Cashew nuts make a great snack gift this Christmas. They are not only tasty as a snack, they are also nutritious. And they can make you feel really good!

This is because cashew nuts are high in the amino acid tryptophan, the primary building block of serotonin, which is in turn a neurotransmitter responsible for calming and feel-good moods. This makes cashew nuts a great alternative to chocolates!

What’s more, cashew nuts are lower in fats and higher in proteins compared to most other nuts. And the fats that cashew nuts contain are actually healthy fats (go for raw, unheated nuts for maximal healthy fatty acids). So there’s less concern about putting on the fats with cashews.

With a slightly sweet flavor, cashew nuts are rich in oleic acid, a mono-saturated fat that can protect you against heart diseases and cancer.

In addition, cashew nuts are also a good source of biotin, copper, magnesium, potassium, iron and zinc.

Note however that cashews contain oxalates and should not be taken in excess by those with kidney and gallbladder problems.

References
[1] Collins, Elise Marie. An A-Z Guide to Healing Foods: A Shopper’s Companion. San Francisco, California: Conari Press, 2009. Print.

Cindy L. TJOL is trained in Psychology, Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine. She has several years of experience writing on natural health on the internet. Follow her on her blog and read her other articles at Insights On Health.com.