I am always looking for new, healthy snack ideas. I have always loved pistachios, but this time I paired them with some dried fruit and a small serving of chocolate and I found my new favorite snack!
I especially love pistachios when they are still in the shell. I actually enjoy taking them out of the shell and I like that it takes extra time to open up the shells. This makes me slow down when I am eating them. Otherwise they’d be gone in a blink of an eye! Pistachios are one of the lowest calorie nuts. Another reason why I love them… a one ounce serving equals 49 pistachios! That’s a large serving, right? There are only 28 peanuts in a serving, cashews only have 18, walnuts have just 14 halves in a single serving and there are only 23 almonds in one serving. I am all about a bigger serving size! Why not play an April Fool’s joke on your appetite (see what I did there?) and fool yourself into being full!
I tell my clients to reach for the pistachios instead of the chips when they are craving something salty. Unlike potato chips, pistachios offer a good source of protein and fiber, with over three times as many pieces per serving. Remember those 49 pistachios that come in a serving? There are only 15 chips in a serving! And how many of us actually stop at 15? Not many of us because that’s too small of a serving size. Pistachios for the win!
Healthy Pistachio Snack Mix
Ingredients
- 1 ounce serving of in-shell pistachios 49 pistachios
- 1 tablespoon unsweetened dried cranberries
- 1 tablespoon unsweetened dried cherries
- 1 teaspoon mini chocolate chips I used vegan chocolate chips
- 1 teaspoon white chocolate chips I used vegan white chocolate chips
Instructions
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Mix together and enjoy!
Did you know there is a Pistachio Health Institute where they study just how healthy these nuts are? The “Pistachio Principle” is a simple mindful eating concept that may help you “fool yourself full” – without feelings of deprivation. This simply means that consumption of in-shell pistachios encourages slower eating (it takes a time to open each shell which encourages slower eating) while the leftover shells offer an important visual cue about the amount consumed; thereby, helping to reduce calorie intake. And the fact that pistachios are one of the lowest calorie and among the highest fiber snack nuts only supports this principle. Check this out…
See all of those empty shells? That was only ONE serving!
This is NOT an April Fools joke, this is actually one serving of pistachios! Remember to always watch your serving sizes. Read labels to see what exactly is in a serving. It’s important for maintaining your weight and your health. And be sure to head over to The Pistachio Health Institute’s Facebook page to enter to win a year supply of pistachios! Now that’s an awesome giveaway. Good luck!
I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.
allie@ThroughHerLookingGlass says
April 1, 2015 at 12:31 pmLoved what I learned about pistachios and serving size, excellent information. This snack looks awesome, love everything in it. (Even the chocolate, ha!)
lauren.kelly says
April 1, 2015 at 4:33 pmThanks so much Allie!
Krista @ Joyful Healthy Eats says
April 1, 2015 at 3:44 pmSo true on the shell thing, it totally slows you down when eating them. A major bonus. Natures built in self-control! 🙂 Love this recipe Lauren!
lauren.kelly says
April 1, 2015 at 4:33 pmAnd I need to be slowed down when I am eating them Krista! 🙂
Kristen+@+A+Mind+Full+Mom says
April 4, 2015 at 2:23 pmMy daughter’s favorite nut is a pistachio, she will pick it over candy any day. This snack mix is great for her.
Anne says
April 6, 2015 at 6:29 pmThis is very informative. I was not aware of the protein/fiber info and the large serving size in comparison with other nuts. Just the excuse to eat more! Pistachios have always been my favorite nut (and my kids’) but with the dried fruit and chocolate we love it even more!
lauren.kelly says
April 6, 2015 at 7:46 pmThanks so much for stopping by Anne! Pistachios are my favorite too 🙂
Jessica @ Stuck On Sweet says
April 28, 2015 at 12:32 pmI love pistachios and never knew they were the lowest in calories! I need to snack on them more often!
lauren.kelly says
April 28, 2015 at 2:23 pmI always have them in my house Jessica! 🙂
Anna @ Crunchy Creamy Sweet says
April 28, 2015 at 3:49 pmWe LOVE pistachios! This snack mix will be perfect for our hiking trips this summer!
The Food Hunter says
April 28, 2015 at 7:34 pmthis is what I snack on pre workout!
Ginny McMeans says
April 28, 2015 at 7:48 pmI could spend a long time and have a lot of fun eating that snack. Love pistachios!
Martha @ A Family Feast says
April 28, 2015 at 8:44 pmThis would totally cure my salty snack cravings – plus a little bit of sweet too! Great information!
Amanda @ The Kitcheneer says
April 28, 2015 at 11:44 pmI could totally dig into this! I could have a small amount as my post workout snack!
Lora @cakeduchess says
April 29, 2015 at 9:55 amI’ve always loved pistachios. I even love to bake with them. I would take them any day over potato chips, although I couldn’t stop at 49! Great information!!
Paula - bell'alimento says
April 29, 2015 at 2:15 pmThis is a perfect snack mix! We love making up a version of this for road trips.
Kim Beaulieu says
May 1, 2015 at 2:50 amI eat pistachios every single day. I love them. I think when I tried WW eons ago it said 40 per day or so. I was like c’mon now. Ha. Great snack mix, I have to give it a whirl.
lauren.kelly says
May 1, 2015 at 8:32 pmI eat them every day too Kim, great taste 😉
Nutmeg Nanny says
May 1, 2015 at 4:40 amI LOVE pistachios! They are so fun to eat and give me something to do with my hands so I eat slower. Love this mix….yum!
lauren.kelly says
May 1, 2015 at 8:31 pmThank you Brandi 🙂