By Donna V. Scaglione
There are lots of foods to pick from to fuel our bodies and satisfy special cravings. But sometimes we want a particular food for a certain reason. Maybe we’re trying to be more health conscious and methodical in our eating so we’re looking for a unique food combination. Or we have a goal in mind: Lose weight, relieve stress, or sleep better. If you’re looking for foods with particular functions, consider these.
1. Walnuts for weight loss
If you’re a nut lover, perhaps you’ve noticed a sense of fullness after eating a handful. The Harvard Medical School Health Beat newsletter says studies have shown a connection between eating two or more weekly servings of nuts and avoiding obesity and weight gain. In one study participants reported feeling full before lunch after eating walnuts at breakfast. That satiated feeling may help people lose weight, researchers reason. Nuts contain lots of heart-healthy fats — walnuts, especially, have a lot of omega-3s — as well as potassium, magnesium, and other important nutrients.
