Macadamia Nut Chocolate Chip Cookies (Grain Free, Low Sugar, Low Carb)

Macadamia nuts are a staple on the Paleo/Primal diet.  This Macadamia Nut Chocolate Chip Cookie will make you a macadamia nut fan (even if you’re not yet), I promise.

Since going Paleo…well, Paleo-ish about a year ago, I’ve eaten very few macadamia nuts.  They are kind of expensive and really not very easy to find in most grocery stores.  But, ahhhh, my beloved Trader Joe’s….stocks macadamia nuts all year round (not just holiday baking season) and they are reasonably priced (for Mac Nuts anyhow).

As some of you know, nuts aren’t really allowed on the Paleo diet.

Why?  Basically nuts contain Lectins and Phytic Acid.  I’ve talked about Phytic Acid here before and the importance of soaking nuts to help break it down.  Lectins aren’t good for you because they can irritate the gut lining and create inflammation. Quick re-cap on phytic acid…not good either…Phytic acid is a biological mechanism the nut or seed uses to prevent it from sprouting before the ideal conditions are present.  Phytic acid in our digestive system has the ability to bind to minerals like calcium, iron and magnesium and prevent them from being absorbed as well as prevent the full digestion of the proteins in nuts.

Sure, nuts are convenient on the go (especially with a busy job or small children), but they’re not the healthiest thing.  Many Paleo type snacks use nuts to replace grain and you end up just eating way too many nuts.

You don’t need to avoid eating nuts entirely, simply pay attention to how much you’re eating, and try to keep to roughly a handful of nuts per day, or 2 at the most (one handful roughly equals ¼ cup of nut flour).

Here’s the quick scoop on why macadamia nuts are different and actually very healthy…

Rich source of Vitamin A, iron, protein, thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, and folates, and moderate amounts of zinc, copper, calcium, phosphorus, potassium, and magnesium….Contains antioxidants like polyphenols, Amino acids, flavones, and selenium….Higher quality fat (monounsaturated like in avocados and olive oil) with a much lower Omega 6 level than other nuts.

Here’s a study that shows macadamia nuts can actually lower LDL (bad cholesterol)

All-in-All…throw away any old, preconceived notions of macadamia nuts as bad and high in fat which will make you fat…Not true!  The days of low fat are gone people!  Good thing, because I love butter (the grass-fed kind, more on that at another time)!

Macadamia nuts are nutritious and delicious.  This simple Macadamia Nut Chocolate Chip Cookie recipe is a crowd pleaser and a great option to make for holiday gatherings.