Nuts are the ultimate healthy and delicious snack. They’re full of heart-healthy antioxidants and every variety has healthy benefits. They contain powerful nutrients that can promote weight loss, decrease symptoms of PMS, and even lower risks of heart disease and cancer.

You might be concerned about the fat and calorie content of nuts, but even a handful for a snack is packed full of protein, fiber and unsaturated fats (good fat), that are essential for your daily diet.

Also keep in mind that many varieties of nuts contain vitamins and minerals essential for healthy nervous system growth and function. Cashews, for instance, are full of magnesium which research has shown is essential to protect against age-related memory loss and brain function, and pecans and hazelnuts are packed with vitamin E, which scientists are discovering can delay the progression of neurological diseases such as ALS and Lou Gehrig’s, and also prevent cataracts and macular degeneration.

So whichever variety is your favorite, go nuts for nuts!