A creamy dairy alternative
I absolutely love cashews and use them in everything from snacks to desserts to dressings. When soaked they give a creamy texture to any recipe and make a great dairy-free alternative to cream. Cashews will add protein and crunch to a recipe.
Cashews are particularly rich in magnesium, which plays a vital role in bone health. This mineral is also important in helping the body’s ability to relax. Magnesium is a cofactor in more than 300 enzyme systems that regulate diverse biochemical reactions in the body, including protein synthesis, muscle and nerve function, blood glucose control and blood pressure regulation. Eating 30g of raw nuts, such as cashews, per day can play a role in reducing the risk of heart disease.
Nuts provide a dose of heart-healthy monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fat and fibre, which has a heart-protective effect. Many people avoid nuts due to their energy density however, they can actually assist weight management and weight loss as they help to keep blood glucose levels even, meaning you are less likely to overeat.
Here's a great recipe for easy-to-make cashew truffles that will keep you away from the biscuits at 3pm.
