The one thing about eating raw almonds is to make sure that they’re raw. Some manufacturers who sell bulk nuts steam them before they sell them, then treat them with a chemical. Then, the buyer should make sure that the almonds aren’t rancid. One trick is to put them in water. By putting them in water, the almonds that float are tainted. If they float, it’s best that they should be discarded.

Health Benefits

Aside from the other good things other nuts have, almonds also have copper and manganese. These are needed in trace amounts by the body. Copper is necessary to make red blood cells and is a catalyst for the storage and release of iron. It also helps the body make collagen, which keeps skin, bones, cartilage and tendons supple. Manganese is needed for normal bone structure and to metabolize glucose. It helps the body break down carbohydrates and fats into fuel and might be an antioxidant.

They are also rich in riboflavin or Vitamin B2, which is needed for growth and the repair of tissues. Raw almonds also seem to lower a person’s risk of developing gallstones and might help people maintain a healthy weight.

Almonds are also high in Vitamin E.  Vitamin E helps support heart health, guards against cataracts and cervical cancer and bolsters the immune system. Some medical professionals believe Vitamin E can help with Parkinson’s disease. By consuming about an ounce of almonds has over a third of the average person’s RDA of Vitamin E.

They are cholesterol free and low on the glycemic index, which means they don’t flood the bloodstream with glucose after they’re eaten. This means they’re beneficial to people with diabetes and can help protect against diabetes.

After buying and soaking the bulk nuts, almonds should be put in the refrigerator. Learn more by reading “Ways to Correctly Store Nuts” regarding preparations, drying options, and useful tips on storing bulk nuts.

Enjoy almonds, as they can be eaten out of hand, as a salad or dessert topping, or mixed with string beans. Tropical Foods is a food manufacturer, importer and distributor of bulk nuts and bulk packaged snack mixes & specialty foods.

For such a small piece, the flax seed has a similar vitamin and mineral profile and is high in fiber and antioxidants like grain. Research suggests flax can provide health benefits like reducing heart disease and cancer risks. Ground flax seed is better for digestion and more of the nutrition benefits are retained. Ground flax seed can be mixed with sandwich condiments, hot or cold cereal, breakfast shakes and an excellent addition to many baked goods like breads, muffins and cookies. When you’re adding some fruit to your yogurt add some ground flax seed too. If you purchase whole flax seed and need it ground once you get it to the kitchen a coffee grinder works great for this.

Tropical Foods has Brown, Golden and ground Flax for its wholesale customers.

We had some incredible entries, but in the end, our panel of judges chose the best.

First place went to The Chocolate Bottle for Green Tea Filled Oreo Cookies

A very close second place went to MommyB Knows Best for Valentines Day Treats

And third place was Dip, Baby, Dip! from Grocery Lane

Thank you to all the entries for making this a great contest!

Strict rules are in place by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) where sugars are defined. A product with less than 0.5 grams of sugar per serving is considered “Sugar Free”. A product can be listed as “No Sugar Added” if no sugar is added in processing. “Reduced Sugar” can be listed if a product is produced with at least 25% less sugar than a relevant reference food.

A sugar free lifestyle can be beneficial or even necessary if you’re watching caloric intake, are diabetic or have any other health concerns. A sugar free lifestyle can include fruits, vegetables and proteins, which contain natural sugars the body needs to function. Sugar free doesn’t mean that desserts and candy are off the menu. Cookies, cakes, pies, even chocolate with no sugar or a sugar substitute can be a very sweet option.

Tropical Foods has a number of items with varying sugar claims, please ask you sales rep for more details.

Preparation of Nuts

Light and heat can increase the time it takes for nuts to spoil, so it’s important to make room for them in your pantry, refrigerator, or freezer. Containers that have air-tight seals should be used when storing nuts such as glass jars, plastic containers, and freezer bags. When purchasing bulk nuts, allow yourself to have enough storing containers to ensure that you properly store all the nuts. Labels are essential by including the type of nut and the date purchased. Either make them up ahead of time or simply use masking tape and a marker.

Drying Option for Bulk Nuts

This step is not strictly needed, but will help keep your nuts fresher for longer period of time. Nuts still in their shell should be spread loosely on a tray or cookie sheet and placed next to your working furnace. The temperature should be lower than 100 degrees Fahrenheit and there should be air flow. Keep your nuts next to the furnace for two to three days and check them constantly, about every 8 to 10 hours. If the shells are cracking, that means the nuts are drying out too fast. The time it takes nuts to dry depends on what type of nut they are and how many you have to dry.

Storing Nuts

Before storing, nuts can be washed and it’s recommended that they are completely dry before placing in their containers. For short term storage, up to three months, storing in the pantry is fine and is the most commonly used form of storing. For storage up to six months, store in the refrigerator and keep away from onions and other strong-smelling foods as the nuts will pick up their smells. For longer term storage, the freezer will keep your nuts fresh up to a year. As the water content is low, freezing won’t affect the taste. Just make sure that you don’t forget to add the label.

Tips and Information 

• Unsalted nuts keep longer than salted ones.
• Whole nuts keep better than chopped or ground ones.
• Pecans, peanuts, and walnuts are more prone to spoiling.
• Cashews and almonds are the least prone to spoiling.
• Raw nuts spoil faster than roasted ones.
• Always taste before using in cooking.
• Nuts in shells keep longer than those without.

Tropical Foods is a food manufacturer, importer and distributor of bulk nuts and bulk packaged snacks & specialty foods.

The pistachio’s high nutritional value and long storage life makes it great travel snack. Pair pistachios with low-fat cheese, apple slices, sprinkled over plain yogurt or mix with dried fruit and dark chocolate pieces for a healthy snack option. Snack options as healthy and flavorful as these make it simple to understand why, inChina, the pistachio is known as “the happy nut”.

Learn more about the wholesale bulk nuts Tropical Nut & Fruit can provide your business HERE

Many foods contain good levels of unsaturated fats, magnesium and fiber that all contribute to lowering the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Consider incorporating foods that are  rich in these compounds and minerals if you want to help prevent the development of type 2 diabetes. Peanuts and a variety of snack mixes contain these elements in varying degrees.

According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, studies indicate people who consume a diet high in fiber are better able to control blood sugar levels and lower insulin. A typical serving of two tablespoons of peanut butter contains 2 grams of dietary fiber. Oregon State University sites a study that concludes consuming peanut butter five times a week lowered the likelihood of developing type 2 diabetes by 21 percent.

Magnesium is one mineral that the body contains in abundance and is essential to maintain your overall health. In addition to contributing to heart health, a strong immune system and normal blood pressure, magnesium also helps to regulate blood sugar. One ounce of dried peanuts and two tablespoons of peanut butter contain 50 milligrams or 15 percent of the recommended daily value of magnesium.

Consuming a healthy well-balanced diet to help prevent the development of type 2 diabetes also includes regulating the amount of fat you consume. While there are many low-fat foods, some of them typically contain a far greater amount of calories than those that contain healthy, good fats. The good fats contribute to the production of essential fatty acids and vitamins essential for good health. Good fats include monounsaturated fats, in which you can attain 7 grams when you consume 2 tablespoons of peanut butter. Make sure you view Tropical Foods Healthy Living section, displaying nuts, mixed nuts, bulk nuts, and dried fruit that are labeled as  Healthy Foods by the FDA.

While it’s true that nuts contain high levels of fat, it is mostly unsaturated fat. Unsaturated fat is good for you, we need it in our diets. It helps lower LDL, or bad cholesterol, and it helps us maintain good cholesterol, or HDL. There is also a lot of other nutrients pack in nuts, including high levels of protein, Vitamin E, zinc, Calcium and Magnesium. Each nut has it’s own specific health benefits as well described in Tropical Foods Nuts & Seeds Fun Facts. Peanuts are high in protein. Walnuts have omega 3 fatty acids. Nuts contain high levels of fiber, which many people don’t get enough of in their diets. Nut oils are also a good way to reduce some fat in your diet. Peanut oil can be substituted in many instances, and the taste difference is negligible.

Nuts are also a good addition to a healthy diet. Rather than having a bag of chips, have a handful of mixed nuts. By eating nuts, you will feel more full and the health benefits are better than processed snacks. Nuts are good to have on you at all times because they are easy to eat, and just a handful or two can help curb hunger for hours. You will find that you’re not as hungry at meal times if you regularly snack on healthy nuts.

Some things you will want to keep in mind is that nuts, like anything else, need to be eaten in moderation. Many nuts come salted and can add extra sodium. Tropical Foods offers a variety of raw unsalted nuts, offering more health benefits and can be a fresh options which is always better.

Nuts are a great food to snack on and can easily be included in a variety of diets.  Learn how to include nuts into your meals by browse Tropical Foods healthy living recipes.  They have been a staple of human diets for a long time, and continue to provide great nutrition to all who enjoy eating them.  Tropical Foods is a food manufacturer, importer and distributor of bulk and packaged snacks & specialty foods.

Or maybe you’ve got a “too good not to share” dipping chocolate idea. Whatever it is, tell us your favorite foods to dip in chocolate.

Enter the Tropical Foods “Dipping Chocolate Deliciousness” Blogger Contest, and you could receive a prize of:

• One of ten (10) dipping chocolate gift baskets from Tropical Foods
• A $100 Visa gift card

To enter, write a 200-250 word blog post about your five favorite snacks for dipping in chocolate. Be sure to mention the Tropical Foods “Dipping Chocolates” Contest and include a link to www.dippingchocolates.com.

Go to www.dippingchocolates.com to enter!

By Sheila Neisler

Whatever the occasion, there’s no better greeting than a selection of tropical nuts and fruits, by themselves or in freshly baked goods or healthy snack mixes, from Tropical Nut & Fruit Co., headquartered right here in Charlotte……….

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