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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Pistachio Principle?

What is the Pistachio Principle?

According to James Painter, Ph.D., R.D., Chair of the School of Family and Consumer Sciences at Eastern Illinois University, the "Pistachio Principle" is caloric reduction without calorie restriction. It is one of the many ways we can alter our environmental cues, allowing us to become more mindful and satisfied with our food choices.12

Painter found that eating in-shell pistachios helped individuals eat fewer calories without consciously restricting their calories. Compared to shelled nuts, those who enjoyed in-shell pistachios not only ate 50 percent fewer calories, but they also reported feeling equally satisfied. Another study found that when empty shells were left on the table after eating, individuals ate 35% fewer calories than when shells were discarded after eating.12

As a strategy to help people feel fuller on fewer calories and be more mindful of how much they've eaten, in-shell pistachios are a win-win for successful weight loss. Check out other tips and tricks to "Fool Yourself Thin" in the Pistachio Principle article.

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References

  1. Rainey CJ, Nyquist, Food Research Inc., Los Angeles. Unpublished original research 2006
  2. Wu et al, "Lipophilic and hydrophilic antioxidant capacities of common foods in the United States," J. Agric Food Chemi, 52 (12), 4026-4037
  3. Complete Food and Nutrition Guide, 3rd Edition, Roberta Duyff
  4. Institute of Medicine, 2002a. "Dietary Reference Intakes for Energy, Carbohydrate, Fiber, Fat, Fatty Acids, Cholesterol, Protein and Amino Acids. Washington , DC: National Academy Press
  5. American Chemical Society, "Sunflower seeds, pistachios among top nuts for lowering cholesterol," Dec. 7, 2005.
  6. Wu et al, "Lipophilic and hydrophilic antioxidant capacities of common foods in the United States," J. Agric Food Chemi, 52 (12), 4026-4037
  7. Institute of Medicine, 2004. "Dietary Reference Intakes for Water, Potassium, Sodium, Chloride, and Sulfate." Washington DC
  8. "Trans fat share attack on Americans' hearts," USA Today, accessed online Feb. 23, 2007
  9. "Trans Fatty Acids," AmericanHeart.org, accessed online Mar. 5, 2007
  10. Sabate, J. (2003) "Nut consumption and body weight," American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 78(3), 647S-650.
  11. Seeram NP, Aviram M, Zhang Y, Henning SM et al. Comparison of Antioxidant Potency of Commonly Consumed Polyphenol-Rich Beverages in the United States. J Agric Food Chem. 2008 Feb 27;56(4):1415-1422.
  12. Painter, J. The Pistachio Principle: Calorie Reduction Without Calorie Restriction. Weight Management Matters, 6(2),8.
  13. U.S. Dept. of Agriculture. (2007). USDA National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference, Release 18. Beltsville, MD: USDA Agricultural Research Service, Nutrient Data Laboratory.
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