JAKARTA – Lately, desserts made with pistachio have been on the rise. From pistachio croissants, green milk drinks, to “Dubai-style” chocolates which are virulent on social media.
The magnificent appearance and luxury feel make pistachio a premium product identical to a healthy lifestyle.
But behind this trend, an important question arises, are pistachios healthy or are they only healthy because of their popularity?
Naturally, pistachios are nutrient-rich nuts. The fiber, plant protein and healthy fat content makes it a good snack choice if eaten in the right way.
“A small 30-gram sachet contains about 3 grams of fiber, or about 10 percent of the daily recommendation of 30 grams,” Hobson said, quoted on the Daily Mail website.
These fibers are important for maintaining gut health while helping to control blood sugar levels. In addition, pistachios also contain many important vitamins and minerals.
“In 30 grams, there’s plant protein, fiber, potassium, magnesium, phosphorus, vitamin B6 and vitamin E,” Hobson said.
This combination makes pistachios beneficial for heart health, blood pressure and for keeping the body’s energy stable.
Many people avoid nuts because of their fat content. However, in pistachios, most of the fats are unsaturated fats which are good for the body.
“A 30-gram serving contains about 13 grams of fat, with only about 1.5 grams of saturated fat,” says Hobson.
This means that when consumed in reasonable quantities, pistachios are not only safe but also promote heart health. Interestingly, although they are high in calories, pistachios do not cause weight gain.
“People who eat nuts regularly tend not to gain weight; pistachios often have a healthier weight,” Hobson said.
This is because the combination of protein and fiber makes the tummy feel fuller, which helps reduce the desire to snack excessively.
That’s the problem with dessert pistachio trends. Many virulent products are not pistachios in their natural form at all, but are processed with extra sugar and fats.
“The problem is that the product is high in sugar and saturated fat,†Hobson added.
For example, pistachio creams, candies or pistachio chocolates are closer to the category of sweets than healthy foods.
“At this point, the product becomes a candy, not a whole food,” Hobson said.
So although it uses the name pistachio, its nutritional value may be very different from that of the original nut. To get the maximum benefits, pistachios should be consumed in simple form.
“Ideally without salt or with a little salt and preferably still in the shell,” Hobson said.
Pistachios can be added to yogurt, oats, salads or eaten directly as a healthy snack.
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