Paleo and ketogenic (keto) diets are the hot ticket in 2021, both lending themselves to the potential of a fresh start to the new year. Although each new year lends itself to fad diets, these two have shown resilience and staying power due to their tenets, both of which welcome the consumption of walnuts.
A paleo diet, explained by the Mayo Clinic, is one that typically includes lean meats, fish, fruit, vegetables and — we’re happy to report — nuts. Basically, allowable foods are those that were around in the Paleolithic era (approximately 2.5 million to 10,000 years ago) and could be gathered by hunting and fishing. Walnuts fit in amazingly well in this diet, topping the list of approved ingredients. Food manufacturers have responded to the continued prominence of the paleo diet and have expanded product portfolios to include everything from paleo-friendly snack mixes to brownies.
The keto diet includes four versions, according to Healthline, but the main idea is that it involves “drastically reducing carbohydrate intake and replacing it with fat. This reduction in carbs puts your body into a metabolic state called ketosis.” In doing so, the body will burn fat for energy, turning fat into ketones in the liver, resulting in higher energy in the brain. Walnuts are an essential ingredient in the low-carb, high-fat keto philosophy.
Walnuts are perfect for both plant-based and high-fat diets because they are on team “good fat,” supplying 2.5g per ounce of plant-based omega-3 alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), the only nut with this designation. Almost three-quarters of Americans identify omega-3s, a polyunsaturated fat, as being good for them. Additionally, four in five people recognize that some fats may be good for them, which is reflected in these new paleo- and keto-friendly product launches.
Probiotic Keto Snack Mix, Nature’s Garden
This unique mix includes walnuts and cheese balls, enclosed in a convenient, 18 oz resealable package with only 170 calories per serving. There’s only 1g of sugar and 15g of fat, typical of a keto-friendly offering.
Walnut Choc Chip Brownie, Salivation Snackfoods
Released in late 2020, this new line of brownies satisfies both paleo and keto lovers. There is no added sugar and three net carbs, and the made-with-walnuts brownies are gluten-free. Additional ingredients include cocoa powder, eggs and avocado oil.
Keto-Friendly Walnut Fudge Brownie Cups, Duncan Hines
For those following the keto diet, you’re in luck. There are 5 grams of net carbs, 10 grams of protein and 0 grams of added sugar in these sweet treats, housed in a no-mess container. The microwavable brownie is made without gluten-containing ingredients.
