How to Introduce Nuts to Kids

Your child has special energy requirements to help his body grow and develop. Nuts such as almonds, walnuts, pistachios and hazelnuts should form part of his balanced diet, as they are a nutritional powerhouse packed with healthy protein, fat, vitamins and minerals. Nuts are a tasty and convenient snack for kids, providing a source of energy and strengthening the immune system. Introducing nuts during childhood will help your kid develop healthy eating habits and offer lifelong benefits. When planning to introduce nuts, you must consider timing, food allergies and safe feeding solutions in order to safeguard your child from life-threatening health hazards such as asphyxiation and unconsciousness.

Things You'll Need

  • Nut milk, powder or paste

Instructions

  1. Children Under Five Years of Age

    • 1

      Feed your child nuts in ground powder form once she is a year old. Add a teaspoon of finely ground almonds, pistachios or hazelnuts to your child's cereals, soups, sauces and other foods prior to feeding. Do not feed your child whole nuts until she is five years of age. Whole nuts, because of their size, can cause a child younger than five years of age to choke.

    • 2

      Offer almond milk as a tasty and healthy alternative to dairy milk. Almond milk has a creamy, nutty flavor and is a good source of calcium and vitamin E.

    • 3

      Closely monitor your child for allergic reactions after you have fed her nuts. Observe for signs of wheezing, stomach ache, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, facial swelling and hives. Discontinue feeding nuts if your child displays allergic reactions. Take her to your pediatrician immediately.

    Children Above Five Years of Age

    • 4

      Closely supervise your child when you offer him whole nuts such as almonds, macadamia and walnuts. Encourage him to take bite-size bites and chew the nuts thoroughly.

    • 5

      Add nuts, nut meal or nut butters to homemade treats such as cakes, pancakes and muffins. Sprinkle nut bits on yogurt, ice cream, milkshakes and other desserts just before serving. Offer these nutritious, nut-fortified baked goodies and desserts to your child.

    • 6

      Combine ground nut pastes with grated carrot to prepare healthy snacks for your child. Spread the nut paste on sandwiches or use it as a filling in celery stick wedges.

    • 7

      Prepare trail mixes in advance and store them in an airtight container. Combine different nuts with granola, dried apples, apricots, raisins, sunflower seeds and pumpkin seeds. Offer the trail mix to your child as a mid-day snack.

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