What Are Pistachios?
Pistachios are the seeds of the pistachio tree. They’re usually green, and they taste slightly sweet. They’re called nuts, but botanically pistachios are seeds. People have been eating them for thousands of years.
The kernels can be different colors, ranging from yellow to shades of green. They’re usually about an inch long and half an inch in diameter. If you want to taste one, you’ll have to crack open its hard shell first.
California, Arizona, and New Mexico make up all of America’s commercial pistachio production. You can buy pistachios shelled, unshelled, roasted, or salted. They’re in most grocery stores, and you can buy them in bulk from pistachio growers.
Are Pistachios Good for You?
Pistachios are a nutritious addition to your diet. They are made up of 20% protein, a much higher calorie-to-protein ratio than that of most nuts. This protein can make you feel full longer and help you manage your weight.
Higher intake of sodium
Raw pistachios don’t have much sodium. (1 cup has about 1 milligram.) But that’s not always true for roasted pistachios, which are often salted. A cup of dry roasted pistachios with salt has 526 milligrams of sodium. Too much sodium can put you at higher risk for things like high blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke.