• Choosing the Healthiest Foods for Your Family

    Welcome! I am a mom of a busy 8 year old and an adventurous 6 year old. I also happen to work for a great company called NuVal. NuVal is a nutritional scoring system that rates foods on a scale of 1-100, based on how nutritious they are. We are implementing NuVal in grocery stores around the country.

    NuVal may not be in your area yet. But I see the scores while they are "hot off the press" and because of that I am able to make better decisions about what to feed my family.

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  • Disclaimer

    I am not a registered dietitian. I am just a mom who happens to work for NuVal. I am also an AFAA-certified Group Exercise Instructor. NuVal is a system designed to lead customers to the most nutritious food choices. It is not a diet or weight-loss plan. Before starting a diet, you should always consult your personal physician. The opinions expressed in this blog are the opinions of the writer and not the opinions of NuVal LLC.

Trade-Up Tuesday: Nuts About Nuts!

Tuesday, March 23, 2010 at 07:08 AM

Welcome to Trade-Up Tuesday, a weekly feature here on A Better Bag of Groceries where I tell you about a trade-up I’ve made since learning about NuVal and I give away free stuff.  Today’s topic:  Nuts!  I am nuts about nuts.  And since coming to work for NuVal in the Fall of 2008, and learning more about the benefits of nuts, I have definitely added them to my repertoire.   These are the two that I eat just about every day.

My first nuts of the day come in the form of Walnuts.  They get a fantastic NuVal score:  82!  I love to sprinkle a few on my oatmeal.  I vary my concoction, but here’s a good example of my breakfast:

1/2 cup Hodgson Mill Regular Oat Bran Hot Cereal:  NuVal Score of 60

1 Tbsp Raisins:  NuVal score of 91

1 Tbsp Walnuts:  NuVal Score of 82

1 tsp flax seeds:  not yet scored

1 tsp brown sugar: NuVal Score of 1

While this breakfast does hold me for a while, I do need a snack before I get to lunch.  Blame it on that early morning Spinning class and the subsequent rush of getting two kids off to school and me to work, but I’m a hungry girl.  So usually, by about 10 am, it’s Almond Time.  Plain almonds get a super NuVal score, too.  An 81!  However, you need to be wary of what’s been done to your almonds.  Remember the post where I found out that the roasted, unsalted almonds that I had been buying were roasted with oil?  It was tragic.

To Enter:

You can win both bags of nuts plus a NuVal t-shirt!  All you need to do is leave a comment below answering the following question:

  • What are you nuts about?

One winner will be selected at random by 10 am EST Wednesday.  So be sure to check back here to see if you’ve won.  Good Luck!

Posted by: Melissa 59 comments

Posted in: almonds, Trade-Up Tuesday

Tags: , ,

59 Comments on “Trade-Up Tuesday: Nuts About Nuts!”

  1. #1 Julie @ Pickley Pear
    on Mar 23rd, 2010 at 7:26 am

    Nuts about almonds, all the way! I love them plain, and usually add them to my yogurt and fruit in the morning. They add crunch and healthiness, in moderation, of course :)

  2. #2 Joanna Sutter
    on Mar 23rd, 2010 at 7:59 am

    I’m nuts about almonds!

    Brown sugar gets a NuVal score of 91? Hmmm. Head scratcher!

  3. #3 Noel
    on Mar 23rd, 2010 at 8:33 am

    I’m nuts about Nuval!!!

  4. #4 Carol
    on Mar 23rd, 2010 at 8:38 am

    I am nuts about cashews,I make homemade cashew butter using my Vita mix at home, it’s great

  5. #5 Christine
    on Mar 23rd, 2010 at 8:47 am

    Definitely nuts about almonds! I usually need a something to eat around the same time, 10-ish, so I bring a small handful of almonds with me to snack on at work with some sort of fruit.

  6. #6 Don
    on Mar 23rd, 2010 at 8:55 am

    I am nuts about slivered almonds, love ‘em on salads

  7. #7 Nancy
    on Mar 23rd, 2010 at 8:55 am

    I’m nuts about all nuts! Walnuts and almonds are tops, but pistachios and cashews are yummy too! I put them on just about everything — cashews or peanuts on my stir frys, walnuts or almonds in my oatmeal, cottage cheese, yogurt and salad. As a vegetarian they also give me a great protein boost.

  8. #8 Marcie
    on Mar 23rd, 2010 at 8:56 am

    Definitely am nuts about almonds, I make a great almond crusted chicken

  9. #9 Em
    on Mar 23rd, 2010 at 9:02 am

    I’m just discovering nuts, but so far my favorite are definitely almonds. I have a bag of them in my work out bag and I munch on a handful an hour or so before I work out or right after I work out. That way I can get home to make dinner with out trying to bite my husband’s face off.

  10. #10 Bill
    on Mar 23rd, 2010 at 9:06 am

    My kids love chopped roasted peanuts sprinkled inside their pb&js

  11. #11 JL
    on Mar 23rd, 2010 at 9:15 am

    I am nuts about making homemade nut butter, it’s fun to experiment…macadamia nut butter is awesome!

  12. #12 Tiffany
    on Mar 23rd, 2010 at 9:18 am

    oooh i’m nuts about almonds for sure! especially the ones i roast at home. the smell of roasted almonds straight out of the oven is just out-of-this-world good!

  13. #13 Carolyn
    on Mar 23rd, 2010 at 9:20 am

    I’m nuts about folding chopped walnuts into homemade banana muffins and blueberry pancakes, love the crunch

  14. #14 Alisha
    on Mar 23rd, 2010 at 9:28 am

    im nuts about almonds,, almond butter,, blueberries..
    i feel as if im chomping on my almonds and blueberries 24/7

  15. #15 Tricia Kuchler
    on Mar 23rd, 2010 at 9:33 am

    I am nuts about cashews, peanuts, and Nutella (even though they’re not very healthy), but I eat almonds daily. I have found that they hold me over really well between meals or are a great addition to a smaller meal. Also, who doesn’t love a hearty spoonful of crunchy peanut butter?!

  16. #16 Barbara
    on Mar 23rd, 2010 at 9:37 am

    Walnuts….My mid-morning snack is a Chobani yogurt with some walnuts thrown in.

  17. #17 christina
    on Mar 23rd, 2010 at 9:42 am

    i’m nuts about almonds, but can’t stop eating peanut butter!

  18. #18 Emily B
    on Mar 23rd, 2010 at 9:47 am

    I’m nuts about eating healthy but enjoying everything in moderation. I love love love almonds, especially in a trail mix.

  19. #19 Melissa
    on Mar 23rd, 2010 at 9:55 am

    Oops. That 91 on the brown sugar was a typo! Brown sugar gets a 1!

  20. #20 Ambre
    on Mar 23rd, 2010 at 9:59 am

    I’m def. nuts about almonds! I love them all! :)

  21. #21 Andrea@WellnessNotes
    on Mar 23rd, 2010 at 10:00 am

    I’m nuts about walnuts in my oatmeal. I’m off to eat some right now… :)

  22. #22 Kari
    on Mar 23rd, 2010 at 10:08 am

    I am in trouble if there is an open bag of walnuts in the house. I love walnuts!

  23. #23 Yum Yucky
    on Mar 23rd, 2010 at 10:10 am

    So I bought a bag of flax seeds on a whim, thinking I’d figured out what to do with it later. And now I know. I’ll throw it in my oats! Thanks, woman.

  24. #24 Christy
    on Mar 23rd, 2010 at 10:11 am

    Love all nuts…the deluxe package. Another great option is organic nut butters. Cashew butter is one of my favorite.

  25. #25 marie
    on Mar 23rd, 2010 at 10:12 am

    I’m nuts about early morning Spin classes followed by a nice big bowl of oatmeal!

  26. #26 Jenny
    on Mar 23rd, 2010 at 10:15 am

    I’m nuts about my newly set goal of training for a triathlon and about putting nuts in my salads for a nice crunch!

  27. #27 Carol
    on Mar 23rd, 2010 at 10:45 am

    I’m nuts about pistachios! They are my new favorite nut, but we always have walnuts and almonds in the house too.

  28. #28 Carolyn C.
    on Mar 23rd, 2010 at 10:50 am

    Love, love, love pistachios too! I can’t stop eating them!!!

  29. #29 Gabrielle
    on Mar 23rd, 2010 at 10:52 am

    I am definitely nuts about almonds. I love to mix them up with dried fruit and keep them in my purse for a healthy snack!

  30. #30 Dana
    on Mar 23rd, 2010 at 10:52 am

    I’m nuts about Almonds and Cashews!!!!!!!

  31. #31 Arlene
    on Mar 23rd, 2010 at 10:55 am

    I’m nuts about almonds and pecans. Pistachios are great, too.

  32. #32 Jennifer
    on Mar 23rd, 2010 at 10:58 am

    I’m nuts about nuts, all kinds of nuts, especially walnuts almonds and pine nuts. I sprinkle them on everything from hot cereal in the morning to big salads at night. Plus I love munching on them throughout the day!

  33. #33 Food Makes Fun Fuel
    on Mar 23rd, 2010 at 11:20 am

    I’m nuts about peanut butter and chocolate! They’re better together :-)

  34. #34 Ibu
    on Mar 23rd, 2010 at 11:22 am

    I am nuts about nuts! Before I moved to the States, the only nuts I knew were peanuts and cashew nuts. Now I can name about 7 different types of nuts and I think that is amazing. I eat almonds almost everyday and my favorite nuts to bake with are walnuts. i am a big nuts fan..:)

  35. #35 Ashley
    on Mar 23rd, 2010 at 11:44 am

    I am nuts about almonds and walnuts!

  36. #36 Mary Z
    on Mar 23rd, 2010 at 11:48 am

    Pistachios are my favorite nut. Almonds is a close second. That oatmeal looks sooooo yummy!

  37. #37 Tricia
    on Mar 23rd, 2010 at 11:53 am

    I love all nuts. The key is moderation though. I recently tried almond butter for the first time and found its a great alternative to peanut butter.

  38. #38 Ali
    on Mar 23rd, 2010 at 11:59 am

    I’m nuts about pistachios, but loveeeee almonds! I add them to my oatmeal or yogurt every morning.

  39. #39 Stacie
    on Mar 23rd, 2010 at 12:04 pm

    I really love almonds and cashews, but peanuts hold a special place in my heart because my great grandfather was a peanut farmer!

  40. #40 Jenna
    on Mar 23rd, 2010 at 12:08 pm

    I would have to say I’m nuts about cashews! Love em’.

  41. #41 Cellabella
    on Mar 23rd, 2010 at 12:12 pm

    I’m nuts about roasted almonds, toasted pepitas, salted pistachios, and candied pecans :) I know that peanuts are legumes, but I heart peanut butter as well!

  42. #42 Lindsey
    on Mar 23rd, 2010 at 12:34 pm

    I am nuts about cashews!

  43. #43 Jennifer
    on Mar 23rd, 2010 at 12:46 pm

    I’m nuts about almost all nuts, but almonds, walnuts, and pecans are my faves. I love to toast them for a couple minutes in a pan on the stovetop, then toss them in a green salad.

  44. #44 Kelsey
    on Mar 23rd, 2010 at 1:38 pm

    i’m nuts about my project i’m finishing up in my architecture studio class. :]

  45. #45 Emily GG
    on Mar 23rd, 2010 at 2:04 pm

    I am nuts about eating healthy, and that includes eating nuts :)

  46. #46 Blair
    on Mar 23rd, 2010 at 3:00 pm

    I’m nuts about nut butters! I’ve always been a fan of peanut butter, but in the past year or so since I’ve started reading more blogs, I’ve become aware of the nut butter world. I’m currently working my way through a jar of sunflower seed butter and LOVING it!

  47. #47 kalli@fitandfortysomething
    on Mar 23rd, 2010 at 3:05 pm

    oh i love almost all nuts! cashews and almonds may be my favs though :)

  48. #48 Laura
    on Mar 23rd, 2010 at 3:07 pm

    I eat a handful of nuts every day. I alternate between pecans (my very favorite), walnuts, almonds and pistachios.

  49. #49 Lora
    on Mar 23rd, 2010 at 3:50 pm

    I’ve just recently discovered that I am nuts about pine nuts!! So rich tasting and smooth. YUM!!

  50. #50 Hazel
    on Mar 23rd, 2010 at 4:03 pm

    Well, I am named after a nut – need I say more :)

  51. #51 Kim Piro
    on Mar 23rd, 2010 at 4:09 pm

    I love pistachios, peanuts and LOVE peanut butter…it is usually my choice for toast instead of butter. I LOVE Hazel’s comment too!! HA!!

  52. #52 Macrae Carreker
    on Mar 23rd, 2010 at 6:27 pm

    I’m nuts about SPRING!! I love this weather and pistachios in my ice cream!

  53. #53 Doreen
    on Mar 23rd, 2010 at 7:27 pm

    I’m nuts about pine nuts…. on a salad along with goat cheese,sliced pears and balsalmic dressing.
    I’m still laughing at Hazels comment…that’s hard to beat!

  54. #54 Mary Ellen
    on Mar 23rd, 2010 at 8:33 pm

    I am nuts about eating toasted walnuts in my hot oatmeal. I am nuts about eating a peanut butter and Nutella sandwich at lunch time. I am nuts about putting toasted cashews in my stir-fry for dinner. I am nuts about toasting pecans and dripping chocolate flavored bark on top of them and eating them for dessert or giving them away as gifts. I am nuts about eating almonds as a snack. Am I nuts for loving nuts so much?

  55. #55 Christine
    on Mar 23rd, 2010 at 10:13 pm

    Almonds and pecans are my favorite!

  56. #56 Joseline
    on Mar 24th, 2010 at 8:02 am

    I’m nuts about dark chocolate!!

  57. #57 Amanda
    on Mar 24th, 2010 at 8:36 am

    Dark Chocolate covered soy nuts in a mix with raw almonds… delicious, and I’m nuts about it!

  58. #58 Gabrielle
    on Mar 24th, 2010 at 9:52 am

    I love walnuts. They are so good in cereals and in any baking recipe!

  59. #59 Dana
    on Mar 24th, 2010 at 6:25 pm

    I’m nuts for all healthy nuts!!!!!!!!!

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