Why Nuts Are Fab For You, And How To Add Them To Your Christmas Eats

Nuts are a good source of protein, antioxidants, dietary fibre, and heart-healthy monounsaturated fats. Walnuts, for example, are believed to improve brain function, aid in weight loss and elevate your mood, while macadamia nuts keep the arteries in good condition, reduce cholesterol levels, hydrate the skin and strengthens hair.

Moreover, nuts contain all the eight essential amino acids needed for the body’s protein intake, which makes it a near-perfect replacement for those planning to go off meat. Plus, they’re loaded with calcium too. A quarter cup of almonds, for example, contains as much calcium as a quarter cup of milk.

Joining Nature’s Wonders family this Christmas are two new variants: the Mighty Mix ($9 for 220g) is a brain-expanding blend of walnuts, macadamia nuts, cranberries and blueberries, while the Hearty Mix ($9 for 220g) is a heart-healthy fusion of pecans, cashews, goji berries and cranberries.

We love the complex notes of sweet, savoury, tart and buttery from the Mighty Mix blend; the antioxidant-rich dried blueberries add a lovely fruity note to it all. Meanwhile, the goji berries in the Hearty Mix are surprisingly sweet instead of sour — good to know since it’s such a powerful superfood. The recommended way to consume them: pop ’em in your mouth as a mixture (not picked at separately), to better experience the burst of flavours that each resealable pack encapsulates.

Check out the festive selection of gold-capped bottles featuring jumbo-sized bestsellers like Royal Selections (cashews, almonds and macadamia nuts) and Fruits & Nuts Fusion (jumbo golden raisins, cashews, roasted grams and pistachios), which marry the sweet, salty, savoury flavours of various nuts and dried fruits. Perfect for any gathering.

Needless to say, these nuts go fabulously with cheese and crackers. But here are some more tasty party ideas: top them on salads to add a crunchy finish, scatter crushed nuts on roasted pumpkin or mixed root veggies dolloped with a yogurt sauce, add a handful of chopped nuts to turkey stuffing, or shower them all over buttered rice, creamy soups and certain pastas as a lovely garnish. For dessert, crush them and sprinkle on cream cheese-frosted cakes, or with whipped cream dolloped on chocolate tarts/brownies. Of course, they go super well with ice cream anything, too!

Nature’s Wonders range is halal-certified. Available at all major super/hyper markets, convenience stores and selected online stores.​​​​​​​

Photos: Aik Chen