The trick to eating chestnuts, the fruit of autumn, and losing weight

Nutritional properties

Chestnuts contain very little fat but a good percentage of carbohydrates and sugars, like a cereal. They also have a high fiber content. But eating chestnuts is not exactly like eating a slice of bread, because chestnuts have an added advantage. In fact, they contain many vitamins and minerals in greater quantities than cereals.

They are a good source of B vitamins and vitamins C, E and K, and are rich in minerals such as phosphorus, magnesium and potassium. Finally, let's not forget that chestnuts are rich in fiber. They protect the gastric mucous membranes and can help in cases of constipation, as long as they are consumed with the appropriate amount of water. For all these reasons, no one should deprive themselves of them in autumn. How then to include them in the diet without gaining weight?

The chestnut and chocolate cake recipe that has gone viral: it is very easy to prepare

The calories in chestnuts also vary depending on how they are cooked. 100 grams of boiled chestnuts have just over 120 calories, while the same amount of roasted chestnuts has about 190 calories. The calories become 300 in the case of dried chestnuts. This happens because in roasted chestnuts there is a loss of water and this must be taken into account if we weigh them after cooking.

If we follow a low-calorie diet, we can eat them without problems instead of bread. 40 grams of raw chestnuts have about 70 calories and we can include them in a diet without fear of gaining weight. 40 grams correspond to 5 or 6 medium chestnuts without skin. Or we can add the same amount to a vegetable soup instead of cereals. We will add important nutrients without making the soup heavier and more satiating. Chestnuts do not make you fat if eaten in this way and in these quantities.

Time is also important, chestnuts as an appetizer

Chestnuts have a high satiating effect because they are rich in complex carbohydrates and fiber. Let's take advantage of this property and eat them as an aperitif. A few chestnuts will fill our stomach and we will not arrive at lunch or dinner with a voracious hunger. We will probably be able to resist the various temptations between meals.

Chestnuts are a fruit with a low glycemic index and will help us avoid dangerous blood sugar spikes. Compared to nuts that are usually used to suppress hunger, they are lower in calories but equally rich in essential fatty acids. Oleic acid has the same recognized properties as extra virgin olive oil and the same effects. Finally, don't forget to cook them just right because only then are they perfectly digestible.

Another smart way to consume chestnuts

Not even chestnut flour will make us gain weight if we consume it intelligently. Let's use it to make cakes and cookies instead of ordinary flour or mixed with it. In fact, it has a lower glycemic index than wheat flour, a vaguely sweet taste and a very low fat content. Adding it to cakes will allow us to reduce the amount of sugar and reduce calories.