Hi everyone this is Monica Reinagel the nutrition diva here with your quick and dirty

tips for eating well and feeling fabulous and this week's show is all about peanuts.

I've talked in past shows about the many health benefits you can get from nuts.

They're a great vegetarian source of protein and fiber and healthy fats,

and diets high in nuts and nut products

have been linked to a reduced risk of heart disease and certain cancers

and they've been shown to help with weight management.

They're relatively non-perishable and they're easy to carry around with you, but the most

commonly consumed nut isn't really a nut at all. Peanuts, which are known in some places as ground nuts, are technically legumes.

They're more closely related to chickpeas and soybeans than they are to almonds, walnuts,

or other so-called tree nuts.

Peanuts offer all the same health benefits as tree nuts,

which is great because peanuts tend to be cheaper and more widely available

than a lot of other nuts.

But in addition, peanuts offer a few bonus benefits that you don't get from tree nuts.

First of all, because they're actually legumes and not true nuts,

peanuts are higher in protein than most nuts, and the protein that they provide is more complete.

Peanuts are also a better source of folate, which not only protects against birth defects but also helps build strong bones

and provides protection against heart disease and cancer. In addition, peanuts are a

good source of vitamin E, a nutrient that a lot of us don't get enough of in our regular diets.

Secondly, peanuts have some designer antioxidants.

I'm sure you've heard of Resveratrol.

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