Are you looking to eat healthier in the new year? I certainly am. With several weeks of holiday parties and meals behind me, I am resolving to cut back on treats and start the new year off right with healthy, nutritious foods that satisfy. I have recently discovered a new ally in the fight to eat right: in-shell pistachios.  

Pistachios, a top food trend for 2015, are known as the “Skinny Nut” because they’re one of the lowest calorie, lowest fat nuts and among the highest in protein. Protein is absolutely critical to staying energized and feeling full when trying to lose weight and eat healthier.  Pistachios also offer more nuts per serving compared to most other snack nuts, which makes me feel like I am getting more bang for my caloric buck: pistachios offer about 49 nuts per one-ounce serving while peanuts offer just 28, cashews 18, and walnuts, 14 halves and almonds only 23. That same one-ounce serving of pistachios also provides three grams of fiber.

 

When I am craving something crunchy and salty, reaching for a handful of in-shell pistachios is a smart and satisfying choice for not a lot of calories.  Indeed, thirty pistachios, which feels like a large serving, is only 100 calories. By choosing in-shell pistachios, I can keep track of how many I have had by simply counting the shells and shelling the nuts before I eat them slows me down and causes me to eat more mindfully.  

 Pistachios, of course, play an important role in many global cuisines, in part because they pair so well with other foods. Pistachios work well when paired with other salty foods and even sweet foods. So, in keeping with the idea of eating more mindfully, I love to create delicious pairings with my in-shell pistachios to ensure that I am having a balanced, nutritious snack that satisfies my cravings. Here are some of my favorite ways to enjoy in-shell pistachios.  

• The Pistachio Cheese Plate: everyone knows that cheese, nuts and dried fruit are an irresistible combination. For my in-shell pistachio cheese plate, I combine a single serving of sharp cheddar — this piece has only 80 calories — with a serving of in-shell pistachios and dried apricots. It feels just like a cheese course at an elegant restaurant! And with protein and fiber, this snack will carry me from lunch until dinner without feeling hungry.

• Pistachio Yogurt Parfait: I don’t know about you, but I have a hard time eating a healthy breakfast in the morning. But we all know that eating breakfast is important for jump-starting your metabolism and staving off cravings later in the day. So I start my morning right with a Pistachio Yogurt Parfait made with plain Greek yogurt sweetened with honey and topped with cacao nibs and pistachios for crunch. Those cacao nibs satisfy my chocolate cravings while providing fiber, iron and magnesium. Delicious with a mug of green tea!

• Pistachio Protein Plate: As I mentioned, I find that eating enough protein is the best way for me to stay energized and satisfied while trying to eat less and lose weight. This high-protein snack of a hard-boiled egg, in-shell pistachios and Kalamata olives is under 300 calories but so satisfying and nutritious. For people who love salty foods, like me, this snack is the perfect substitute for chips and other salty foods that lack nutritional value.

• Nectar of the Gods: Perhaps the name of this snack is an overstatement. But there is something about the combination of in-shell pistachios, grapes and pomegranate seeds that makes me think of Greek mythology. You cannot go wrong with ancient, whole foods like these three. This combination of sweet, tart and salty flavors is a terrific way to end a meal.

Right now, the Pistachio Health Institute is running a Year of the Skinny Nut sweepstakes to introduce everyone to the health benefits and delicious taste of in-shell pistachios. You can win a year’s supply of pistachios, which will keep you snacking all year long! To enter, visit the Pistachio Health Institute Facebook page before January 31.   Tell me: what is your favorite way to eat pistachios?  

Full disclosure time:I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.