*****2025 CROP UPDATE*****
EARLY INDICATIONS OUR PENDING HARVEST
SHOULD RESULT IN OUR USUAL SUPERB QUALITY PECANS!
MUCH IMPROVED OVER THE LAST HARVEST WHICH WAS SUB-PAR
DUE TO THE DURATION AND EXTREME HEAT WE HAD LAST YEAR
EXPECTED AVAILABILITY SHOULD BE LATE DEC. 2024 OR EARLY JAN 2025
Due to massive inflation our prices for 2025 will very likely increase.
THANKS FOR YOUR BUSINESS!
2024 Pricing (No Fancy Halves this Year)
1 Lb. to 4 lbs: $10 per Lb.
5 Lbs to 9 Lbs: $9.75 per Lb.
10 Lbs to 29lbs: $9.50per Lb.
30 Lbs & More: $9 per Lb.
K & D Pecans
Las Cruces NM
email: pagedw@comcast.net
575-523-7270
K & D PECANS
NUT MEAT CATEGORIES
FOR 2025 we expect to again have Fancy Halves
and offer 4 nut meat categories:
Fancy Halves
Halves
3/8's
1/4's
The approximate appearance for each
category can be seen in the images to
the left
THE SWEET HEALTH “PERKS” OF EATING PECANS – THIS NUTRITIOUS NUT WILL SURPRISE YOU
Who doesn’t love pecans? The rich, buttery flavor of these tempting tree nuts is reminiscent of caramel and brown sugar, while their gentle crunch adds satisfying texture.
Surprisingly, these tasty morsels - especially when nibbled “as is” and substituted for processed foods rich in saturated fats - could help you maintain a healthy weight. While it’s true that pecans are high in fats, experts say their fatty acids are of the anti-inflammatory monounsaturated and polyunsaturated varieties. In addition, pecans are crammed with essential vitamins and minerals.
Let’s look at other “gifts” of pecans for blood sugar, cholesterol levels, and overall health.
Pecans may improve insulin resistance and promote better blood sugar control
Two out of three American adults are currently either overweight or obese, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Unfortunately, obesity is closely linked with the soaring national rates of type 2 diabetes and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (both of which are verging on epidemic status in the United States). While pecans might appear to be unlikely nutritional heroes, recent research shows that they may be truly beneficial to health.
For example, one review of studies showed that adding tree nuts such as pecans to the diet could help lower levels of hemoglobin A1C, a measure of blood sugar control over time. In addition, a study published in Nutrients showed that a daily handful of pecans (when added to participants’ diets in place of other foods) improved insulin sensitivity in overweight and obese individuals, thereby helping with the transport of sugar from the blood into the cells.
The scientists concluded that replacing a portion of the saturated fats in the participants’ diets with pecans caused significant heart-healthy effects. “One small change - eating a handful of pecans daily - may have a large impact on the health of (these) at-risk adults,” said lead researcher Diane McKay, Ph.D. And this is not the only evidence linking pecans with improved heart and metabolic health.
Pecans are in good company - studies show tree nuts are linked with lower rates of heart disease
A study involving 100,000 participants showed that higher consumption of nuts was associated with lower rates of coronary heart disease and cardiovascular disease. In addition, multiple studies have suggested that pecans may help lower total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and triglycerides, or fats in the blood. One eye-opening study published in the Journal of Nutrition found that eating a handful of pecans daily may help lower cholesterol levels - to a level similar to that obtained by taking statin drugs!
A 2019 study published in the Journal of Human Nutrition and Diet showed that a daily one-ounce serving of pecans for 12 weeks improved the ratio of total cholesterol to HDL cholesterol for patients with stable coronary artery disease. (However, this study didn’t show a drop in LDL levels). Clearly, more research to pinpoint the cardiovascular benefits of pecans is needed. But, if you need any more evidence of pecans’ nutritional virtues, they are officially certified as a Heart-Healthy Food by the American Heart Association – not too shabby!
Protect cognitive function with tree nuts such as pecans, cashews, and walnuts
Monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats have been linked in multiple studies to decreased mental decline and brain inflammation. One sizable study involving over 15,000 women aged 70 and above showed that higher consumption of nuts was linked with improved long-term cognition - including more efficient verbal recall and attention.
Another study showed that those who ate at least 10 grams of tree nuts per day were a stunning 40 percent less likely to have poor cognition! So it seems that nibbling on pecans and other nuts may help curb mild cognitive impairment and preserve brain function into old age.
Pecans offer a wealth of vitamins and minerals
Pecans are rich in bone-building calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, and potassium - and are also a great source of thiamine, or vitamin B1, essential for turning carbs into energy. Other “goodies” in pecans include generous amounts of copper and zinc - both important for immune health - and the antioxidant vitamins E and A. Containing 196 calories, an ounce of pecans offers up 2.5 grams of high-quality protein and 2.7 grams of dietary fiber.
Because pecans are relatively high in fat and calories, nutritionists and natural health experts advise moderate servings, with around one ounce (28 grams) a day appearing to be the “sweet spot” for health benefits. (Pro tip: This is about 20 pecan halves). And, for maximum benefit, opt for pecans without added sodium or sugar. Naturally, if you are allergic to tree nuts, don’t eat pecans.
Versatile pecans can be enjoyed out of hand as a snack or added to your favorite foods. Sprinkle chopped pecans on a mixed green salad - or add a note of sweetness by substituting them for walnuts in a classic Waldorf salad. You can also use them to add crunch to oatmeal or yogurt - or feature them with other nuts and raisins in trail mix. Chopped pecans can also be used in recipes to encrust salmon, chicken, and pork.
Nutritious, delicious, and convenient, pecans make a great addition to your healthy diet.
Sources for this article include:
EATING PECANS WILL GIVE YOU 3 IMPORTANT HEALTH BENEFITS
The rich, sweet, buttery taste of pecans makes eating them feel like a guilty pleasure. But these delicious tree nuts are far from being a decadent, diet-busting indulgence.
When eaten in moderate amounts, pecans are actually a highly nutritious and healthful snack. In fact, many food experts like to classify this nut as a true “superfood” - and recent research backs up this claim. Let’s take a look at some of the unexpected benefits of pecans.
Pecans offer up a “jackpot” of nutrients
An ounce of pecans - about 20 pecan halves - packs in a lot of valuable nutrients. The serving contains 2.7 grams of fiber, 2.5 grams of protein and an impressive roster of antioxidants, vitamins and minerals.
Pecans are high in zinc, which is vital to wound healing and immune function. In fact, research has shown that diets high in zinc are linked with a lower risk of degenerative disease. And, an ounce of pecans contains a whopping 38 percent of the recommended daily intake of copper, which - like zinc - supports and strengthens the immune system.
Pecans are also a good source of manganese - an anti-inflammatory mineral that can help reduce risk of chronic degenerative disease - as well as bone-building magnesium, phosphorus and iron. In addition, powerful antioxidants - like beta-carotene and ellagic and oleic acids - help to scavenge harmful free radicals that can trigger oxidative damage and disease. Finally, pecans are rich in vitamin E - another potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory – as well as the B vitamin thiamine, which helps convert food into energy.
While pecans are high in fat, delivering a whopping 20 grams in a one-ounce serving, the good news is that most of the fatty acids in pecans are of the healthy mono- and polyunsaturated variety.
Lower your risk of type 2 diabetes and obesity
Studies have shown that a diet high in tree nuts is linked with reduced mortality from type 2 diabetes. But has there been specific research on the ability of pecans to fight the current epidemic of diabetes and obesity?
As a matter of fact, the answer is yes!
One study involving overweight and obese adults found that eating a pecan-rich diet for four weeks increased the body’s ability to use insulin effectively, resulting in a lower A1c (a measure of blood sugar control over time). As if that weren’t impressive enough, pecan consumption also improved the function of beta cells in the pancreas, which are responsible for producing all-important insulin in the first place.
Scientists think that soluble fiber in pecans, which slows the absorption of sugar into the blood, could be responsible for the beneficial effect. As an added bonus, the fiber in pecans can help provide a feeling of fullness, or satiety, thereby helping to discourage binge eating, food cravings and overweight.
It’s official: Eating pecans can support heart health
A high intake of tree nuts is associated with a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease, and pecans can take some of the credit. For one thing, they are high in monounsaturated fatty acids, which can improve your cholesterol profile.
In a controlled trial published in Nutrients, four weeks of a pecan-rich diet lowered biomarkers of heart disease in overweight and obese adults, leading researchers to conclude that pecans can significantly lower the risk of cardiovascular disease.
A brand-new study just published in The Journal of Nutrition helps to confirm this good news. The scientists found that 68 grams (about an ounce and a half) of pecans a day improved LDL cholesterol and triglyceride levels in people at risk for heart disease. The pecans also helped to reduce levels of apoliprotein B, which many researchers consider a better predictor of heart disease than your LDL and HDL cholesterol levels.
Versatile pecans add flavor, texture and nutrients to recipes
You can use pecans to add crunch to salads, enliven yogurt, and enhance oatmeal. Or, partner them with apples, grapes, raisins or pears for a quick, energizing snack.
Convenient and portable, pecans can be nibbled “on the go,” and make a great addition to your favorite trail mix. You can also capitalize on the rich, caramel-like flavor by giving pecans a starring role in pancakes and waffles. Or, bake them into bread, muffins and cookies.
With about 200 calories per ounce, pecans are not a low-calorie food. Experts say that the key to adding pecans to your diet is consuming them not “in addition to” but “instead of” other high-calorie foods. And, of course, opt for organic pecans without any added salt or sugar.
Bottom line: In many cases, simply eating a small amount of pecans can make an excellent addition to a healthy diet.
Sources:
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/are-pecans-good-for-you
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4105147/