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Servings of Nuts on the South Beach Diet

What is a Serving of Nuts?

By Laura Dolson, About.com

Updated: September 12, 2007

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On the South Beach Diet, nuts are allowed in limited quantities. Dry roasted are recommended. In my analysis, it seems that the suggested nut servings are about 2/3 ounce per day on the diet*, while about an ounce of seeds is allowed. Here are the exact counts recommended in the diet:

Nut Servings on the South Beach Diet

  • Almonds - 15
  • Brazil Nuts - 4
  • Cashews - 15
  • Hazelnuts (Filberts) - 25
  • Macadamia - 8
  • Peanuts (boiled is fine) - 20 small
  • Pecans - 15
  • Pistachios - 30
  • Walnuts - 15

  • Nut butters, including peanut butter - 2 Tablespoons

Seed Servings on the South Beach Diet

Serving size is one ounce. For most seeds, an ounce is about 3 tablespoons, with a couple of exceptions:
  • Flax Seed - 3 Tablespoons
  • Pine Nuts (Pignolia) 3-4 Tablespoons, depending on size
  • Pumpkin Seeds - 3 Tablespoons
  • Sesame Seeds - 3 Tablespoons
  • Soy "Nuts" (roasted soy kernels) - 1/4 cup
  • Sunflower Seeds - 3 Tablespoons
*This information is from the original South Beach Diet book. The South Beach Diet Good Fats Good Carbs Guide seems to indicate that one ounce servings can be used for nuts. See the South Beach Diet Book List

See the Rest of the South Beach Diet Food Lists
Laura Dolson
Guide since 2005

Laura Dolson
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Low Carb Diets

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