Crunchy Fresh Greens

November is American Diabetes Month and I teamed up with Wonderful Pistachios to share some recipes and some of the health benefits of pistachios. Check out my recipe for Crunchy Fresh Greens below.

The health benefits of Wonderful Pistachios

Plant-Based Protein

• Wonderful Pistachios are one of the highest protein snack nuts.
• They offer six grams of plant-based protein per serving and help fuel your body with essential amino acids.
• Wonderful Pistachios are a good source of plant-based protein and fiber. A serving of pistachios provides 6 grams of plant-based protein and 3 grams of fiber.

Heart Health and Diabetes

• Wonderful Pistachios can be included as part of a healthy diet for eating right with diabetes.
• The American Diabetes Association calls nuts a “diabetes superfood.”
• Heart-smart: A serving and a half of nuts per day, such as pistachios, as part of a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol is a great heart-healthy snack.

Healthy Snacking

• Nearly 90% of the fats found in pistachios are the better-for-you mono and polyunsaturated type. Plus, they provide a good source of plant protein and fiber, for a trio that may help keep you fuller longer.
• One of the lowest calorie, lowest fat snack nuts, pistachios offer more nuts per serving than most– about 49 pistachios, compared to 23 almonds, 18 cashews or 14 walnut halves. That’s right, pistachios give you more than twice as many nuts per serving as almonds and cashews, and more than three times as many pieces as walnuts.
• Unlike potato chips, pistachios offer a good source of protein and fiber, with more than three times as many pieces per serving. Pistachios give you 49 nuts per serving; compare that to just 15 potato chips per serving (and who eats just 15 potato chips?).
• A healthy, crave-able snack, pistachios are a smart snack you can feel good about anytime; a natural savory treat that tastes great and is good for you, too.

Antioxidants:

• Pistachios are a colorful nut – those greens and red-purples come from antioxidants.

Crunchy Fresh Greens with Pistachios

Recipe by Maya Feller

Ingredients

• For the salad

• 1 head red leaf lettuce, washed and chopped into ribbons

• 1 head romaine lettuce, washed and chopped into ribbons

• 1 bunch chives, roughly chopped

• 1 pear chopped into bite-sized pieces

• 1 cup Wonderful Pistachios No Shells Roasted & Salted

• For the dressing

• 1/2 cup olive oil

• ¼ cup POM Wonderful 100% Pomegranate Juice

• ¾ cup apple cider vinegar

• ¼ cup white balsamic vinegar

• 1 tsp dijon mustard

• ½ lemon, juiced

Instructions

• To make the dressing, combine oil, vinegar, and mustard in a small glass jar – cover and shake. Set aside ½ cup for the salad; extra dressing can be stored covered in the fridge.
• Place all salad ingredients into a large bowl.
• Pour ½ cup of dressing over the salad and gently toss.
• Enjoy!