Unsalted Pistachios: Shelled or In-Shell

Like other tree nuts, pistachios have many health benefits. However, if you buy the salted kind, you may be doing your body more harm than good because the high amount of salt they contain can raise your blood pressure. Luckily, it is also possible to buy pistachios without salt.

Pure, unsalted pistachios are sold both shelled and in-shell, and each type has its benefits. Read on to learn more about the benefits of each type and get tips on where to buy pure, salt-free pistachios, shelled or unshelled.

Shelled Pistachios

If you like to use pistachios as an ingredient in your meals, instead of just snacking on them, buying shelled pistachios can save you a lot of prep time as you won't have to remove those pesky shells manually. There are tons of different ways to incorporate shelled pistachios into your diet, including sprinkling them on salads, yogurt, or smoothie bowls. Turning them into pistachio butter in a good blender that's capable of making nut butter and using your homemade pistachio butter as an alternative to peanut butter is also a great way to incorporate these nutrient-packed goodies into your diet.

Where to Buy: So, you want to grab a bag of unsalted shelled pistachios? Head to the nut section of a well-stocked grocery store or health food store, or order them online. If you like to shop on Amazon, check out these raw, shelled pistachios—you can use these little goodies as they are, or roast them in a frying pan or in the oven.

Unshelled Pistachios

If you like to snack on pistachios, you might want to buy unshelled pistachios rather than the shelled kind. As you will have to remove each shell manually, it is easier to resist the temptation to eat a huge amount of these calorie-dense goodies all at once. What's more, some studies suggest that unshelled pistachios are less prone to aflatoxin contamination than their shelled counterparts. As you may already know, aflatoxins are toxic by-products of fungal growth on certain foods such as nuts and dried fruits, and they have been linked to a number of diseases and health problems including cancer, impaired immune function, nutrient deficiencies, and gastrointestinal problems.

Where to Buy: Depending on where you live, finding unshelled unsalted pistachios in regular grocery stores may prove to be difficult. Luckily, these healthy kernels are readily available online through Amazon. If you don't know which brand to pick, try these unshelled, unsalted pistachios — not only are they salt-free, they are also free from added oils.