Nuts, seeds and other inclusions add new dimensions of color, appearance, texture, nutrition, flavor and more to an increasing range of snack and bakery products. Nut and seed consumption has continued to increase over the past several years. One of the contributing factors to the growth is consumer awareness and interest in plant-based foods.
The 2015–2020 Dietary Guidelines encourage a healthy eating pattern that emphasizes nutrient-dense, plant-based foods while eating a variety of protein foods, including nuts and seeds. Also, the American Heart Association describes crunchy nuts as petite powerhouses of taste and nutrition and has included nuts in its dietary guidelines since 2000.