Health & Lifestyle - Chestnuts for Healthy Lifestyle!

Autumn is here, the air is crisp and I crave something warm and hearty.  What better way to welcome the change of seasons than to roast some chestnuts?  Chestnuts are a great addition to your health and lifestyle.  What is more romantic than roasting chestnuts over an open fire and sipping on a delicious wine?

A friend brought us over a large bag of these prized nuts from his parents farm and what a treat it was.

Best way to roast Chestnuts:

I have tried many ways to to roast these guys and the best method I have found is to wash, score an "X" in the flat side with a sharp knife, soak in water for about 30 minutes then pop into a 450F/220C oven.  I keep watch over them so they don't burn and monitor them as the shell peels back ... usually about 1/2 hour.

Once you remove them from the oven be careful not to burn your fingers while you peel them completely.  We enjoyed pairing the roasted chestnuts with an Austrian Blaufrankisch wine from the Burgenland region of Austria ... actually right down the road from us!

Benefits of Chestnuts:

• Chestnuts are relatively low in calories and are rich in minerals, vitamins and phyto-nutrients that benefit health.
• Chestnuts are mainly made up of starch unlike other seeds and nuts, which are high in calorie, protein, and fat. They are similar in nutrition composition to sweet potato, sweet corn, potatoes and plantains. They are  good sources of minerals, vitamins and some good  quality protein.
• Great source of dietary fiber. Fiber diet helps lower blood cholesterol levels by limiting excess cholesterol absorption in the intestines.
• Exceptionally rich in vitamin C. ... 100 g nuts provide 43 mg of vitamin C. Vitamin C is essential for matrix formation in teeth, bones and blood vessels. Being a strong anti-oxidant, it offers protection from harmful free radicals.
• Chestnuts are rich in folates ... 100 g nuts provide 62 µg of folates (or 15.5%). Folic acid is required for the formation of red blood cells and DNA synthesis. 
• Terrific source of mono-unsaturated fatty like oleic acid  and palmitoleic acids. Studies suggest that monounsaturated fats in the diet help lower total as well as LDL (bad cholesterol) and increase HDL (good cholesterol) levels within the blood. 
• Excellent source of minerals such as iron, calcium, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus and zinc, besides providing a very good amount of potassium.  Potassium helps counter hypertensive action of sodium, lowers heart rate and blood pressure. 
• Rich in many important B-complex groups of vitamins. 
• Chestnuts are free in gluten. And for the same reason, they are one of the popular ingredients in the preparation of gluten-free food formulas for gluten-sensitive, wheat allergy, and celiac disease patients.

Chestnuts offer a great deal of nutrition when you are striving for health and lifestyle.  Of course, it is always best to eat local fresh food ... food that is in season to get the highest quality nutrition.

So my friends ... here's to your new Healthy Lifestyle!
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Learn more about a healthy lifestyle in Austria
http://GesundheitsVerein.at