Difference Between Nuts and Legumes

A legume is typically a pod with multiple seeds that will start to open on its own as it becomes ready for harvesting. A nut is typified by a hard outer shell protecting a single seed that we would call the “nut,” and does not open on its own. A drupe is basically a nut with a pulpy fruit around it.

1. Which nuts are actually legumes?
2. Which nuts are nuts and which are legumes?
3. Are cashews a legume or a nut?
4. Are pistachios nuts or legumes?
5. Why are legumes bad?
6. What nuts are not actually nuts?
7. Are Nuts bad for cholesterol?
8. Why are cashews bad for you?
9. What fruit is actually a nut?
10. What is the healthiest nut you can eat?
11. Are almonds nuts or legumes?
12. Can you eat cashews on whole30?

Which nuts are actually legumes?

If you want to get technical about it, peanuts are actually considered legumes. While real nuts grow on trees, peanuts grow in pods that mature underground; other types of legumes, such as lentils and peas, also grow beneath the surface. Additional nut frauds include cashews, walnuts, pistachios, and almonds.

Which nuts are nuts and which are legumes?

Peanuts are legumes, which are edible seeds enclosed in pods, and are in the same family as beans, lentils, and peas. Meanwhile, tree nuts, which include but are not limited to, walnuts, cashews, almonds, and pecans, are all produced on trees.

Are cashews a legume or a nut?

However, because cashews develop in a hard shell within a drupe instead of a pod, they aren't considered part of the legume family. Cashews are structurally similar to legumes like peanuts. Yet, due to the way they grow, they're not considered part of the legume family.

Are pistachios nuts or legumes?

Tree nuts grow on trees, whereas peanuts grow underground and are considered legumes. Tree nuts include almonds, Brazil nuts, cashews, hazelnuts, pecans, pistachios and walnuts.

Why are legumes bad?

Phytic acid, or phytate, is an antioxidant found in all edible plant seeds, including legumes. It impairs the absorption of iron, zinc, and calcium from the same meal and may increase the risk of mineral deficiencies in people who rely on legumes or other high-phytate foods as a dietary staple ( 5 , 6).

What nuts are not actually nuts?

Almonds, for example, are in fact drupes, not nuts at all. Neither are cashews, pistachios and pine nuts. Many tree nuts are drupes, including walnuts and pecans (although confusingly these are known as drupaceous nuts as they difficult to categorise and are not true botanical nuts).

Are Nuts bad for cholesterol?

Almonds and other tree nuts can improve blood cholesterol. A recent study concluded that a diet supplemented with walnuts can lower the risk of heart complications in people with history of a heart attack. All nuts are high in calories, so a handful added to a salad or eaten as a snack will do.

Why are cashews bad for you?

High Oxalate Content: Cashews have a relatively high oxalate content. When eaten in large quantities, this can lead to kidney damage and other chronic health problems. Raw Cashews Unsafe: Roasted cashews are not only more delicious, but they're also safer too.

What fruit is actually a nut?

To help us understand why this is, it is important to know what the definition of a true "nut" is. Botanically, a nut is a dry fruit that consists of a hard shell covering a single seed. Some examples of true nuts include acorns, chestnuts, and hazelnuts.

What is the healthiest nut you can eat?

Here are five of the healthiest nuts.

• Macadamias. Macadamia nuts contain more heart-healthy monounsaturated fat per serving than any other nut. ...
• Cashews. Cashews are very high in iron, zinc, and magnesium. ...
• Brazil Nuts. Brazil nuts are an excellent source of selenium, which can help prevent cancer. ...
• Almonds. ...
• Walnuts.

Are almonds nuts or legumes?

Some nuts, like hazelnuts, walnuts, and almonds, are true tree nuts, composed of a seed surrounded by dry fruit and encased in a hard shell. The ubiquitous peanut is actually a legume. Legumes are the edible seeds from pods you can split in half.

Can you eat cashews on whole30?

You can eat tree nuts like almonds, Brazil nuts, cashews, hazelnuts, macadamias, pecans, pistachios and walnuts. It also means you're free to eat and drink butters and milks made from those nuts, provided they don't include other ingredients from the banned list. That's a lot to remember.