We all love munching on a bowl of popcorn or fast foods like French Fries, chips, and more. But, do you know if snacking is healthy? There is a mixed opinion about the same. Snacking is eating anything between your regular main meals regardless of whether the food is healthy. Usually, its main motivation is hunger. Sometimes, your location, food availability, and social circle also contribute to snacking. Mostly, snack foods include high-calorie items that drastically affect your digestive system, heart, weight, and more.
You can get away with the side effects of snacking on fast foods by opting for healthier options that can not only satisfy your hunger but also offer myriads of benefits to your body. One such superfood is makhanas or fox nuts or water lily seeds. Celebrity nutritionist Pooja Makhija advocates its intake.
In one of her recent Instagram posts, she talked about how makhana can become an easy snacking option. It’s easy to carry, store, and good for your health too. According to Pooja, “Home roasted ones are better than the commercially flavoured ones as those may have a lot of added fats (that’s why the masala sticks to it).”
Here are few reasons why you should opt for makhanas for snacking:
Good Source of Fiber
What you eat affects how your digestive system works. Therefore, you should pick healthy foods including those in fiber. Makhana is a good source of fiber and therefore can support your digestive system and absorption of all related nutrients. Fiber feeds the good bacteria in your intestines and therefore acts as a prebiotic for your gut flora. Hence when you eat fiber-rich foods like makhana you automatically give your body all the prebiotics which has a whole host of benefits.
Makhanas Improve Heart Health
Being packed with potassium, makhanas can help to decrease your blood pressure. Also, makhanas are low in sodium which is again good for your blood pressure. The food is rich in magnesium too. This nutrient reduces your risk of developing heart disease.
Makhanas Have Anti-Ageing Properties
Makhanas contain kaempferol which is a natural flavonoid that helps in fighting against free radicals and slowing the process of ageing. Regular consumption of makhanas can solve the issue of hair loss, onset of wrinkles, and grey hair.
