Hazelnuts are among the most popular types of nuts. Their distinctive flavor makes them the perfect companion for a variety of occasions. Whether in muesli and trail mix or in cakes and other desserts, they are a popular addition. Hazelnuts are being used more and more often for breakfast.
The big question that many people still ask themselves is whether nuts, and especially hazelnuts, actually make you fat. You hear and read again and again that nuts have an extremely high fat content. So today we will clarify whether hazelnuts are responsible for our love handles. Spoiler alert: no, they are not. 😉
Organic hazelnuts from Verival
How much fat do hazelnuts contain?
First of all, it is not only important to know how much fat is contained in hazelnuts. What is much more significant than the total fat content is which fats are contained. There are good and bad fats. Omega-6 fats, for example, are among the good fats. And these are strongly represented in hazelnuts. These fatty acids protect the heart in particular.
Are too many hazelnuts harmful?
As with everything in life, it's the dose that makes it toxic. Nuts contain many very healthy fats. But even these fats are not healthy in vast quantities. Nuts also have a high number of calories – even if they are not fattening per se, you should not exceed the daily requirement too much.
The recommended dose of hazelnuts per day is 25 grams. This way you get the best out of the nut without having to worry about calories. Conclusion: Too many nuts are not necessarily harmful, but you should not overdo it.
Are hazelnuts healthy or fattening?
This is also a legitimate question. Hazelnuts are high in calories and are largely made up of fat. For a long time, these facts led to them being considered unhealthy. However, this is not true. Scientists also agree that nuts are not what they have been made out to be for a long time.
On the contrary, they are very healthy. Even though it is true that nuts are very fatty, this does not mean that they make you fat. On the contrary! Nuts can even help you lose weight. It is precisely those healthy fats that make hazelnuts a regional superfood.
Hazelnuts are not fattening unless you eat too many of them. In fact, due to their high content of healthy B vitamins, calcium, potassium and magnesium, many nutrition experts recommend eating hazelnuts often!
The only disadvantage of hazelnuts and nuts in general, as already mentioned, is that they are high in calories. Therefore, enjoy them in moderation. Our recommendation for enjoying hazelnuts is to add them to your breakfast. Hazelnuts over your yogurt or your morning cereal can work wonders! Maximilien Bircher-Benner knew this when he invented the now so popular Bircher muesli – in our video you will learn how to prepare it properly:
Which nuts are best for losing weight?
There is no such thing as the perfect nut for losing weight – it is impossible to say whether one nut is better for losing weight than another. What most nuts have in common is that they contain a lot of calories. Very few of them are exempt. But what all nuts have in common is that they have a very filling effect due to their energy balance. You are full on nuts for longer, which is why many people integrate nuts into their diet if they want to lose a few pounds.
Eat your way to a slim figure with nuts
BMI calculator – Do you know your BMI?
It doesn't matter whether you want to lose weight, just do something for your health or are in the middle of muscle-building training. The body mass index is often the first measurement that shows you whether you have your body weight under control.
Here you can calculate your BMI in a few seconds and learn more about this value.
Discover the BMI calculator & calculate your value
How can I incorporate hazelnuts into my diet?
If you have not been eating many nuts in your diet so far, but would like to start now, we are happy to help you a little with how you can easily integrate them into your daily routine. On the one hand, you always have the option of snacking on the nut of your choice in between meals. If you don't know or don't care how many calories and how much fat certain types of nuts have, a handful is always a good guideline.
We particularly recommend incorporating hazelnuts into your breakfast routine in the morning. There is nothing better than using fresh nuts to refine porridge, for example. Delicious porridge, fresh fruit and, to top it off, whole or grated hazelnuts for that extra crunch. Not only is this extremely healthy, but it's also delicious.
Oat porridge – find out more about this superfood!
And because we not only love breakfast, but also want to share our love with you, we have another great recipe for you here – as you probably suspected – with hazelnuts. It sounds more sinful than it is – enjoy!
