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Diet Diva

Get advice on healthy eating, nutrition, and weight loss from expert dietitian Tara Gidus. 

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Pistachios: The Wonderful Green Nut

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Last week was National Almond Day and now February 26 is World Pistachio Day. I guess February is the month to eat nuts!

Pistachios are another favorite nut of mine because they taste great and they are also lower in calories than a lot of the other nuts. You can get 30 pistachios for 100 calories which is a great bargain. They also have over 30 vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients, so they are a nutrient dense little green nut.

California is the land of nuts because they produce over 400 million pounds of pistachios (remember they produce 100% of US almonds, too!).

Pistachios are enjoyed around the globe:

  • China: Pistachios are known as the "happy nut" because it looks like it is smiling. China eats the most pistachios of anyone in the world with 120 million pounds a year.
  • India: Pistachios are known as a "hot food" and are believed to keep the body warm so they are eaten during the winter months.
  • Russia: Pistachios are the food of choice to eat while enjoying a beer.
  • France: Pistachios are served as aperitif, a light snack before a meal to stimulate the appetite.


Pistachios have numerous nutritional benefits like phytosterols and good fats as well as antioxidants. Check out this super cool diagram of the health benefits for various parts of your body. Pistachios are known as the "Skinny Nut" because of their significant protein and fiber content and good fats. They fill you up without filling you out.

For more great information about pistachios, check out www.pistachiohealth.com

Image courtesy of www.pistachiohealth.com
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Tags: Healthy Fats , Protein

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About the Author


MS, RD, CSSD, LD/N

Tara Gidus is a nationally recognized expert and spokesperson on nutrition and fitness.