Nuts are generally high in fat, and as such, consumption might increase the risk of weight gain. In a prospective study of over 51,000 women in the Nurses Health Study, those women who ate nuts 2 or more times per week gained less weight than those who rarely ate nuts–even after adjusting for confounding factors. Nut consumption was also associated with a slightly lower risk of becoming obese. Tree-nuts or peanuts conveyed the same benefits. Those eating higher intakes of nuts had a 31% lower risk of gaining 11 or more pounds during the 8 year follow-up period, compared to those eating them rarely.
PositiveTip: Include a small handful of nuts several times per week in your diet to reduce your risk of gaining weight, cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes.