Nutrition in a nutshell: Pecans

Pecans are much more than an added ingredient to your favorite baking recipes. They are a healthy and convenient snack as well. People all over the nation are beginning to add this nutritious American-grown nut to their list of favorite snacks. 
When buying pecans, there is an abundance of options from which to choose. Pecans are available both shelled and unshelled. When purchasing a shelled pecan, options include halves, pieces, salted, unsalted, and raw, roasted with oil, or dry roasted. If you are looking for a pecan with more flavor, you can purchase different glazed and seasoned varieties in single-serve pouches, resealable canisters, and bags. If you are searching for a way to add a hint of pecan to recipes, you can also purchase pecan-based products. Some of these include pecan butter, milk, meal, and oil. 
Appearance
Purchasing the best quality food can sometimes be a tricky task. Some helpful tips when purchasing pecans include looking at the expiration or best by date. Pecans should also be plump and uniform in color and size and not faded or wrinkled, as this indicates the pecans have been sitting on the shelf for too long.
Storage
When stored the correct way, pecans can taste fresh and keep their texture for up to two years. If you want to keep pecans tasting amazing for two years, you need to remember these easy tips. First of all, pecans need to be kept at a cool temperature. In the fridge, they can last up to six months and last up to two years in the freezer. 
When putting pecans in the fridge or freezer, they should be stored in an air-tight container, bag, or jar. It is best to store frozen pecans in a resealable bag, as it is easier to take them out to thaw and re-seal what is not being used to be put back into the freezer. When storing pecans, you can thaw and refreeze them multiple times in two years without affecting flavor or texture. Once you have removed your pecans from cold storage, they will last you another two months before needing to buy more of this delicious snack.
Unshelled pecans can also be stored for later use. Like shelled pecans, they also benefit from a cooler temperature. When sealed in an air-tight container, bag, or jar, they can last up to one year in a cool, dry place.
Sizes
As discussed above, there is lots of variety when picking out pecans. Shelled pecans have their own variety before adding glazes and seasonings. Some of this variety includes halves, pieces, and chopped pecans. Whole pecans can also vary in color, length, and size. When purchasing pecans, whole and half are much more expensive than pieces, so when following a recipe that calls for chopped, purchasing pecan pieces is both a time and money-saving alternative to chopping them yourself. 
Health
When considering a healthy body, nutrition plays a prominent role. Making sure your diet is well balanced helps lead a long and healthy life. One way to satisfy your appetite, maintain healthy energy levels, and add to your overall health is by including nutritious snacks, like pecans, into your everyday routine. This crunchy and flavorful nut contains more than 19 different vitamins and minerals. 
Pecans are a fantastic source of protein, fiber, and natural fats. When someone hears about all the positive gains from snacking on pecans, they will want to add a handful of this tasty nut to their snacking. A serving of pecans is one ounce or about 20 nuts. There are 190 calories, four grams of carbohydrates, and three grams of fiber in this one serving. Pecans are also a natural, high-quality source of protein. In each 1-ounce serving, you will get 12 grams of “good” monounsaturated fat with zero cholesterol or sodium.
Snacking on pecans can be done when they are both raw and toasted. When toasted, the flavor of pecan is even more pronounced. To toast pecans, preheat the oven to 350°F, spread pecans on a baking sheet, add desired seasonings, or leave them plain, and bake for 7 to 10 minutes or until the pecans are slightly darker in color and they have become fragrant. 
Knowing measurement equivalents will make using this tasty nut in recipes a breeze. One pound of pecans in their shells is 3 cups shelled. One pound of shelled pecans equals 4 cups, and 1 cup of pecan halves equals 3/4 cup chopped. 
If you want to add a healthy snack with fiber, vitamins, minerals, and healthy fats to your diet, a great option to consider is pecans. Pecans are a nutritious, convenient, and of course, delicious snack to enjoy at all times of the day. They are an excellent option for a healthy between-meal snack and a great addition to breakfast, lunch, dinner, and dessert recipes.
 
(Sources: americanpecan.com; ilovepecans.org; usda.gov)