Are Hazelnuts Healthy? Here’s What Nutritionists Say Tina Donvito Hazelnut: An underrated nut What's the first thing that comes to mind when you think of hazelnuts? Probably a lip-smacking hazelnut-chocolate spread like Nutella. Just the thought of spreading it on toast or over strawberries makes your mouth water, doesn't it? But beyond such sugar-laden products is a healthy and nutritious treat all on its own: the hazelnut. As with other nutritious nuts, hazelnuts have been trending up lately. Both demand and production increased over the past 10 years—in the United States, hazelnut crops have increased 55 percent from a decade prior, according to the International Nut and Dried Fruit Council Foundation. Even better, it's sustainably produced in the U.S.