Ah, pretzels. The twisted treats that have been knotting our hearts and appetites for centuries. 

They’re an all-time favorite snack, and you’ve probably enjoyed them at ball games, carnivals, or movie nights. But did you know that these sinuous snacks can actually be good for your health? 

Don’t worry, we didn’t either. 

Well, strap in and hold on to your salt shaker, because we’re about to explore the surprisingly scrumptious health benefits of pretzels.

1. Low-Fat Snacking

One of the reasons that pretzels are a popular snack is that they are relatively low in fat. 

Most types of pretzels are made from simple ingredients like flour, water, and salt, and are typically low in calories and fat. Unlike many other types of snacks, pretzels are not fried in oil or coated in high-fat toppings (I mean, they can be, but for the purposes of this blog post, we’ll say they generally aren’t), which helps keep their fat content low. 

Additionally, some brands of pretzels are now being made with healthier, whole-grain flours that reduces their fat content and makes them a more nutritious option for snacking.

Yay!

2. Guilt-Free Carb Loading

Yes, we know that carbs are often painted as the villain in the never-ending saga of diet and nutrition. 

But guess what? 

Your body actually needs carbs to function properly. Pretzels are made primarily of wheat flour, which means they’re a good source of complex carbs, which break down starches into the glucose that gives us energy, provide fiber to make us feel full, and can lower the risk of cardiovascular disease. 

Speaking of fiber…

3. High in Fiber 

Now, before you get all excited, let’s clarify: not all pretzels are created equally.

If you want to reap the most health benefits, opt for whole wheat pretzels. These black sheep of the pretzel community are packed with fiber, which is essential for maintaining a healthy digestive system. 

A high-fiber diet has also been linked to a lower risk of heart disease, diabetes, and even certain types of cancer. 

4. Healthy for Blood Pressure

You might think that with all that salt, pretzels would be bad for your blood pressure. 

But here’s the twist (see what I did there?): pretzels are actually a good source of potassium, a mineral that helps regulate blood pressure. Potassium can counteract the effects of sodium, so it’s like a salty yin to the salty yang. 

There are also reduced and unsalted pretzel options, because there are reduced salt and unsalted everything. 

5. Nutrient-Rich

Pretzels contain essential nutrients such as iron, thiamine, riboflavin, and niacin. 

These vitamins are crucial for converting food into energy that the body can use. Iron, for instance, is necessary for carrying oxygen throughout the body. Thiamine helps the body convert carbohydrates into energy, and riboflavin and niacin also play a role in energy production. 

Share that knowledge at your next cocktail party.

🚨SHAMELESS PLUG ALERT🚨

With all this pretzel talk, we’d be remiss not to plug our Guy Food Basket, replete with dipping pretzels, mustard, beer cheese, sausage, cashews, cookies, and more. 

Keeping with the health theme, you can always just eat the pretzels and save the rest for a cheat day. 

About BasketWorks

BasketWorks is a woman-owned gift basket company located in the north suburbs of Chicago (specifically Northbrook, IL) since 1997. We are proud to offer a variety of gifts and gift baskets appropriate for all occasions. Each of our packages is built to order, allowing for customization at no additional cost to our clients. Contact us today!

Please subscribe to our blog post and follow us on Facebook and LinkedIn.

There’s something very important you need to know about March Madness brackets that you might already be aware of: 

It’s mainly luck. 

Otherwise, you wouldn’t hear the multitude of stories each year about that person in someone’s bracket pool who won who knows nothing about college basketball. 

Still, having some knowledge never hurts, and to that end, we present five strategies for filling out your March Madness bracket. 

But First, an Overview

The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) men’s basketball tournament, commonly known as March Madness, is a single-elimination tournament that determines the national championship team in college basketball. 

The tournament consists of 68 teams from Division I, and each team is placed into a bracket. Millions of fans create their brackets, predicting the outcomes of each game in hopes of winning their office pool or a significant prize.

Also, $3.1 billion were bet in last year’s tournament, and work productivity suffers because 2.5 people per day follow the games. 

1. Do Your Research

The key to a successful bracket is knowledge. 

Before filling out your bracket, take the time to do your research. Learn about the teams and players, their strengths and weaknesses, and their past performances. Look at statistics such as field goal percentage, three-point percentage, rebounds, and assists. Consider injuries, team chemistry, and coaching styles. 

The more you know about the teams, the better your predictions will be.

But…again, luck wins. 

2. Look for Upsets

Seeds = rankings. 

Lowest seed is 16. Highest seed is 1. 

Upsets are a common occurrence in March Madness. 

The tournament is notorious for teams with lower seeds beating teams with higher seeds. Don’t be afraid to pick a few upsets in your bracket. Look for teams that have been performing well in the latter half of the season or have a particular matchup advantage. 

In recent years, 12-seed teams have a good track record of upsetting 5-seed teams, so keep that in mind when making your picks.

You’ll look like a genius. 

3. Balance Your Bracket

When filling out your bracket, it’s essential to balance your selections. 

Don’t pick too many upsets or too many favorites. Look for a balance between high-seeded and low-seeded teams, as well as between teams from different conferences. This approach will help you avoid having too many incorrect picks in the early rounds, which could hurt your chances of winning.

You won’t look like a genius. 

4. Follow the Trends

Still with me? Good.

March Madness is full of trends and patterns that can help you make more informed decisions. 

For example, the team with the better defense often wins in the later rounds of the tournament. Teams that shoot a high percentage of three-pointers can also be dangerous, especially in a one-and-done tournament format. 

Look at trends from previous tournaments, such as the performance of certain conferences or teams in specific rounds to guide your selections.

This is a great way to be unproductive at work. 

5. Don’t Forget About Momentum 

Ride the hot teams. 

Look for those that are playing well coming into the tournament, or teams that have won their conference tournament. Teams that have momentum on their side can carry that into the tournament and make a deep run, regardless of their seeding.

Good luck, and may the best bracket win!

🚨SHAMELESS PLUG ALERT🚨

What does gardening have to do with March Madness? 

Nothing. 

But spring starts this month, which means it’s time to start thinking about what you want to grow in your yard. Enter our Gardener’s Delight Gift Basket, featuring: a Seed & Sprout garden set, including a colorful half apron, hand spade, and hand trowel; Garden Notes books; J&M cookies; Davidson tea; and more! 

About BasketWorks

BasketWorks is a woman-owned gift basket company located in the north suburbs of Chicago (specifically Northbrook, IL) since 1997. We are proud to offer a variety of gifts and gift baskets appropriate for all occasions. Each of our packages is built to order, allowing for customization at no additional cost to our clients. Contact us today! Please subscribe to our blog post and follow us on Facebook and LinkedIn.