For children under four, Amsterdam UMC recommends nut butter with no added sugar or salt instead of whole nuts. So consider cashew nuts as an ingredient, not as a ready-to-eat snack for toddlers. Then compare the energy per 100 g with the amount you actually use: unsalted or a small portion does not mean a product is low in calories. If cashew is not essential, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre also lists fruit and vegetables as suitable snacks for children.
You want to include cashew in your toddler’s diet, so you’re paying attention to its texture and ingredients. Amsterdam UMC recommends nut butter with no added sugar or salt instead of whole nuts for children under four.
You want to compare energy and ingredients without assuming that an unsalted product or small pack is automatically low in calories. Check the nutrition information per 100 g as well as the amount you actually use.
Your choice depends on allergen information and the rules at the place where your child eats. Check the exact product: unsalted does not mean allergen-free. The NVWA stresses that consumers must be able to access allergen information before buying.
Start with how you’ll serve it to your toddler, then check the energy, allergens and ingredients of the exact product.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Suitable texture | For children under four, Amsterdam UMC recommends nut butter with no added sugar or salt instead of whole nuts. So only consider whole cashews as an ingredient to be prepared. | If I want to give cashew to a young child, I check that it’s suitable to serve before looking at its nutritional value. Around 36% of consumers prioritise texture. |
| Energy and amount used | Compare the energy per 100 g for the exact product. For solid foods, the European Commission sets a maximum of 40 kcal per 100 g for the ‘low energy’ claim; a smaller portion does not change this product requirement. | If I want to compare energy, I use the same unit and the amount that will actually be used. Around 29% of consumers prioritise energy and portion size. |
| Allergens and rules where your child eats | Read the ingredients and allergen information on the current packaging, and ask the childcare provider or school what rules apply. A rule against nuts may mean cashew is not allowed at that setting. | If my child needs to avoid allergens or their childcare provider has rules in place, I check the exact packaging and the rules at that setting. Around 21% of consumers prioritise allergens and rules. |
| Ingredients and salt | Read the ingredients list and declared salt content alongside the energy information. ‘Unsalted’, ‘unroasted’ and ‘no added oil’ describe different properties. | If I’m looking for a simple ingredient list, I want to see which ingredients and additions are listed for the exact product. Around 14% of consumers prioritise ingredients. |
A suitable nutritional profile does not automatically make whole nuts suitable for a young child. Amsterdam UMC highlights the risk of choking and recommends nut butter instead of nuts for children under four.
For toddlers, choose nut butter with no added sugar or salt. Only consider whole nuts as an ingredient that needs to be prepared first.
Preparation involves an extra step before cashew can be used in this form.
The checked unsalted AH and Jumbo products both list 622 kcal per 100 g. Duyvis describes Cashews Original as roasted without added oil, but that alone is no proof that it is low in energy.
Compare energy, ingredients and salt separately, using the same quantity as your basis. For solid foods, the European Commission sets a maximum of 40 kcal per 100 g for the ‘low energy’ claim.
A portion size shown on a pack is not automatically a recommendation for a toddler. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says that what a child can eat between meals depends on their age and sex.
Use a stated portion only to work out the energy content; don’t use it to decide how much to give your child without further consideration.
Allergen information varies between product variants. An NVWA warning about a specific ALDI pack does not automatically apply to every cashew product from that brand.
Check the current ingredients, allergens and any warnings on the exact pack. If there is a product-specific warning, check the stated pack size, barcode and best-before date.
Duyvis describes Cashews Original as oven-roasted without added oil.
The nutrition information for AH Unsalted Cashew Nuts relates to the 170 g product.
The product checked is Jumbo Unsalted Cashew Nuts 200 g.
Lidl has a Dutch product page for unsalted cashew nuts.
ALDI Netherlands lists Trader Joe’s Roasted Unsalted Cashew Nuts 250 g.
PLUS Unsalted, Unroasted Cashew Nuts are listed as a 200 g bag.
These Joybuy products are cashew nuts you can consider as ingredients. For toddlers, the final serving format should follow the advice for young children.
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Suitable to consider as an ingredient, not as a ready-to-eat snack for a toddler.
The product information lists 100% cashew kernels and 604 kcal per 100 g.
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Suitable to consider as an ingredient, not as a ready-to-eat snack for a toddler.
The product information lists cashew nuts as the only ingredient, with 596 kcal and 0.067 g of salt per 100 g. The product title describes the variant as roasted and unsalted.
For children under four, Amsterdam UMC recommends nut butter with no added sugar or salt instead of nuts. The hospital cites the risk of choking, so supervision does not make whole nuts a suitable snack for toddlers.
No. A small portion does not make the product itself low in energy. For solid foods, the European Commission sets a maximum of 40 kcal per 100 g for the ‘low energy’ claim. For ‘reduced energy’, the Commission requires an energy reduction of at least 30% and a statement of the characteristic that makes the reduction possible.
Yes. According to the NVWA, allergen information for prepacked products must appear on the label. For non-prepacked products, the information must be available in another way so that you can make an informed choice before buying.
Follow the instructions on the packaging of the exact product. Albert Heijn recommends storing its unsalted cashew nuts in a cool, dark, dry place and closing the pack securely after use. This is not a shelf-life recommendation for homemade nut butter.
The NVWA warning dated 20 May 2026 concerned Trader Joe’s Unsalted Cashew Nuts, 170 g, with barcode 2003020120930 and best-before date 23-09-2026, due to possible metal fragments. Don’t eat that exact product if you still have it. The warning does not automatically apply to all ALDI cashew nuts.
