Mes Recipes

Mes Notes · This or That? · August 2026

Almonds, Walnuts or Hazelnuts?

All three are packed with healthy fats and protein — but each has one standout strength.

Almonds
Walnuts
Hazelnuts

Almonds

Protein and vitamin E champion

Protein (per 100g)~21g
Omega-3Low
Vitamin E~26mg (very high)
StandoutCalcium, magnesium

Best for

The richest in protein and vitamin E — as a snack, as almond butter, or on top of a salad. Also stands out for calcium. The most filling when eaten whole.

Walnuts

Far ahead on plant-based omega-3

Protein (per 100g)~15g
Omega-3~9g (highest)
Vitamin EMedium
StandoutCopper, manganese

Best for

By far the leader in plant-based omega-3 (ALA) — linked to brain and heart health. Great on salads, in porridge and with yogurt.

Hazelnuts

Rich in vitamin E and aroma

Protein (per 100g)~15g
Omega-3Low
Vitamin E~15mg (high)
StandoutManganese, folate

Best for

Rich in vitamin E and manganese. Their aroma multiplies when lightly toasted — lovely in desserts, granola and breakfast spreads.

Verdict

For omega-3, walnuts. For protein and vitamin E, almonds. For aroma and manganese, hazelnuts. The smartest move: a handful a day (~30g), rotating all three.

Almonds, walnuts, hazelnuts. These three nuts are packed with healthy fats and protein, and we scatter them everywhere: as a snack, on a salad, in porridge. But each has a strength that stands out. Here's how to choose based on what you need, with rough values per 100 g.

Almonds: protein and vitamin E champions

Almonds are the richest in protein of the three, with around 21 g per 100 g, and champions of vitamin E, around 26 mg. They also stand out for calcium and magnesium. Their omega-3 is low.

Best for

A filling snack, almond butter, or on a salad. The most filling when eaten whole.

Walnuts: far ahead on omega-3

Walnuts provide around 15 g of protein per 100 g, but above all, they're far ahead on plant-based omega-3 (ALA), with around 9 g — the highest of the three. That omega-3 is linked to brain and heart health. They also stand out for copper and manganese.

Best for

Omega-3 — perfect on salads, in porridge and with yogurt.

Hazelnuts: rich in vitamin E and aroma

Hazelnuts provide around 15 g of protein per 100 g and are rich in vitamin E, around 15 mg, plus manganese and folate. Their omega-3 is low, but their aroma multiplies when lightly toasted.

Best for

Desserts, granola and homemade spreads.

So, which one to choose?

  • almondsprotein and vitamin E

  • walnutsomega-3

  • hazelnutsaroma and desserts

All three are excellent sources of healthy fats and protein. The ideal is to alternate, and to eat them plain and unsalted, in small handfuls — since they stay calorie-dense.

Want to cook with them? They bring out the best in a bowl or a seasonal salad — a generous handful scattered on top just before serving.

For general information only. If you have a chronic condition, consult a healthcare professional.