How and in what quantity do you consume macadamia nuts?

Macadamia nut is famous for its outstanding taste, nutritional and healing properties. Of all the nuts, it has the most diverse vitamin and mineral complex, which allows it to be used for the treatment and prevention of a wide variety of diseases and conditions.

Regular consumption of kernels has a beneficial effect on the health of the heart, blood vessels, liver, kidneys, digestive organs, and nervous system. In addition, macadamia is rightfully considered the highest-calorie nut, which must be taken into account when creating a menu.

How much does one nut weigh?

There are 5 species of macadamia, of which only two are cultivated - Macadamia tetraphylla and Macadamia integrifolia (ternifolia). The main plantations are concentrated in Australia, California, South Africa, Brazil, and Hawaii. The climatic conditions of Russia are not suitable for growing nuts; it is exported by producing countries, hence the high price of the product.

The kernels are sold peeled or in shell. The weight of 1 macadamia nut without shell ranges from 3-4 g, in shell - 5-6 g. 100 g of macadamia is approximately 45-50 nuts.

Macadamia nut: how and how much to eat per day

As a source of carbohydrates and fats, nuts are best consumed in the first half of the day. They provide the body with energy that is consumed throughout the day and is not stored as new fat deposits on the hips and waist.In addition, macadamia fiber increases endurance and performance, stimulates physical activity, which helps burn additional calories.

Macadamia nuts can be used as a main component of the diet. Nuts satisfy hunger well, provide quick and long-term satiety, so there is no need for snacks, more energy is consumed than it comes from food, the body begins to use up fat reserves, and excess weight disappears. The fiber contained in nuts has a positive effect on digestion: it regulates metabolism, cleanses the intestines of waste and toxins, and normalizes stool, without which healthy weight loss is impossible.

To control weight or get rid of extra pounds, you need to reduce the caloric content of your diet to 1200-1400 kcal for women, 1600-1800 kcal for men, and limit the amount of macadamia to 30-50 g. Otherwise, with excessive consumption, the opposite effect is observed - weight gain.

The benefits and harms of macadamia for the body directly depend on the quality of the product. When choosing fruits, pay attention to organoleptic properties and appearance. Nutritionists recommend buying unshelled nuts, as the shell protects the kernels from microbes, preserves flavor and beneficial properties of macadamia.

If the choice is made in favor of peeled kernels, choose unroasted nuts, without spices or salt. Heat treatment reduces the amount of substances valuable to the human body, and spices, preservatives and other additives increase appetite, retain fluid, and cause intoxication of the body.

Daily consumption rate

Provided moderate and reasonable consumption, macadamia is not harmful to health. However, when consuming any product, it is important to know when to stop. How much macadamia nut you can eat per day depends on a number of factors - age, the presence of concomitant diseases and contraindications, daily diet.

Nutritionists recommend consuming 30 g of nuts per day (this is 10-15 fruits depending on the size), children and adolescents - half as much. Pregnant, lactating, and people with gastrointestinal diseases should limit the amount to 5-10 nuts.

What can you eat with?

Macadamia goes well with other foods. The kernels are consumed fresh or pre-fried in a dry frying pan. Nuts are used as a complete snack or addition to breakfast and lunch. In the evening and before bedtime, nuts are undesirable - they take 3-4 hours to digest and can disrupt sleep.

Advice. Soak the peeled kernels for 1.5-2 hours in cold water. In this form, they are easier to digest without burdening the gastrointestinal tract.

Crushed nuts are added to fruit and vegetable salads, meat, fish, poultry, baked goods, desserts, and confectionery.

Why you shouldn't eat a lot of macadamia nuts

The main reason for limiting the daily allowance of macadamia is high calorie content - 718 kcal per 100 g. The kernels contain a lot of fat (75.8 g), an excess of which leads to excess weight gain. In addition, nuts are very nutritious and heavy on the stomach. Frequent and abundant use can cause unpleasant symptoms from the gastrointestinal tract - such as heartburn, bloating, flatulence, nausea, colic. People with digestive problems have an increased risk of exacerbation of diseases.

Macadamia is also a strong allergen. Exceeding the permissible norm threatens the development of allergic reactions - such as a rash on the body, peeling and redness of the skin, itching, swelling.

For reference. Macadamias are toxic to dogs.

Despite the fact that many consider macadamia to be harmless, there are contraindications for it:

• diseases of the intestines and pancreas;
• nut allergy;
• obesity 3-4 degrees;
• diabetes mellitus type 2-3;
• arterial hypotension;
• severe liver/renal failure.

Conclusion

Provided there are no contraindications, consuming macadamia will only be beneficial. It serves as an additional source of omega-3, vitamins, minerals, fatty acids, and dietary fiber, which ensure active functioning of the body, good health and well-being.

The main condition is to observe moderation: abundant and excessive consumption of macadamia can be harmful to health and provoke an exacerbation of diseases of the digestive system. The measure must also be observed by those who are watching their figure or trying to lose weight.