Whole-Food Nuts & Seeds Guide
24 items classified under standard Whole-Food guidelines.
Whole-Food classifies foods based on processing level. Of the 24 nuts & seeds evaluated, 18 are classified as Allowed, 6 as Limited, and 0 as Not Allowed.
Quick Reference
| Food | Status | Calories (per 100g) |
|---|---|---|
| Almond Butter | Allowed | 614kcal |
| Almonds | Allowed | 598kcal |
| Brazil Nuts | Allowed | 659kcal |
| Cashew Butter | Allowed | 609kcal |
| Cashews | Allowed | 574kcal |
| Chia Seeds | Allowed | 486kcal |
| Flaxseeds | Allowed | 534kcal |
| Hazelnuts | Allowed | 628kcal |
| Hemp Seeds | Allowed | 553kcal |
| Macadamia Nuts | Allowed | 716kcal |
| Mixed Nuts | Allowed | 610kcal |
| Pecans | Allowed | 750kcal |
| Pine Nuts | Allowed | 673kcal |
| Pistachios | Allowed | 560kcal |
| Pumpkin Seeds | Allowed | 574kcal |
| Sesame Seeds | Allowed | 631kcal |
| Sunflower Seeds | Allowed | 582kcal |
| Walnuts | Allowed | 668kcal |
| Almond Flour | Limited | 571kcal |
| Chocolate Trail Mix | Limited | 503kcal |
| Coconut Flour | Limited | 443kcal |
| Nut Bars | Limited | 454kcal |
| Trail Mix | Limited | 454kcal |
| Unsweetened Trail Mix | Limited | 462kcal |
Classification Breakdown
18 Allowed — These nuts & seeds are minimally processed, in or close to its natural state. 6 Limited — These items have moderately processed — fine in plain form, often ultra-processed in branded versions.
The target is NOVA group 4 — ultra-processed foods built from extracted components and additives.
Allowed Nuts & Seeds (18)
Almond Butter
AllowedAlmond Butter is classified as Allowed on Whole-Food, with 614kcal calories per 100g. The classification reflects that it is minimally processed, in or close to its natural state. Nutritionally, it also delivers 21g protein and 55.5g fat per serving. Within this category, it falls between Mixed Nuts and Hazelnuts for calories, ranking 17 of 24.
Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central
Almonds
AllowedAlmonds is classified as Allowed on Whole-Food, with 598kcal calories per 100g. This means it is minimally processed, in or close to its natural state. It also contains 21g protein and 52.5g fat, which may factor into overall meal planning. Within this category, it falls between Sunflower Seeds and Cashew Butter for calories, ranking 14 of 24.
Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central
Brazil Nuts
AllowedWith 659kcal calories per 100g, Brazil Nuts earns a Allowed classification on Whole-Food. This means it is minimally processed, in or close to its natural state. It also contains 14.3g protein and 67.1g fat, which may factor into overall meal planning. It ranks among the highest in this category for calories. The nearest lower option is Sesame Seeds at 631kcal.
Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central
Cashew Butter
AllowedWith 609kcal calories per 100g, Cashew Butter earns a Allowed classification on Whole-Food. It is minimally processed, in or close to its natural state. Beyond the primary classification, cashew butter also provides 12.1g protein and 53g fat per 100g. Within this category, it falls between Almonds and Mixed Nuts for calories, ranking 15 of 24.
Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central
Cashews
AllowedWith 574kcal calories per 100g, Cashews earns a Allowed classification on Whole-Food. This means it is minimally processed, in or close to its natural state. It also contains 15.3g protein and 46.4g fat, which may factor into overall meal planning. Within this category, it falls between Almond Flour and Pumpkin Seeds for calories, ranking 11 of 24.
Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central
Chia Seeds
AllowedChia Seeds is classified as Allowed on Whole-Food, with 486kcal calories per 100g. The classification reflects that it is minimally processed, in or close to its natural state. Nutritionally, it also delivers 16.5g protein and 30.7g fat per serving. Among the 24 items in this category, chia seeds sits at the low end for calories — next closest is Chocolate Trail Mix at 503kcal.
Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central
Flaxseeds
AllowedWith 534kcal calories per 100g, Flaxseeds earns a Allowed classification on Whole-Food. This means it is minimally processed, in or close to its natural state. It also contains 18.3g protein and 42.2g fat, which may factor into overall meal planning. Within this category, it falls between Chocolate Trail Mix and Hemp Seeds for calories, ranking 7 of 24.
Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central
Hazelnuts
AllowedHazelnuts is classified as Allowed on Whole-Food, with 628kcal calories per 100g. The classification reflects that it is minimally processed, in or close to its natural state. Nutritionally, it also delivers 14.9g protein and 53g fat per serving. Within this category, it falls between Almond Butter and Sesame Seeds for calories, ranking 18 of 24.
Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central
Hemp Seeds
AllowedHemp Seeds is classified as Allowed on Whole-Food, with 553kcal calories per 100g. This means it is minimally processed, in or close to its natural state. It also contains 31.6g protein and 48.8g fat, which may factor into overall meal planning. Within this category, it falls between Flaxseeds and Pistachios for calories, ranking 8 of 24.
Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central
Macadamia Nuts
AllowedAt 716kcal calories per 100g, Macadamia Nuts falls into the Allowed category under Whole-Food guidelines. It is minimally processed, in or close to its natural state. Beyond the primary classification, macadamia nuts also provides 7.8g protein and 76.1g fat per 100g. It ranks among the highest in this category for calories. The nearest lower option is Pine Nuts at 673kcal.
Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central
Mixed Nuts
AllowedMixed Nuts is classified as Allowed on Whole-Food, with 610kcal calories per 100g. This means it is minimally processed, in or close to its natural state. It also contains 19.6g protein and 53.8g fat, which may factor into overall meal planning. Within this category, it falls between Cashew Butter and Almond Butter for calories, ranking 16 of 24.
Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central
Pecans
AllowedWith 750kcal calories per 100g, Pecans earns a Allowed classification on Whole-Food. It is minimally processed, in or close to its natural state. Beyond the primary classification, pecans also provides 10g protein and 73.3g fat per 100g. It ranks among the highest in this category for calories. The nearest lower option is Macadamia Nuts at 716kcal.
Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central
Pine Nuts
AllowedAt 673kcal calories per 100g, Pine Nuts falls into the Allowed category under Whole-Food guidelines. The classification reflects that it is minimally processed, in or close to its natural state. Nutritionally, it also delivers 13.7g protein and 68.4g fat per serving. It ranks among the highest in this category for calories. The nearest lower option is Walnuts at 668kcal.
Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central
Pistachios
AllowedAt 560kcal calories per 100g, Pistachios falls into the Allowed category under Whole-Food guidelines. The classification reflects that it is minimally processed, in or close to its natural state. Nutritionally, it also delivers 20.2g protein and 45.3g fat per serving. Within this category, it falls between Hemp Seeds and Almond Flour for calories, ranking 9 of 24.
Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central
Pumpkin Seeds
AllowedPumpkin Seeds is classified as Allowed on Whole-Food, with 574kcal calories per 100g. This means it is minimally processed, in or close to its natural state. It also contains 29.8g protein and 49.1g fat, which may factor into overall meal planning. Within this category, it falls between Cashews and Sunflower Seeds for calories, ranking 12 of 24.
Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central
Sesame Seeds
AllowedSesame Seeds is classified as Allowed on Whole-Food, with 631kcal calories per 100g. The classification reflects that it is minimally processed, in or close to its natural state. Nutritionally, it also delivers 20.5g protein and 61.2g fat per serving. It ranks among the highest in this category for calories. The nearest lower option is Hazelnuts at 628kcal.
Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central
Sunflower Seeds
AllowedSunflower Seeds is classified as Allowed on Whole-Food, with 582kcal calories per 100g. This means it is minimally processed, in or close to its natural state. It also contains 19.3g protein and 49.8g fat, which may factor into overall meal planning. Within this category, it falls between Pumpkin Seeds and Almonds for calories, ranking 13 of 24.
Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central
Walnuts
AllowedAt 668kcal calories per 100g, Walnuts falls into the Allowed category under Whole-Food guidelines. The classification reflects that it is minimally processed, in or close to its natural state. Nutritionally, it also delivers 9.8g protein and 56.9g fat per serving. It ranks among the highest in this category for calories. The nearest lower option is Brazil Nuts at 659kcal.
Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central
Limited Nuts & Seeds (6)
Almond Flour
LimitedWith 571kcal calories per 100g, Almond Flour earns a Limited classification on Whole-Food. It is moderately processed — fine in plain form, often ultra-processed in branded versions. Beyond the primary classification, almond flour also provides 21.4g protein and 50.6g fat per 100g. Within this category, it falls between Pistachios and Cashews for calories, ranking 10 of 24. The "Limited" label means the classification depends on specific conditions — portion size, brand formulation, or preparation method can shift it from compliant to non-compliant.
Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central
Chocolate Trail Mix
LimitedChocolate Trail Mix is classified as Limited on Whole-Food, with 503kcal calories per 100g. This means it is moderately processed — fine in plain form, often ultra-processed in branded versions. It also contains 11.7g protein and 32.3g fat, which may factor into overall meal planning. Among the 24 items in this category, chocolate trail mix sits at the low end for calories — next closest is Flaxseeds at 534kcal. Check the label carefully: the same product can be compliant or not depending on the specific brand or how it was prepared.
Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central
Coconut Flour
LimitedAt 443kcal calories per 100g, Coconut Flour falls into the Limited category under Whole-Food guidelines. It is moderately processed — fine in plain form, often ultra-processed in branded versions. Beyond the primary classification, coconut flour also provides 19.3g protein and 13.7g fat per 100g. Among the 24 items in this category, coconut flour sits at the low end for calories — next closest is Nut Bars at 454kcal. Portion control is key here — a small amount may fit within the diet's parameters, while a full serving may not.
Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central
Nut Bars
LimitedNut Bars is classified as Limited on Whole-Food, with 454kcal calories per 100g. The classification reflects that it is moderately processed — fine in plain form, often ultra-processed in branded versions. Nutritionally, it also delivers 8g protein and 20.4g fat per serving. Among the 24 items in this category, nut bars sits at the low end for calories — next closest is Trail Mix at 454kcal. The "Limited" label means the classification depends on specific conditions — portion size, brand formulation, or preparation method can shift it from compliant to non-compliant.
Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central
Trail Mix
LimitedTrail Mix is classified as Limited on Whole-Food, with 454kcal calories per 100g. This means it is moderately processed — fine in plain form, often ultra-processed in branded versions. It also contains 10.9g protein and 26.8g fat, which may factor into overall meal planning. Among the 24 items in this category, trail mix sits at the low end for calories — next closest is Unsweetened Trail Mix at 462kcal. Check the label carefully: the same product can be compliant or not depending on the specific brand or how it was prepared.
Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central
Unsweetened Trail Mix
LimitedUnsweetened Trail Mix is classified as Limited on Whole-Food, with 462kcal calories per 100g. This means it is moderately processed — fine in plain form, often ultra-processed in branded versions. It also contains 13.8g protein and 29.4g fat, which may factor into overall meal planning. Among the 24 items in this category, unsweetened trail mix sits at the low end for calories — next closest is Chia Seeds at 486kcal. Check the label carefully: the same product can be compliant or not depending on the specific brand or how it was prepared.
Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central