

On the other hand, cashews are pretty high in Omega-6 fats – and low in Omega-3 fats – which isn’t great. This might not be a bad thing however, as some of the starch in cashews is resistant starch that could act as a great prebiotic in your gut. In fact, almost a quarter of their weight is made up of starch. ( 8)Ĭashews are also relatively high in starch – i.e., carbohydrates – unlike almonds. In 100 grams of raw cashews, you’ll get 553 calories (so don’t overeat them even though they’re delicious). Let’s take a quick look at the nutritional facts on this delightful drupe.
CASHEW NUTS DOWNLOAD
( 4, 5, 6, 7)Ī better question might be, “Why not eat cashews?”Ĭlick To Download Our Free Paleo Diet Food List Last Question: Just How Nutritious Are Cashews?

Studies have shown that eating cashews reduces risk factors for cardiovascular disease and metabolic syndrome. From enhancing mood to boosting immunity, it’s hard to see why anyone would want to exclude cashews from their diet.” “Cashews encompass a broad spectrum of impressive body support benefits. Michael Lam, M.D notes there are many health benefits associated with consuming cashews.

They don’t just taste great – they’re also great for you. Really, all you need to know is that cashews are generally healthy to eat – as long as you’re not allergic to them, that is.Īlso, an important distinction: cashews are considered Paleo but they are not AIP-friendly. Beans are an example of a legume.īut what you might not realize is that peanuts are also a legume even though we typically call them a nut! Less Confused? Then, what are legumes?Ī legume is a dry fruit found inside a pod that splits into two halves. Some true nuts are hazelnuts, chestnuts, and acorns. A nut is defined as a “dry hard fruit that does not split open at maturity to release its single seed.” ( 3) ( 2) This is nuts! So what are nuts then? Walnuts, almonds and pecans are also drupes! ( 1) Well, there’s some disagreement of course – some botanists classify walnuts and pecans as nuts. What we know as cashews are actually the seed inside the pit of the fruit.Ĭashews aren’t the only foods we often think of as nuts that are actually drupes. Drupes are fruits that have a soft fleshy exterior and a pit with a seed inside. This funky sounding word actually just means “stone fruits” like peaches and plums. Yes, cashews are drupes! (Or more technically, those “nut” things we eat are the seeds of a drupe.) What on earth are drupes?ĭon’t worry, that’s pretty much everyone’s response when they hear the word “drupe.” I’ve sort of given the answer away already since I told you that cashews are not nuts and not legumes. So, Are Cashews Nuts, Legumes, or Drupes? I hope you too are becoming fascinated by this fake nut…Ĭlick To Download Our Free Paleo Diet Food List It’s raw, it’s vegan, and it’s Paleo! Everybody wins. One of my favorite ways to eat them is to make cashew cheese and then stuff it into dates. You can also use them whole in various dishes.īut what’s most interesting is the fact you can grind them and mix them with water to form a cream cheese-like substance that you can then put on top of pizzas or use as cake icing! Sure, you can grind them into a flour like other nuts. They look sort of like a nut and grow on a tree, but they are not a tree nut.Īnd the red juicy pear looking thing that grows on the same tree looks like a fruit, but it’s not actually a fruit.įrom a culinary standpoint, they are also fascinating. They split in half like a legume, but they are not a legume. Botanically, they are a master of disguise.
