Why Pecans for Keto Zone

Pecans work great within a keto zone diet.

They are the second highest fat-content nut with the lowest protein and carbohydrates (among tree nuts). Each ounce, or 19 halves, provides 21 grams of fat, 3 grams of protein, and 1 gram of net carbohydrates.

In addition, they are loaded with health-promoting vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and phytochemicals.

For keto zone eaters, the benefits of pecans are many.

PECANS IMPROVE INSULIN SENSITIVITY AND SUPPORT HEALTHY BLOOD SUGARS

Studies have shown that a pecan-rich diet can improve blood sugars, beta cell health and insulin sensitivity when compared to other high-fat diets (1,  2).

What’s this mean to you?

When cells are more sensitive to insulin, the body requires less. This improves the cells’ health and keeps metabolism in peak fat-loss mode.

BENEFITS OF PECANS FOR SATIETY AND WEIGHT LOSS

Some foods simply make you feel fuller.

Pecans and other high-fat foods stretch the stomach to signal fullness and directly affect hunger hormones in the brain, such as ghrelin the “hunger hormone.” When pecans reduce ghrelin, it helps you eat less.

Simple carbohydrates, on the other hand, can increase ghrelin levels (3).

What’s more, pecans are rich in manganese. Manganese supports thyroid health and weight loss (4).

PECANS FOR GREAT ENERGY

What’s better than healthy weight loss?

Weight loss with great daily energy.

Pecans offer minerals that support energy production, and copper is one of the most important. Copper is required in more than 50 different energy-producing reactions in the body. Specifically, it supports the creation of ATP, the body’s source of energy and a key to human metabolism.

In addition, copper is necessary for iron absorption thereby reducing weakness and fatigue.

REDUCED INFLAMMATION AND LOADS OF ANTIOXIDANTS

Pecans are full of antioxidants that reduce oxidative stress in the body including:

• Vitamin E
• Lutein
• Zeaxanthin
• Ellagic acid
• Magnesium
• Copper

Pecans’ antioxidants help prevent carcinogenic compounds from binding to DNA and growing. In research, the antioxidant-increase is measurable 24 hours after pecans consumption (4).

What’s more, magnesium in pecans reduces signs of inflammation including C-reactive protein and interleukin-6.

NUTRIENTS FOR BONE HEALTH, BRAIN HEALTH, AND HEART HEALTH

There’s more. Pecans can:

• Help treat osteoporosis, especially in women, with manganese, copper, and zinc (5).
• Support brain health with thiamine, a mineral used especially in those who are seeking treatment after alcohol abuse (6).
• Improve brain dopamine and galactose pathways while reducing free radical damage and brain degradation, like that associated with Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s
• Help decrease high blood pressure (7).
• Improve cholesterol levels with plant sterols and healthy fats (8).

How to Use Keto Zone Chocolate Covered Pecan Fat Bombs

When you need more fat in your diet to reach 90% or more fat for the day, fat bombs are useful.  Typically, meals include a bit more protein, so your overall the percentage might be slightly lower than you want. For snacks, try using fat bombs instead of foods with more protein or carbs.

When you replace other snacks with fat bombs, you increase fat intake, and have the opportunity to flood your body with the great nutrition found in healthy fats and foods like basil.

For more on Fat Bombs, click here.

Bottom Line

Nothing says decadent like chocolate and pecans. These fat bombs will hit the spot. They will provide many healthful nutrients, keep you satisfied, curb cravings, and get your fat intake into the Keto Zone.