When a mother starts introducing solid foods to her infant, she seeks to provide him with everything that enhances his growth. However, not all foods are suitable for children at this stage, as their digestive systems are still weak and have not fully developed. Walnuts are considered tempting foods due to their high nutritional value, but it is necessary to wait until they reach the appropriate age, which we will point out in this article, through the Dalili Medical website, in addition to the most important benefits of walnuts for infants.

Types of walnuts:

There are three types of walnuts, namely:

1. Black walnut: It is grown in the eastern part of North America.

2. English walnut: This type is grown in Iran.

3. Hybrid walnut: It is a mixture of English walnut and black walnut, and is considered the most common in the markets.

How much walnut does the body need daily?

 

A person needs about 10 walnuts per day. It is important to consider the carbohydrate and calorie content of walnuts, and to ensure that they are compatible with the diet that the person follows.

Do walnuts cause constipation?

 

There is no clear scientific evidence linking eating walnuts to constipation.

Do walnuts increase gas?

 

Yes, eating too many walnuts can irritate the colon and cause digestive disorders, resulting in increased gas.

When can walnuts be introduced into your child's diet?

 

After learning about the benefits of walnuts for children, you may wonder when is the right time to introduce them to your child. Most doctors recommend avoiding feeding any type of nuts, including walnuts, until the child is at least one year old.

The reason for this is that the child may be allergic to nuts, including walnuts. In addition, walnuts are difficult for children to chew, which increases the risk of swallowing and choking on them due to their size.

**Nutritional value of walnuts**

Walnuts are a rich source of copper, phosphorus, manganese, and magnesium, in addition to vitamin B6 and iron. It is also high in protein and healthy fats, including unsaturated fatty acids and omega-3 acids. According to the USDA Nutrition Database, one cup (30 grams) of walnuts contains:

- 200 calories

- 1 gram of sugar

- 2 grams of fiber

- 5 grams of protein

- 20 grams of fat

- 20 milligrams of calcium

- 0.72 milligrams of iron

- Zero sodium

**Benefits of walnuts for children**

 

Here are some of the health benefits that children can get from eating walnuts, also known as walnuts:

1. **Gives children energy**Children need a lot of energy during their growth stages, and walnuts can be an excellent source of that. They are high in calories, which helps provide your active child with the necessary energy during their growth period.

2. It is an excellent source of a range of healthy minerals Walnuts are a great source of many essential minerals that your child's body needs, such as magnesium, potassium, folic acid, calcium, and zinc. These minerals are essential for your child's growth, as calcium strengthens his bones, while iron helps regulate hemoglobin levels. Potassium and sodium in walnuts also help maintain electrolyte balance in his body, while phosphorus plays an important role in digestion, cell repair, and protein generation in your child's growing body.

3. An abundant source of vitamins Walnuts are a rich source of vitamins necessary for children, in addition to the minerals mentioned above. They contain a range of vitamins such as vitamins A, C, E, and K, which play an important role in your child's growth. These vitamins contribute to strengthening the immune system, and they also help convert glucose into glycogen, and stimulate metabolism in children's bodies.

4. Contributes to rapid brain development Walnuts contain folic acid and omega-3 acids, two important nutrients that contribute significantly to the development of the child's brain.

These elements also enhance brain power by improving memory and increasing brain cell activity.

5. Promotes deep and healthy sleep Did you know that walnuts can contribute to improving sleep quality?

Walnuts contain melatonin, which plays a role in promoting sleep and regulating body functions during sleep.

6. Promote hair health Who doesn't want their child to have healthy, shiny hair? Walnuts can help achieve that. This type of nuts plays an important role in maintaining the shine and health of your child's hair, thanks to its abundant amounts of biotin, which is an essential element in building hair.

**Benefits of Walnuts for Children to Increase Intelligence**

 

Walnuts can be introduced to children as soon as solid food is introduced into their diet, but these nuts must be ground well to avoid the risk of choking and to achieve the following benefits for the child's mind:

- Enhancing mental abilities thanks to the walnuts containing omega-3 fats and folic acid.

- Accelerating the development of the mind and brain.

- Increasing the level of concentration.

- Raising intelligence rates.

- Enhancing brain activity.

- Improving memory strength and protecting the brain from some diseases.

Can walnuts cause side effects for children?

 

Eating walnuts may lead to some side effects that require consulting a doctor, including:

- It may cause allergies to some children, so it is preferable to monitor them when introducing walnuts to them for the first time to ensure that no allergic reactions occur.

- Excessive consumption can lead to weight gain, due to its high calorie content.

- It may cause digestive problems such as bloating, diarrhea, and stomach pain when eating large amounts of it.

- It can aggravate ulcer symptoms in people who have it.

- The risk of choking is high when giving whole walnuts toFor young children who cannot swallow it, it is recommended to cut it into small pieces and monitor the child while eating it.

- Hypersensitivity to nuts, including walnuts, is a serious matter that may lead to death, especially if the child suffers from asthma, hay fever or eczema.

Ways to serve walnuts to children:

1. Eat walnuts as a snack on their own.

2. Mix walnuts with dried fruits.

3. Use walnuts in preparing granola bars.

4. Sprinkle chopped walnuts on various types of salads.

5. Add walnuts to rice or pasta dishes of various types.

6. Combine walnuts with breakfast cereals, yogurt or oatmeal.

7. Use walnuts in preparing desserts such as pancakes.

8. Spread walnut butter on toast.

**Walnut Butter:** You can prepare walnut butter in a similar way to peanut butter, by grinding half a cup of roasted walnuts in a food processor, then adding two tablespoons of coconut oil to get a similar consistency. Serve it to your child with toast as a nutritious and complete meal.

**Fruit Smoothie:** To enhance the nutritional value of the fruit smoothie, you can add a teaspoon of ground walnuts.

**Banana and Walnut Milkshake:** Prepare a delicious milkshake for your child by blending two walnuts with a ripe banana, a cup of milk, and a teaspoon of honey. You can also add avocado to the mixture to increase the nutritional value and provide healthy fats for your child.

**Walnut and Honey Recipe**

 

**Ingredients:**

- Half a cup of walnuts.

- Half a cup of assorted nuts.

- Two tablespoons of honey.

**How ​​to prepare:**

 

1. Grind the walnuts with the nuts in an electric blender until the mixture is smooth and free of solid pieces.

2. Mix the ground mixture with honey well, then put it in a clean, tightly sealed container and store it in the refrigerator.

3. Give the child one spoonful daily.

### Walnut Cookies Recipe

#### Ingredients:

- Half a cup of flour

- A quarter cup of ground oats

- 100 grams of butter

- A cup of roasted walnuts

- Half a spoon of oil

- A cup of brown sugar

- An egg

- Chocolate chips

- Sweetened condensed milk

#### Preparation method:

1. In a bowl, beat the egg with the butter and sugar until the mixture is completely dissolved.

2. Add the flour and oatmeal to the mixture and mix well.

3. Grind half the amount of walnuts finely and add to the mixture.

4. Grind the remaining amount of walnuts, keeping the large pieces.

5. Shape the dough into discs and arrange them in a baking tray.

6. Sprinkle the remaining walnuts and chocolate chips over the discs.

7. Bake the cookies in the oven until done.

8. Before serving, you can pass lines of caramel on the cookies to add a beautiful touch

You can serve walnuts to your child after he reaches at least one year, by following these steps:

**Ingredients:**

- Half a cup of walnuts.

- Half a cup of raisins.

- A cup and a half of oats.

**How ​​to prepare:**

 

1. Mix all the ingredients in an electric mixer until you get a smooth mixture.

2. Shape the mixture into balls.

3. Place the balls in the refrigerator until they cool.