The raw foodist is a vegetarian who, for whatever reason, eats food in its most natural state; basically, without it being cooked or processed. The raw foodist does have the advantage of receiving a higher nutritional value from the foods that they ingest, yet there must be the addition of protein to the diet in order for there to be a nutritional balance.
Nuts are nutritious, as well as an excellent source of protein; especially for the raw foodist. Depending on the nut, they are relatively high in protein, and even though the fat content in nuts is high; it is the good fats and necessary for healthy skin and body tissue.
Below is a guide to the nutritive value of nuts. It should make it easier to decide which nuts for the raw foodist to add to his diet, and when. They are listed in alphabetical order to make it easier to find your nut of choice.
Nuts and Their Importance
- Almonds – 1 oz. – raw
170 calories – 6 grams protein – 6 grams carbohydrates – 15 grams fat – 0 cholesterol About ¼ of the weight of the almond consists of protein of the highest quality.
- Brazil Nut – 1 oz. – dried
186 calories – 4 grams protein – 4 grams carbohydrates – 18.8 grams fat – 0 cholesterol
- Cashews – 1 oz. – roasted – unsalted
163 calories – 5 grams protein – 8 grams carbohydrates – 13.7 grams fat – 0 cholesterol
- Chestnuts – 1 oz – roasted
57 calories – 0.8 grams protein – 13.8 grams carbohydrates – 0.2 grams fat – 0 cholesterol
- Coconut – 1 oz. – fresh
187 calories – 2 grams protein – 7 grams carbohydrates – 18.3 grams fat – 0 cholesterol
- Filbert/Hazelnut – 1 oz. – dry roasted – no salt
183 calories – 4 grams protein – 7 grams carbohydrates – 17.7 grams fat – 0 cholesterol
- Macadamia Nuts – 1 oz. – dry roasted
204 calories – 2 grams protein – 4 grams carbohydrates – 21.6 grams fat – 0 cholesterol
- Peanuts – 1 oz. – raw – no salt
160 calories – 7 grams protein – 5 grams carbohydrates – 13.8 grams fat – 0 cholesterol
- Pecans – 1 oz. – raw
190 calories – 2 grams protein – 5 grams carbohydrates – 20.0 grams fat – 0 cholesterol
- Pistachios – 1 oz. – raw – unsalted
156 calories – 6 grams protein – 8 grams carbohydrates – 12.2 grams fat – 0 cholesterol
- Walnuts (English) – 1 oz. raw
180 calories – 4 grams protein – 5 grams carbohydrates – 18.0 grams fat – 0 cholesterol
You will notice that there is 0 cholesterol content in nuts. The same thing cannot be said about meat or dairy products. Taking this into context, nuts make the perfect protein source for the raw foodist in his/her eating plans.
