As parents, we are always looking for new ways to maintain entertaining yet healthy food items for our children. Fruits, vegetables, nuts should be a mandatory part of your child’s daily routine.
Speaking of nuts, who doesn’t like them? They can be an amazing snack when eaten flavored or with other ingredients.
Favorite Nut among Them All?
Of course, it’s cashews. With almost 750 thousand metric tons (on a kernel basis) consumed worldwide every year, we can say that cashews are a worldwide favorite for many people! With the New Year starting, many parents have surely added a clause to introduce healthier food items in their meals from an early age.
What better to start with the delectable and luscious cashew?
Now, before you close this tab to buy cashews online, we will talk in detail about cashews, why they are good for your children and a bonus section with 5 delicious cashew recipes that your little ones are bound to enjoy.
So, don’t close, scroll ahead and explore the wonders of cashews.
Benefits of Incorporating Cashews in Your Child’s Diet
Obviously, as parents, you would love for your child to grow happy and healthy. Here are a few benefits of cashews to help you believe that they are a good choice.
Cashews Will Help Your Child Develop
Are fats bad for you? Of course! Are all fats bad for you? NO! In fact, the fats that are found in cashews are so beneficial that they actually promote the healthy growth of your child. Cashews are abundant in monounsaturated fats which have significantly lower cholesterol levels.
Consuming healthy fats will not only keep the BMI under control but also help maintain heart health. Maintaining a healthy heart from a young age will help your child stay away from childhood obesity, diabetes, and fertility issues.
Cashews Provide a Large Part of Daily Nutrition
The daily meals of your children should contain a blend of different nutrients. Cashews can help you get there because a standard recommended serving (28 grams) of cashews consists of:
- Calories 157
- Protein 5 grams
- Fats 12 grams
- Carbs 9 grams
Now, this is a general serving for an adult bearing a healthy weight. For children, you can start feeding ⅛ of the standard serving to avoid any weight gain and digestive distress. For children, cashews cover 36% of the vitamin E requirements, provide them with 4 grams of protein and also provide them with 13% of their daily fiber requirements.
Apart from this, cashews are extremely rich in copper which will not only provide them with healthy blood but also strengthen their bones and joints while activating brainpower. So, if you want your child to remain focused and do well at school, it’s about time you packed some roasted and salted cashews in their lunch pack!
Cashews Will Help Your Child Maintain Healthy Weight
Who isn’t aware of the dreaded results of childhood obesity? Fast food and extremely sugary items have caused children to lose stamina, strength, and a healthy body. Almost 14 million American children are suffering from childhood obesity which not only has a physical effect on your body but also other major illnesses like type 2 diabetes, asthma., sleep apnea, hypertension, and high levels of LDL cholesterol which if you are not aware of – is very harmful to the heart. Fortunately, healthy fats and sufficient minerals will actually burn the undesirable white fat from the body, unclog arteries and make sure that your child is healthy and able to maintain a sound BMI.
Cashews Aid Digestion among Children
Your child can develop a stomach more accepting of foods if it’s strong and able to process food faster. Fortunately, cashews are the king of this department! Almost 40 grams of cashews can help relieve severe constipation among children due to their high fiber content. However, if your child is an infant or a toddler, you can consider giving them a few licks of cashew butter.
Awesome Cashew Dishes for Kids
So far, we think we have done a pretty good job convincing you about the benefits of cashews in your child’s general diet. You are probably considering buying bulk cashews for your child. You can do that after this article.
Seriously, hold up!
We know how picky kids can be when it comes to food. So, instead of just putting a few nuts on their plate every day, why not spice things up with these 5 delicious recipes that will leave your kids wanting more and more of this Brazilian nut!
No-Bake Cashew Cookies
Who doesn’t like cookies? Almost every child has a thing for cookies. These no-bake cashew cookies are a simple treat that can be made within minutes. In fact, since you won’t be going anywhere near an oven, it can actually be a fun way to engage your child in an activity. Teens are welcome to join as well.
Ingredients
- 1 cup cashews
- 20 medium-sized pitted Medjool dates
- Toppings of your choice. We prefer chocolate chips, flavored cashews, chia seeds, cocoa powder, or just anything your child likes
Instructions
Put your cashews and dates in a food processor and blend them until they form nicely textured dough. Once blended into a smooth consistency, you can divide the mixture into 24 balls of the size of a tablespoon.
Have fun by shaping them into a desirable shape and add your favorite toppings. If you want a bit of a crunch, you can start the food processor with only dates and add cashews later on – completely up to you!
Cashew Burgers
Modern-day children have an irresistible and instinctual urge to devour on burgers. And there is nothing wrong with that! Since you are taking your little ones to their favorite burger joint almost every other week (McDonald’s, in our case), having them spend one week with you where you titillate their taste buds to try a new homemade burger can actually be a successful cashew burger party.
Ingredients
- 25 grams of roasted and salted cashews
- 25 grams of white breadcrumbs
- 1 teaspoon chopped thyme
- 25 grams of cheddar cheese
- 75 grams of potato cubes, boiled (preferred sweet potato)
- ½ tablespoon of oil
- ½ red onion, finely chopped
- ½ clove of garlic
- ½ teaspoon honey
- 50 grams of carrots, mushrooms, and leaks
- Flour and oil as required
Instructions
- Put cashews in a food processor and blend them until they are finely chopped.
- Mix breadcrumbs, cheddar cheese, thyme, and cashews in a bowl.
- Fry garlic in a pan and add the other vegetables (except potatoes) until they are soft.
- Add potatoes, honey, and sauté vegetables in the breadcrumb mixture.
- Make 4 round patties, coat them with flour (egg is optional) and fry for a few minutes till they turn golden.
- Serve with mayonnaise spread on buns, with lettuce and ketchup.
Mac and Cheese
Mac and cheese is a child delectable! With the deliciousness of different cheeses and the funk of macaroni, they make an amazing meal full of healthy fats and carbs.
Ingredients
- 1 cup of pre-soaked cashews (you can purchase raw cashews in bulk from the store)
- 4 tablespoons of yeast
- 1 tablespoon of cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon of paprika or red chilies
- 2 teaspoons of onion powder
- 1 teaspoon of garlic powder
- A cup of cold water
- Salt and pepper (be careful with the salt content if you are using roasted and salted cashews)
- Macaroni (or any other shaped pasta)
Instructions
- Blend your cashews, cold water, spices, yeast, and seasoning until everything is formed into a smooth paste.
- Boil pasta as per instructions and drain.
- Put pasta and cashew sauce into the same pot until everything is mixed properly.
- If you love some crunch, top it with mozzarella and bake it under the grill for a couple of minutes.
Cashew Chocolate and Banana Milkshake
If you want to combine all the healthy nutrients in one place then a milkshake is a scrumptious delight. This chocolate cashew and banana shake will be a breakfast special for many kids.
Ingredients
- ½ cup pre-soaked softened cashews
- 2 cups water (or any dairy milk for a much richer consistency)
- 1 banana
- 1 date, pitted
- ¼ teaspoon vanilla essence
- 1 tablespoon of unsweetened cocoa
- A small pinch of sea salt
Instructions
- Blend all the ingredients in the food processor for 30 seconds at a fast speed and 15 seconds on pulse until it reaches a smooth consistency.
- Top it with whipped cream, ice cream, syrup, or anything else your child likes.
Honey Roasted Flavored Cashews
This can be a treat for your kids when they are doing their homework or any other activity to give them a zing of energy and a power boost they need to function better.
Ingredients
- 1 cup roasted and salted cashews
- 2 tablespoons of honey
- 2 tablespoons of maple syrup
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- ¼ teaspoon of cinnamon powder
- 1 teaspoon vanilla essence
- A pinch of kosher salt
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350F
- Combine honey, butter, maple syrup in a pot and melt them on low heat while whisking continuously.
- Add cinnamon, vanilla, and salt
- While it’s hot, mix the cashews in the mixture and coat evenly.
- Spread the mixture in a lined baking tray and bake for 6 minutes on each side until a crust is formed.
Conclusion
Cashews are an amazing treat for children. Not only are they delicious, but they can also provide plenty of nutrients to your body. You can try these delicious recipes for your kids and make them want more of this Brazilian beauty.
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