Pecan nuts growing in popularity as people discover their health benefits

• Pecan producers and enthusiasts can rest assured.
• The Texas Cooperative Extension held its annual Central Texas Pecan Short Course in Goldthwaite on March 29 where a number of speakers were on hand to talk about certain topics tailored to the Central Texas pecan industry.
• "Consumers prefer pecans over walnuts and almonds," said Dr. Jose Pena, Extension economist in Uvalde.
• "I recently checked the price on nuts and almonds sell for $5.99 a pound, pecan halves sell for $8.99 a pound and walnuts sell for $4.49 a pound.
• Over the last three years, prices have improved."
• The new Dietary Guidelines released by the U.S. Department of Agriculture suggests eating 3 to 5 servings of nuts (20 to 30 pecan halves equals 1 serving), seeds or legumes each day in order to maintain a healthy diet.
• According to the guidelines, total fat intake should stay within 20-35 percent of calories, and most of it should come from fish, nuts and vegetable oils - foods that are rich in polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fatty acids.
• On the other hand, eating unhealthy, saturated fats can lead to an unhealthy lifestyle, such as cardiovascular disease.
• It is responsive to diet and exercise, high cholesterol is involved and it remains the leading cause of death," said Dr. Rosemary Walzem, associate professor with the department of poultry science at Texas A&M University.
• Pecans can increase nutrient intake and fiber intake in diets."
• Nuts pack a lot of nutrition into a small package.
• Just a handful of pecans (or about 20 pecan halves) offers vitamin E, calcium, magnesium, potassium, zinc, fiber, and more antioxidants than any other nut.
• And because nuts are so rich in heart-healthy fat, it doesn't take many to feel full.