Thursday 11 October 2012

Raw Baby? That's Nuts!

Nuts are nutritious. Some people are allergic so extra caution in that regard is needed. In their untouched form, they need to be chewed... so use common sense!  

Ground nuts are easily added to many, many foods. Parents can begin introducing them to children 6 months and over. Definitely start with non-allergenic nuts such as almonds, walnuts and hemp. I love hemp hearts. My toddler will eat them with a spoon and I blend them into purees for the baby and in smoothies for the whole family. 

Check out these dehydrated cracker and cookie recipes!

Raw nuts and whole grains all contain varying amounts of vitamins, minerals and protein. Here is the best comparison chart I have found online: http://www.health-alternatives.com/nut-seed-nutrition-chart.html


 So how much protein does baby need?

“Ideally, between 15 and 20 percent of the daily calories an adult consumes should be in the form of protein. For babies, this amount if much higher. About 40 percent of a baby's daily calories should be in the form of protein…  Babies from birth to six months of age need 2.2 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight per day. Babies between the age of six months and one year need 1 gram of protein per kilogram of body weight per day.” The source of this information is at: http://www.livestrong.com/article/536864-do-babies-need-protein/

Oh hempry balls

Ever wonder what to do with small quantities of nuts or leftover trailmix? Try this gluten free recipe: raw walnuts and hemp hearts are ground together to form a buttery base. Add some agave nectar, peanut butter, a touch of carob powder or cinnamon, raisins, sunflower seeds or whatever you have on hand and mix well. Then add puffed millet, rice or quinoa to give these treats their special texture. Roll into balls using your hands and store in the freezer. 
  


My toddler, Lucas, has discovered that when he takes them from the freezer, chances of mom letting him have another snack are better when he brings me one too! Then it is hard for me to say "no!"