DOES ANY ONE EAT THEN? THEY ARE QUITE GOOD FOR YOU. I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO DISGUISES HOW TO MEASURE A BLOCK O WALNUTS (CALIFORNIAN ONES) I TRIED THE RDA BUT A BIT COMPLICATE BY NOW.......... ANY HELP???

Zone Meals in Seconds" lists 1/2 teaspoon of "walnuts, shelled and chopped" to be one fat block (1.5g fat). Bear in mind walnuts are not rich in monounsaturated fat and are considered only to be a fair choice of added fat for Zone purposes, meaning they would be use with less frequency than other richer sources of monounsaturated fat. The "Meatballs Parmiagiana" recipe in "The Soy Zone" lists 12 walnut halves as being 4 blocks of fat, which would translate to 3 halves to a block of fat, although the P in this recipe is fat free so these might be 3 g fat blocks. Fat will not impact insulin levels, so enjoy your walnuts in small amounts and don't get too caught up in the block numbers.

[Thakns a lot for your help Sue, So Walnuts are not the best fat ? Almonds, Pistachios, Peanus, hazel nuts Do I still beleiving that there are god fats?

Aren't Walnuts the only nut rich in Omega 3 fatty acid? Does the fact they are an excellent source of omega-3 essential fatty acids make up for the lack of Monosaturated Fat?

Hi Payton,

Monounsaturated fat is still a better choice.  The omega 3 in wanuts (and other plants) is short chain omega 3.  The body has to convert it to DHA (long chain omega 3) before it can be used, and the conversion process is lengthy and inefficient at best.  You can read more about this conversion process in The Soy Zone.  You are better off adding monounsaturated fat to your meals and snacks and supplementing with an ultra-refined fish oil concentrate.  Fish oil contains long chain omega 3's which can be used by the body as is, no conversion needed.

Black Walnuts, 1oz - Total ALA, Omega-3 fatty acids 155mg Total LA, Omega-6 fatty acids 2563mg
The Omega-3 in walnuts is Alpha Linolenic Acid, a short chain which must be converted in the body (inefficient) to long chain. Long chain Omega-3's which are necessary for improved blood flow and decreased inflammation, EPA especially.