I have always loved nuts. I don’t think there is a nut that I don’t like. I can honestly say I love all varieties. Of course I do have my favorites like peanuts, walnuts, pecans, almonds and cashews, but toss a few Brazil nuts or macadamia nuts my way and I certainly won’t say “no”.
People often shy away from nuts because they worry about them having too much fat and calories. I used to feel that way until I learned that the kind of fat you find in nuts is actually a healthy fat. Yes, nuts can be high in fat grams and calories, but anything within moderation is relatively OK for you. Especially nuts! Nuts are a healthier snack option compared to cookies and chips. Not only that, nuts are a good source of vitamins and minerals that are essential for a healthy, balanced diet.
Nuts can also be good for your heart. According to the FDA certain nuts, such as whole or chopped peanuts, almonds, hazelnuts, pistachios, walnuts and pecans (does not apply to cashews, macadamia nuts, Brazil nuts and pine nuts);
“Scientific evidence suggests, but does not prove, that eating 1.5 ounces per day of most nuts, as part of a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol and not resulting in increased caloric intake, may reduce the risk of coronary heart disease. See nutrition information for fat content.”
Nuts can also help keep you full and satisfied, which can help you to avoid unhealthy snacking later on. Many nuts are a good source of dietary fiber and they are an important source of plant proteins. Nuts can also give you a bit of a boost in your energy.
If you are nuts about nuts like I am then you’ll want to check out some new products from Planters. They are taking nuts to a whole new level!
Move over honey roasted, salted and chocolate covered nuts – there are some new nuts in town. Specifically Planters Honey BBQ and Planters Roasted Onion Garlic peanuts. OH YEAH!!!
I have gone back and forth between both peanuts trying to figure out which one I like best. Some days it’s the sweet Honey BBQ peanuts. Other days it’s Roasted Onion Garlic peanuts which are bursting with flavor. My kids tend to favor the Honey BBQ, most likely because it’s sweet. I happen to think the Roasted Onion Garlic flavor is more versatile. I can’t wait to try some sprinkled over a salad, or perhaps used in a recipe. They really do have a delicious onion and garlic flavor to them.
I have tossed a few into my homemade snack mix (pretzels, M&Ms…). They really liven up the flavor when compared to plain peanuts.
Planters has portion controlled servings of peanuts in perfect on-the-go packaging. These are perfect for school lunches, and work lunches too. I have been tucking individual packages of Planters peanuts in both of my kid’s lunches. They are enjoying the change of pace from their usual lunch fare. I have given them nuts to take to school in the past, but I have had to measure out the right amount and put them in a reusable container. With the new individual packages it’s all done for you. Just grab one before you leave your home and you have a snack ready when you need it.
My husband keeps a few packages in his desk at work. He said it’s a good way to keep him from making his way to the venting machine when he has the munchies or he needs a snack to hold him over until dinner.
Each box contains 10 individual packs and are available in salted and honey roasted peanut flavors.
Speaking of on the go snacks, have you tried the new Nut-rition snack packs? My kids keep reaching for them when they get home from school. I’ve actually had to tuck a few of them away so that my kids don’t eat them all.
Planter’s Nut-rition products are a great source of dietary fiber, copper, manganese, magnesium and Vitamin E. They combine yummy nuts like peanuts, almonds, pecans and walnuts along with dark chocolate covered soy nuts and honey roasted sesame sticks to almonds, peanuts, walnuts and pecans are combined with the yummy goodness of additional ingredients such as dark chocolate-covered soy nuts, honey roasted sesame sticks, apples, honey and cinnamon.
I have not tried any of the Nut-rition products until now. Mmmm… I’m so glad I did! I love the combination of sweet and salty.
We have a few packages of Nut-rition Sustaining Energy mixes in Chocolate Nut, Apple Cinnamon and Honey Nut. I was sure that Chocolate Nut would be my favorite since I love chocolate, but it’s actually the Apple Cinnamon I like the best out of the three. I love the dried fruit in with the nuts, plus a kiss of cinnamon. It makes me want to reach for a bag right now.
I’m not sure if they really help me sustain energy because I’m always fatigued due to my Anemia and other health quirks, but with 10 grams of protein I know I’m snacking on a better for you snack option. Not only that they taste great!
One of the biggest surprises from Planters that I tried was their new Planters Nut-rition Cherry Chocolate Peanut Butter. Yes, you read that correctly – CHERRY CHOCOLATE PEANUT BUTTER.
I wasn’t sure what to expect with this. I love cherries, I love peanut butter and of course I love chocolate… but all three mixed together? Humm… I mean, chocolate covered cherries are delicious, and I LOVE chocolate covered peanut butter – but all together?
I finally dived in and tried a spoonful. Oh my goodness! I don’t know what I was so hesitant about. The flavors all mixed together taste so good together!
It doesn’t taste like regular peanut butter (obviously). It tastes more gourmet, like something you would be served for breakfast at a fancy hotel or restaurant. You really can taste the cherry!
I have not tried this on a sandwich yet, but I have tried it on toast, crackers and dare I say from a spoon. :-). It’s an amazing flavor combination.
If you like chocolate, cherry and peanut butter you must grab a jar and try it out for yourself. It takes peanut butter to a whole new level!
These are just some of the yummy new products available on store shelves from Kraft. While you are looking for the Planters Peanuts mentioned in this post you might also want to check out other new Kraft products including Kool-Aid Unsweetened Watermelon drink mix. I can’t keep a pitcher of this stuff long enough in my fridge before my kids drink it all up. I like that it’s not sugary sweet and it has a nice watermelon flavor. This is going to be a great beverage to serve at barbecues and picnics this coming summer. Watermelon and Summer time go hand-in-hand. Of course you can enjoy watermelon year round too. Since Watermelons are not in season now it’s nice to have a fun alternative.
Another beverage worth mentioning is the new Mio Cherry Blackberry Liquid Water Enhancer. I have never tried Mio drink enhancers before. I know some people who live on them, but I never really saw the appeal. After trying the Cherry Blackberry I can see why people enjoy them. It does have a nice Cherry Blackberry flavor. I especially like that I can control how much, or how little, I want to use to flavor my water. I tend to use very little. I’m actually one of the few people I know that enjoys plain water. I drink it all day long. But I can see the value of something like Mio because sometimes you just want to mix things up a bit.
I have reviews on a few more new products from Kraft coming up. Keep an eye out for them. 🙂
For more information you can visit www.Planters.com, www.KoolAid.com and www.KraftBrands.com/Mio. Look for the brands on Facebook and Twitter too!
Kimberly
*I received free product samples in order to do these reviews. There was no compensation. The opinions expressed are my own and were not influenced in any way.
Nancy says
My husband is a big fan of Mio! We keep a large variety of different Mio flavors for him.