Get #SnackingCracked with a handful of California Walnuts

When the mid-afternoon cravings strike, it can be tempting to reach for the biscuit tin, but the good news is more people are choosing healthy snacking options while at home, which we’re totally nuts about (pun intended!).

Why are walnuts considered a healthy snack?

A handful of walnuts is the ideal way to snack smart, but do you know why?

Walnuts are the only tree nut to contain a significant amount of the plant-based omega-3, alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), 2.7g/ 30g (approx. a handful). Plant-based omega-3 ALA is an essential fatty acid that contributes to the maintenance of normal blood cholesterol levels and plays a beneficial role in the prevention of heart disease and stroke. A handful of walnuts is therefore a great snack choice to help keep your heart healthy! (it’s one of the reasons they’ve been given the heart-healthy seal of approval from the cholesterol charity HEART UK too!)

A handful of walnuts also offers 4.4g of protein and 1.4g of fibre, and walnuts are also low in sugar and very low salt[1].

In addition to good fat, protein and fibre, walnuts also contain thiamin (vitamin B1), vitamin B6, folate, vitamin E, phosphorus, magnesium, copper, manganese and biotin. As you can see, there’s a whole lot of goodness in these tiny nuts!

So while they may be small, California Walnuts are a nutrition powerhouse.

So why not get #snackingcracked and reach for a handful of California Walnuts the next time you need a snacking fix.

Healthy ideas for snacks with walnuts

If you’re feeling a little more adventurous, try using California Walnuts in one of the ideas below for a nutritious boost at snack time!

California Walnut Power Balls

Power through the week with these Power Balls made from just 4 ingredients. Make these up and store in an airtight container and they will keep for 4-5 days – great as a snack for the gym or in lunchboxes.

California Walnut and Dark Chocolate Trail Mix

This easy trail mix recipe with California Walnuts, dark chocolate and cranberries is the perfect energy boosting snack. Prep ahead and store in an airtight jar ready for snack time.

 Gremolata, California Walnut and Pepper Dip

This tasty dip can be rustled up in just 5 minutes. Serve with toasted pittas and vegetable crudités for a filling snack option.

TOP TIP: For great tasting walnuts, all of the time, store them in the fridge! It’s where they’ll retain their freshness and last longer.

[1] Food Standards Agency (2002), McCance & Widdowson’s The Composition of Foods, Seventh summary edition. Cambridge: Royal Society of Chemistry

8EFSA Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies (NDA); Scientific Opinion on the substantiation of health claims related to walnuts and maintenance of normal blood LDL‐cholesterol concentrations (ID 1156, 1158) and improvement of endothelium‐dependent vasodilation (ID 1155, 1157