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Yahoo
a day ago
- Health
- Yahoo
The Benefits of Pistachios—and the Best Ways To Eat Them, According to Nutritionists
Key Points Pistachios are a delicious and easy way to boost your health with protein, fiber, and key nutrients. They support heart, eye, and brain health with antioxidants, potassium, and other important vitamins and minerals. Their mix of protein, fiber, and healthy fats helps keep you full longer and may support healthy weight may be small, but their culinary appeal is huge. With a vibrant green color and an irresistible nutty, earthy aroma, they are a beloved choice for show-stopping desserts and baked goods. They're especially popular in Middle Eastern cuisines, where they're used in everything from cookies to kabobs. But pistachios aren't just an indulgence, they're also nutritional powerhouses that carry outsized health benefits. We asked two nutrition experts to share why pistachios deserve a starring role in your daily routine, and how they stack up against other Our Expert Lauren Gleason, MS, MPH, RDN, renal nutrition expert and founder of Kidney Foodie Rebecca Thomas, RD, LDN, owner of Food Freedom Nutrition GroupRelated: How to Store Nuts to Keep Them From Spoiling The Nutrition of Pistachios Dietitian Lauren Gleason, MS, MPH, RDN, says pistachios are one of the healthiest nuts around (technically, they're a seed, but most often considered a nut). For starters, they have an impressive amount of protein for such a tiny food. At 6 grams of protein per serving, they're bested only by peanuts (7 grams) and on par with almonds. And when it comes to fiber, they're also pretty spectacular. They deliver 3 grams of fiber per serving, which is three times as much fiber as you'll find in cashews, making them a smart choice for satiety and digestive health. "Pistachios boast one of the best nutrient profiles among nuts: high in plant protein, rich in monounsaturated fats, and loaded with fiber, all in a lower-calorie package," Gleason notes. Here are some of the greatest health benefits you'll reap from enjoying these aromatic, green-hued One serving of pistachios equals 1 ounce, or about 49 pieces (you can think of it as one small handful). It contains around 160 calories, 6 grams of protein, 3 grams of fiber, and 13 grams of fat. Additionally, they're a great source of several key nutrients, like manganese, phosphorus, copper, vitamin B6, and thiamine. (Source: USDA)The Health Benefits Of Pistachios Potassium for Heart Health If there's one nutrient that makes pistachios shine, it's potassium. "Pistachios have almost 60 percent more potassium than peanuts and more than twice as much as walnuts," says Gleason. Since most Americans fall short of the recommended potassium intake, adding pistachios to your diet is a simple way to help close the gap. Gleason notes that higher potassium intake is linked to a lower risk of hypertension and cardiovascular disease, which makes pistachios a heart-healthy treat. Antioxidants for Healthy Aging Pistachios are one of the top 50 most antioxidant-rich foods consumed in the United States, thanks to their high levels of phenolic compounds. These antioxidants help combat oxidative stress, support healthy aging, and may lower the risk of chronic diseases. "Pistachios maintain their antioxidant power even after roasting, unlike some other nuts, making them a flavorful and functional snack right out of the shell," says Gleason. Antioxidants for Eye Health Pistachios also stand out for their eye-protective properties. "They are rich in lutein and zeaxanthin, antioxidants that play a major role in eye health as we age," says dietitian Rebecca Thomas, RD, LDN. These antioxidants help guard against harmful blue light and oxidative stress, reducing the risk of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and cataracts. But that's not all, says Thomas. Pistachios also provide vitamin E and zinc, both of which are vital for maintaining retinal health and supporting night vision. The Perfect Nutrient Combo for Weight Management With their combination of protein, fiber, and healthy fats, pistachios make a satisfying snack that helps curb cravings and supports weight management. Plus, you get more nuts per serving. A 1-ounce portion is about 49 pistachios, which is more than you'd get with most other nuts for the same calorie count. How to Eat Pistachios To Maximize Their Health Benefits Nuts are almost always best in their raw form. However, pistachios are just as good when roasted because they don't lose their antioxidant power and other health benefits as some other nuts do. If you're opting for roasted, however, keep in mind these are usually salted, so you'll want to be cautious about your sodium intake. "The ideal serving size is 1 to 2 ounces per day—but you don't have to eat them all at once. Spread them throughout the day and have them as a snack, sprinkled on yogurt or salads, or blended into sauces or pesto," suggests Gleason. We also recommend using them in baked goods, adding a nutty crunch to pasta, incorporating into a chopped salad, making nut butter for toast, crusting a protein, and topping off a grain bowl. Pistachio milk: It's a tasty dairy alternative, but as the story goes with most nut milks, pistachio milk doesn't deliver the same nutrients as whole pistachios. Pistachio desserts: Gleason warns that desserts made with pistachios are fine as an occasional treat, but that the total added sugars can outweigh the benefits of eating the nuts in the first place. Plus, you're likely not getting a significant amount of pistachios in a dessert, she adds. Read the original article on Martha Stewart
Gulf Today
03-07-2025
- Health
- Gulf Today
NHS plan vows to end '8am scramble' for GP appointment
Rebecca Thomas, The Independent The NHS is set for a radical overhaul with a new 10-year plan aiming to "fundamentally rewire" the health service, shifting care directly to people's doorsteps, the Prime Minister has announced. Published by the government today, the ambitious strategy outlines "three big shifts" in how the NHS will operate. These include a transition from analogue to digital services, a greater emphasis on prevention over treatment, and a significant move from hospital-centric care towards community-based provision. The plan signals an end to the "status quo of hospital by default," with a clear intention to relocate care into local neighbourhoods and individuals' homes. By 2035, the majority of outpatient services are expected to be delivered outside traditional hospital settings, reducing the need for hospital appointments for conditions such as eye care, cardiology, respiratory medicine, and mental health. To facilitate this transformation, new neighbourhood health services are set to be rolled out nationwide. These will bring essential services like diagnostic tests, post-operative care, nursing support, and mental health teams closer to communities, making healthcare more accessible and integrated into daily life. The announcement comes as Sir Keir Starmer is also expected to unveil his own vision for the NHS later today, which will focus on "three big shifts" in the health service. The aim is to give people access to a full range of services, leaving hospitals to focus on the sickest, with neighbourhood health centres opening at evenings and weekends. These will be staffed by teams including nurses, doctors, social care workers, pharmacists, health visitors, palliative care staff and paramedics. New services will also include debt advice, employment support and stop smoking or obesity services - all of which affect people's health. Community outreach, with people going door to door, could also reduce pressure on GPs and A&E, the Government said. The plans also outline training for thousands more GPs, as the Government pledges to "bring back the family doctor" and end the "8am scramble" to get an appointment. Sir Keir said: "The NHS should be there for everyone, whenever they need it. "But we inherited a health system in crisis, addicted to a sticking plaster approach, and unable to face up to the challenges we face now, let alone in the future. "That ends now. Because it's reform or die. Our 10-year health plan will fundamentally rewire and future-proof our NHS so that it puts care on people's doorsteps, harnesses game-changing tech and prevents illness in the first place. "That means giving everyone access to GPs, nurses and wider support all under one roof in their neighbourhood — rebalancing our health system so that it fits around patients' lives, not the other way round. "This is not an overnight fix, but our Plan for Change is already turning the tide on years of decline with over four million extra appointments, 1,900 more GPs, and waiting lists at their lowest level for two years. "But there's more to come. This Government is giving patients easier, quicker and more convenient care, wherever they live." Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting said the plan would deliver "one of the most fundamental changes in the way we receive our healthcare in history". He added: "By shifting from hospital to community, we will finally bring down devastating hospital waiting lists and stop patients going from pillar to post to get treated. "This Government's Plan for Change is creating an NHS truly fit for the future, keeping patients healthy and out of hospital, with care closer to home and in the home." In a bid to free up time, GPs will be encouraged to use artificial intelligence to take notes, while technology will be used to speed up the answering of calls to surgeries. Dental therapists, who tend to carry out some of the straightforward work of dentists, could undertake check-ups, treatment and referrals, according to the plan. And there will be a new requirement for newly-qualified dentists to practise in the NHS for a minimum period, intended to be three years, according to the Government. Ministers also want to improve access to dental care for children, such as by allowing dental nurses to give fluoride varnish to children in between check-ups. Royal College of Nursing (RCN) general secretary, Professor Nicola Ranger, said: ""A neighbourhood health service is a bold vision and it needs nursing staff in the driving seat. "The Prime Minister must back up his plan with a clear one to turn around the shortage of nurses in all local communities. "Moving care away from overcrowded hospitals is urgent and necessary but it will prove impossible whilst this part of the healthcare workforce is so depleted and undervalued. "Crucial teams of district nursing and health visiting staff, who keep patients well and safe at home, have fallen by thousands in the last decade or more." Thea Stein, chief executive of the Nuffield Trust, said: "Top quality community services, like district nursing, end of life care and rehabilitation, are, in pockets of the country, already working around the clock to fit care around patients' needs, working closely with GPs, charities and council staff. "This approach is essential if we want to end the disjointed ways of working that too often leave patients to do the time-consuming and often bewildering job of joining up their own care." She said, however, that a lack of detail on how it will all work "casts doubt on whether it will stick". She added: "What's more, care closer to home doesn't mean care on the cheap.
The Independent
18-06-2025
- Health
- The Independent
Repeated failings by the nursing regulator demand a new approach
Yet another official review has confirmed what The Independent has reported: that the body in charge of making sure that nurses are qualified to work safely in the NHS and the private sector has been guilty of serious failings. The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) has allowed 350 underqualified or fraudulently qualified nurses to work in the UK, a damning new report from the Professional Standards Authority has found. The NMC is also failing to spot workers who could pose a risk to patient safety and to prioritise investigating them, as we report today. These are only the latest of a series of damning findings by inquiries that might not have taken place if it were not for journalists acting on the concerns of whistleblowers to investigate problems. Rebecca Thomas, The Independent 's award-winning health correspondent, has been tenacious in reporting the problems of poor NHS services that are so often compounded by cultures of covering up, usually backed by bullying or threats. This latest inquiry was prompted by her reporting, based on the testimony of whistleblowers. What is most discouraging is that The Independent and other media organisations have been reporting on failures of the NMC for at least 17 years. We reported two years ago that Sir Ben Bradshaw, who was a health minister in the last Labour government, said that he was 'extremely concerned' to see many of the same issues that led him to commission an inquiry in 2008 'are still being raised today'. In a health service beset by problems, a regulator that is fundamentally unable to root out problems is instead going to make them worse. The Independent has led the way in reporting the systemic problems in maternity care and mental health care – and in both cases, the failure of the regulator to ensure nursing standards makes matters worse. After the Lucy Letby case, we ought to be more aware of the need to pick up concerns about nurses at an early stage. This is a job that the NMC has simply failed to do in far too many cases. Since The Independent 's reporting, the NMC's chief executive and chair have stood down, and Paul Rees, the interim chief executive of the NMC, said the report reflected a 'dark period' in the NMC's history. But it is a dark period that has lasted for far too long. We hope that Mr Rees is capable of the 'radical change' that he has promised. Bringing about a change in the culture of organisations is a huge challenge, and one that seems to plague the health service and many of the regulatory bodies linked to it. This requires leadership from the top. The running of a regulator such as the Nursing and Midwifery Council may not be the direct responsibility of the secretary of state, but ministers have to take a close and intrusive interest in it. Rooting out rogue nurses ought to be part of a wider safety culture in the NHS. Jeremy Hunt, who was the longest-serving health secretary, made the making of a safety culture a personal mission towards the end of his time in office. Wes Streeting should take up his crusade. The current health secretary should even consider drafting in his predecessor, in a safety overlord role, to assist in trying to change the culture of the NHS at a fundamental level. Mr Streeting owes it to all patients to try a new approach. Patient safety is too important to allow any more years of repeating the same failures.
The Independent
31-05-2025
- Business
- The Independent
Denying joint operations to obese patients is counterproductive
We fear that there are going to be many more stories such as this about the National Health Service before the wounds of a decade of underfunding followed by the coronavirus pandemic start to heal. Rebecca Thomas, our award-winning health correspondent, reports today that obese patients are being denied life-changing hip and knee replacements, and being left in pain as the NHS attempts to cut costs. One-third of NHS areas in England and some health boards in Wales are refusing joint replacement operations to patients who exceed a given body mass index. This is contrary to guidance from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), the body responsible for deciding whether treatments are value for money. Of course, as long as healthcare is rationed, difficult choices will have to be made. And the blunt truth is that all expensive treatments on the NHS are rationed, as they have to be in a system of limited resources. Instead of being rationed by ability to pay, the usual mechanism for rationing in the NHS is queueing. At the same time, however, treatments are also rationed by need, and it is the role of NICE to help to decide which groups of patients should be prioritised over others. We can understand why some parts of the NHS might de-prioritise obese patients for hip and knee replacements. It might be argued that obesity is the cause of joint problems and that therefore treatment should focus on weight loss, or else the problems are likely to recur with the artificial joints. But the NICE guidelines recognise that causation may not be all one way and that for many patients joint problems contribute to obesity rather than the other way round. In which case, joint replacement is the key to reducing weight, allowing patients to exercise more. This is a field of healthcare undergoing rapid transition, as the availability of weight-loss drugs such as Ozempic has changed the options available to patients, offering hope of treatment without surgery. But it remains important that overweight patients do not face a sweeping ban on joint replacement operations on the basis of arbitrary body mass index counts – especially as these BMI limits vary from area to area across the NHS. It is devoutly to be wished that this new government is beginning to turn the NHS round. Rachel Reeves, the chancellor, will confirm at the spending review on 11 June that the health service will be allocated substantial increases in resources over the next four years. Wes Streeting, the health secretary, has already taken the risk of overclaiming the improvement that has been made in just 11 months since the election. He claimed that waiting lists had fallen for six months in a row, only for the latest figure, for month seven, to show a small increase. His claim of having met his target for the number of new appointments 'seven months early' was undermined by figures obtained by Full Fact, the fact-checking charity, suggesting the rate of increase has in fact been slower than last year. We hope that resident doctors will vote against strike action, in order to allow these early, if overstated, signs of improvement to turn into real progress. In the meantime, difficult choices about whom to treat, and whom to treat first, will continue to beset the health service. In making those decisions, doctors must avoid unfair and discriminatory blanket bans based on arbitrary weight limits.
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The Independent
23-05-2025
- Health
- The Independent
The Independent's Rebecca Thomas named health journalist of the year in the Press Awards 2025
The Independent correspondent Rebecca Thomas has been named health journalist of the year at the Press Awards 2025. Ms Thomas's work exposed a case of an autistic man who had been trapped in dementia care units and A&E wards for 10 years, a 'culture of fear' that allowed nurses to abuse their patients and a scandal of sexual assault of patients within NHS mental health trusts. Judges praised her 'forensic research' and 'impressive track record in effecting change for both vulnerable people and the public at large'. Ms Thomas's work 'empowers those who would otherwise be ignored', and 'sheds a light on abuse and neglect by those in positions of power at some of our most trusted institutions', the judges said. Ms Thomas said: "I am very honoured and humbled to have received this award, thank you to the brave patients and sources who came forward and for the Indy editors who helped me share their stories." It comes after Ms Thomas won at the British Journalism Awards in the health and life sciences category in December 2024. Ms Thomas also won the Medical Journalists' Association (MJA) mental health story of the year for her 18-month investigation into sexual abuse in NHS hospitals. Nearly 20,000 reports of rape and sexual assault of patients were made across half of NHS mental health trusts. This was exposed by The Independent in conjunction with Sky News in a joint investigation and podcast. The investigation prompted former victims' commissioner Dame Vera Baird to describe the NHS abuse as a 'national scandal', with Wes Streeting calling it a 'wake-up call' for the government while he was shadow health secretary. Rape Crisis England and Wales called for a public inquiry. Ms Thomas was also nominated for the Private Eye Paul Foot Award for investigative and campaigning journalism for the same investigation earlier this year. Private Eye said her 'dogged campaign exposed systemic patient safety scandals within the UK's ailing mental health system'. Meanwhile, she investigated the case of an autistic man trapped in dementia care units and A&E wards, where he suffered abuse by nurses over a 10-year period. Ms Thomas's reporting helped the man leave after years of being trapped in mental health institutions. He has moved into his own home and has now regained the power of speech. Ms Thomas previously won in the health and life sciences category in the British Journalism Awards in 2022, when she was recognised for her 'revelatory' coverage of a crisis in A&E units.
