Chestnuts make you fat?

Chestnuts are the symbol fruit of autumn, both roasted and boiled. Chestnuts are perfect as a base for confectionery products, however, enough calories.

Delicious roasted, boiled or pureed as a filling for cakes and breads, meaty chestnuts are beloved by adults and children as “feared” for the alleged effects fattening. Of them it is said that bloat your belly, they do “rise” waist and raise the glycemic index.

But is that really true? Not at all...In fact, this fruit symbol of autumn season enjoys a reputation a little undeserved.


No one should be deprived of the pleasure of tasting a good portion of ripe chestnuts every so often, even who is on a diet or have high blood sugar, because this fruit protects the health and is good for your mood.

Many people feel weak and vulnerable in the months between October and December, partly due to a physiological decline of the immune system, and in part by psychological reasons. Shorter days and less bright, gloomy weather, the humidity, and the first colds, they put ko and rob us of energy.

But the solution to these problems comes to us from nature and there are several fruits which can help us: pomegranates, persimmons, grapes, pumpkins, pears and apples ... Among these we include chestnuts, but what benefits we derive from eating them in the fall, apart from the pleasure of the palate?

Nutritional properties of chestnuts are amazing, they contain amides (as it’s known), but also vitamins such as Vitamin C (which boosts the immune system), folic acid and vitamin B that help us fight the states of anemia and weakness, minerals important for healthy skin and hair, but also the muscles, including magnesium, potassium and phosphorus, and lots of fiber.

These restrict the absorption of sugars and fats in the intestine, therefore the chestnuts are indicated in the case of high cholesterol.

Also stimulate the intestinal peristalsis helping to combat obstinate constipation.

Chestnuts are rich in amides and carbohydrates so they provide energy.

About calories, per 100g (fresh and raw) we assume 200 calories, however, go down to 120 if we decide to eat them boiled.

Eating too many chestnuts can have unpleasant side effects such as the formation of air into the stomach (flatulence) and bloating.

A tip for the food cold period is to use, even for making cakes and cookies, chestnut flour, which has a lower glycemic index in wheat flour 00 and a naturally sweet taste that requires a smaller quantity of sugar, quality which makes it suitable for diabetics.

You can eat chestnut but don’t overdo it.