Hazelnuts
Last Updated Sep 2007
Q: Why do you recommend macadamia nuts and not hazelnuts in your book "The Top 100 Zone Foods?" They both have similar amounts of monounsaturated fats, but hazelnuts are a lot cheaper.
A: Macadamia nuts have the highest levels of monounsaturated fats (58 g per 100 grams of nuts) versus hazelnuts (at 52 g per 100 grams of nuts). That's why they made the Top 100. Almonds and cashews are also relatively rich in monounsaturated fat and in my opinion taste better than macadamia or hazelnuts.