Top 12 Delicious and Healthy Seeds for Tet Holidays

1. Walnut Seeds

It is said that walnut seeds originated from areas around the Caspian Sea and India, hence they are called 'Persian walnuts'. In the 4th century, ancient Romans discovered the nutritional value and special benefits of walnut seeds, making this type of seed popular in European countries and later transmitted to America through British trading ships.

Dubbed as the 'king of nuts' or the 'fruit of the gods', walnut seeds are highly nutritious, with many healing and health-enhancing properties. Eating walnut seeds helps protect the heart, prevent cancer, prolong youthfulness, and improve sleep. Additionally, walnut seeds are also a food that prevents gallstones, regulates the intestines, and is good for people with diabetes and headaches. They are also very good for pregnant women during pregnancy.

Some dishes made from walnut seeds include: sesame-coated walnut seeds, crispy fried walnut seeds, sweet and sour shrimp with walnut seeds, oatmeal porridge cooked with walnut seeds, oatmeal and walnut seed cakes, butter-fried walnut seeds, sugar-coated walnut seeds, baked walnut seeds... Choose a dish to enjoy this Tet holiday!

2. Macadamia Nuts

Macadamia nuts are derived from the macadamia tree, a tropical native in Australia. These nuts are also known by less common names such as Queensland nuts or bush nuts. The shell of macadamia nuts is typically very hard, pointed at the apex, and may contain one or two small nuts inside.

Macadamia nuts are among the most delicious nuts in the world and are highly valued for their nutritional benefits. They are used for both beauty and health purposes.

Not only are macadamia nuts enticing with their rich flavor, but their nutritional value is also notable, providing numerous health benefits. Eating macadamia nuts helps reduce the risk of heart disease, diabetes, cancer, enhances brain health, and is particularly beneficial for pregnant women.

The hazelnut tree is a tall species, reaching about 10 meters in height, with light pink flowers that usually bloom in spring. Thanks to their delicious and nutritious qualities, hazelnut trees are often cultivated for their nuts. After harvesting, the ripe nuts are usually removed from their outer shells, dried, and then roasted for consumption.

If walnuts are considered the king of nuts, then hazelnuts are often referred to as the queen. Hazelnuts contain many nutrients beneficial for heart health, such as magnesium, vitamin E, and especially flavonoids, which help fight aging and protect cells in the body.

For women, hazelnuts help improve skin texture, slow down the aging process, and are essential for pregnant women and the development of the fetus. Moreover, hazelnuts are known for their delightful aroma and taste.

Pistachios are considered a nutritious type of nut that provides many health benefits to humans. Originating from Western Asia, but nowadays, pistachios (also known as snake nuts) are popular worldwide.

Pistachios have been shown to reduce LDL ('bad' cholesterol) and increase HDL ('good' cholesterol) if consumed regularly over a short period. The high content of antioxidants such as vitamin A and E in pistachios can help the body fight inflammation, protect blood vessels, and reduce the risk of heart disease. Consuming a moderate amount of pistachios has also been found to increase the concentration of lutein - a renowned antioxidant that effectively protects the body, counteracts LDL oxidation, and reduces heart disease.

Cashew nuts are a familiar gift for most Vietnamese people. Especially during Tet, everyone gathers around a cup of tea or a glass of wine, enjoying crispy, fragrant, and slightly oily cashew nuts, creating a warm and cozy feeling. Cashew nuts are also a healthy snack, providing many vitamins and minerals for daily consumption: preventing cancer, aiding in weight loss, good and safe for the heart, beautifying hair and skin, strengthening bones, good for nerves, preventing gallstones...

Aside from the classic dish of roasted cashew nuts, you can also create delicious and unique dishes with cashew nuts: stir-fried chicken with cashew nuts, papaya salad with cashew nuts, shredded chicken with cashew nuts... Mothers can make cashew nut milk for their children to supplement nutrition, isn't that wonderful?

6. Melon seeds

Melon seeds are a popular snack during Tet in Vietnam, often served by hosts to guests during the festive season. The main ingredient of melon seeds is simply the seeds of various melons, primarily watermelon. Watermelon seeds are separated and roasted to become the ripe inner part of the seed.

Melon seeds are a nutritious food and very beneficial for people with hepatitis, lipid disorders, etc. Eating melon seeds regularly helps improve memory and brain function, quickly restore the activity of brain cells. Melon seeds contain many nutrients such as protein, carbohydrates, lipids, vitamins B1, B2, E, PP, calcium, iron, zinc, phosphorus, selenium... Among them, the protein in melon seeds is an indispensable substance for nerves, muscles, bodily fluids, organs, and bones. The carbohydrate in melon seeds is the main component of cell and nerve structure.

7. Sunflower seeds

Sunflower seeds are the fruit of the sunflower plant. The sunflower blooms, and within the floret grows a fruit shaped like a seed, hence the name 'seed.'

Sunflower seeds are quite popular and can be used in various culinary creations. This type of seed has a nutty and lightly fatty flavor, with a texture that is soft but still retains a certain firmness. Sunflower seeds are often sold roasted to enhance their flavor, but you can also purchase raw seeds for use.

Additionally, sunflower seeds are rich in healthy fats, beneficial plant compounds, as well as some vitamins and minerals. These nutrients may play a helpful role in reducing the risk of common health issues, including heart disease and type 2 diabetes.

8. Peanuts

On Tet holiday, you also prepare fragrant, crunchy peanuts to treat guests, followed by the nutritional values and health benefits of this type of nut that you may not know. Peanuts contain protein, fatty oils, amino acids: lecithin, purine, alkaloid, calcium, phosphorus, iron. Lysine in peanuts helps prevent premature aging and promotes children's intellectual development. Glutamic and aspartic acids promote brain cell development and enhance memory, while catechin in peanuts also combats premature aging.

Experts recommend eating about 12 peanuts a day to boost health. This type of food is easy to add to dishes or use as snacks. So, consume peanuts in moderation to maximize health benefits.

9. Pumpkin Seeds

Pumpkin seeds contain manganese, magnesium, iron, copper, tryptophan, zinc, phosphorus, and other minerals and vitamins beneficial to the body. Tryptophan helps combat depression. In the body, tryptophan is converted into niacin and serotonin, useful hormones that help combat negative emotions.

Pumpkin seeds also contain many antioxidants, especially phenolics, which slow down cellular aging and fight cancer. The lignans in pumpkin seeds, including lariciresinol, medioresinol, and pinoresinol, have antibacterial and antiviral properties, reduce the risk of breast and prostate cancer. Additionally, consuming pumpkin seeds can improve insulin regulation and protect the kidneys, beneficial for diabetes patients.

10. Lotus Seeds

Lotus seeds are not only a traditional delicacy of the Vietnamese people but have now become a favorite choice for every Tet holiday with high nutritional value. Lotus seeds contain nutrients such as phosphorus, potassium, and many other vitamins that help improve the skin and prevent acne - This is a type of snack during Tet that women should not miss.

In addition to nutrition, lotus seeds also carry many good meanings in the new year such as convenience, luck, and reunion. When enjoying this type of seed, you will feel the characteristic fresh aroma along with the unforgettable sweet and nutty taste lingering on the palate.

11. Soybeans

Crispy soybeans are currently all the rage as their power has surpassed peanuts and sunflower seeds in the race for market share of snack products nowadays. Soybeans have long been known for their versatility, being processed into various delicious dishes such as tofu, soy milk, and now they have become a healthy and tasty dry snack option for you and your family during Tet.

Crispy soybeans are not only delicious but also nutritious, good for the heart, preventing the risk of osteoporosis, highly beneficial for health, especially for women, treating menopausal symptoms, preventing breast cancer in women, influencing bone metabolism, acting on hormone-dependent tumors,...

Crispy soybeans have now become one of the favorite foods for many people. With a salty, sweet, and savory taste blended in each bean, the crunchy texture delights the ears, making it irresistible.

Tamarind seeds with their sweet taste and savory roasted flavor make our mouths full of excitement. With their powerful antioxidant properties and support for weight loss, tamarind seeds are considered a precious snack for Tet. In every 28g serving of tamarind seeds, you'll find 9g of fat, 6g of carbs, 3.5g of fiber, and 176 calories. That's why this type of seed is always loved and favored by everyone in the family on traditional Tet days.

In addition to their appealing flavor, tamarind seeds are also known for their many health benefits. They are rich in fiber, protein, and soluble fats. Thanks to this, tamarind seeds can help control cholesterol levels in the body while protecting heart health and blood pressure. They also help prevent aging processes and support weight loss.