When you are looking for a snack at night, it always pays to look for something a bit healthier than a bag of crisps. For many people, their savory snack of choice includes nuts – roasted nuts especially. Most of us choose roasted nuts as we know they are tasty and they are not as high in salt content as alternatives. However, for many of us, the ‘truth’ that roasted nuts are healthy can come back to bite us.
Is it true, then? Are roasted nuts healthy enough to be eaten regularly?
Roasted nuts are seen by most people who enjoy them as tastier than raw nuts. They tend to be more enjoyable in the flavour, the texture comes through a bit better, and there is that rich crunch that raw nuts simply cannot carry to the same level. For some people, then, roasted nuts feel pretty essential to the whole nut-eating experience. However, some believe that roasting nuts can have a negative impact.
Why? Because it is suggested, the nutritional content of the nut is impacted during the roasting process. Roasting – whether done dry or with oil – is going to impact the nutritional value. Most experts would disagree, but some studies show that this could be the case.
Roasting, though, will not impact the fat content of a nut. Roasted nuts see polyunsaturated fats adjust due to oxidation during the roasting process. When fat is oxidized, it can become a bit off-tasting and can ruin the flavor and quality of a meal. If you find that sometimes your nuts taste a bit funky, then it is probably due to the oxidation of the fats during the roasting process.
When roasted at low to medium heat, though, your nuts are far less likely to be spoiled or damaged in this way. Given that raw nuts are just as likely to contain potentially dangerous bacteria as a roasted nut is likely to be turned ‘off’ during roasting, though, it is a case of just accepting the minor risk that comes with either style of nut.
So, should you avoid roasted nuts? No. If you like them and you are aware that the roasting process has to be done right, then you have nothing to fear from eating roasted nuts. Until the studies become more empirical and numerous in their arguments against it, do not hold it against yourself for eating roasted nuts.