.
Place 1 tortilla on a baking sheet covered with baking paper. Put the spinach on to the tortilla and spread out on this the cubes of feta, the onion rings and the cashew nuts. Season to taste with freshly ground pepper. Cover with the other tortilla and put into the preheated oven for 10 min. until the top is lightly browned. Take out of the oven, cut into four and serve with mixed salad.

Preparation time: approx. 15 min.
Nutritional value per person:
250 kcal • 9 g protein • 14 g fat • 4 g saturated fat • 21 g carbohydrates