You’ve probably heard the old adage that nuts should be cut into bite-sized pieces to save space and weight, and that you should always cut your nuts with a sharp knife.
But according to a new study published in the Journal of Nutrition, this advice isn’t necessarily as reliable as you might think.
Nutrients, such as fats, have different absorption rates depending on where they are cut, which can cause your nuts to become trapped inside the slices.
And since nuts are packed with nutrients, cutting your nuts in the right way can improve your overall nutritional profile.
To help you cut your nut pieces into bite sized pieces, here are three simple ways to do so.
The first step is to cut them into bite size pieces, then remove them from the pan with your fingers.
While this technique is relatively simple, cutting into bite small pieces is the most effective way to cut your own nuts into bite large pieces.
Next, use a fork to remove any bits of loose nut flesh, which will leave behind the nut shell and make them easier to cut into the appropriate size pieces.
Using the fork and a knife to remove the nuts from the slice will keep them from falling out.
The third method is to simply chop the nuts and place them in a bowl.
Then, you can use a small spoon to gently cut through the pieces of nut meat and cleanse them.
The result?
Nut shells that are larger than expected and larger-than-average nuts, making them much easier to slice.
“Cutting nuts into small pieces helps preserve them from breaking apart, making cutting them into smaller pieces easier, and also saves calories,” said study author Rebecca G. Hsu, PhD, an assistant professor of nutrition and exercise science.
“For this reason, cutting nuts into smaller, bite-size pieces is probably the best option for most people, especially if you’re cutting the nuts in your own kitchen.”
The study was conducted by researchers at the University of South Florida, the University at Albany, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the Food and Nutrition Service.
More information about Nutritional Benefits of Nutrient-Dense Nutrients: The study can be found at www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4022995/ The study also was supported by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), National Institutes of Health (NIH), the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), and the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS).
