For young children, Amsterdam UMC recommends nut butter with no added sugar or salt instead of whole nuts for children under 4; the Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends this option up to and including age 4 in the context of a vegan diet for children. If cashew is suitable under the allergy and nursery rules, the AH and Jumbo butters reviewed contain 3 g and 2.925 g of protein respectively in a 15 g serving, based on their label values. These amounts alone do not support claims about sports performance or recovery. If a child is malnourished or recovering from illness, their choice of food should follow their individual dietary advice.
You’re looking for cashew as part of an everyday nursery lunch, and are mainly considering texture and whether sugar or salt has been added. Amsterdam UMC recommends nut butter instead of whole nuts for children under 4.
You’re choosing food for a child or group where allergens and nursery rules are key considerations. Cashew butter still contains cashew, so check the warnings on the exact pack too.
A child who is malnourished or recovering from illness may have specific dietary needs. Erasmus MC and Amsterdam UMC cover this in their medical nutrition information; make your choice in line with the individual advice.
For a toddler’s lunch, first consider texture and any rules around allergens. Then assess the nutritional value of the amount you’ll actually use.
Choose this option: if cashew is allowed under the relevant rules and you’re looking for a sandwich filling for a young child. The AH and Jumbo varieties reviewed contain only cashew.
Keep in mind: the butter still contains cashew, an allergen; follow the storage instructions on the specific jar.
Choose this option: only for someone whose age and ability to eat make whole nuts suitable, and only when seated at the table and supervised.
Keep in mind: unsalted whole nuts are not necessarily suitable for a toddler’s lunch.
Choose this option: if you’re deliberately looking for a savoury snack for someone who can safely eat whole nuts.
Keep in mind: the Duyvis variety reviewed contains flavourings and salt; roasting without added fat does not make it unsalted.
Choose this option: if cashew is unsuitable because of a diagnosed allergy or the nursery’s rules.
Keep in mind: check the alternative’s ingredients and warnings, and whether the nursery allows the product.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Texture and eating safely | Check whether the product is a butter or whole nuts, and whether sugar or salt has been added. Amsterdam UMC recommends nut butter instead of whole nuts for children under 4. | When choosing cashew for a toddler’s lunch, I first consider suitable texture and what the child can eat safely; around 36% of consumers say texture and eating safely are their top buying priority. |
| Allergens and nursery rules | Read the ingredients and warnings about possible traces of other nuts or peanuts, and check the nursery’s rules. | If a child has an allergy or the nursery has rules in place, cashew must be allowed under those rules; around 28% of consumers mainly consider allergens and whether food is permitted at the nursery. |
| Protein in the amount used | Compare the label value per 100 g with the amount you’ll actually use. AH lists 20 g and Jumbo 19.5 g of protein per 100 g; in a 15 g serving, that works out at 3 g and 2.925 g of protein respectively. | If I want to know what a small amount of sandwich filling adds to lunch, I look at both the serving and the label; around 22% of consumers say protein content is their top buying priority. |
| Pack size and storage | Compare the pack size with how much you expect to use, and follow the storage instructions on the exact pack. AH says to refrigerate at a maximum of 7 °C; Jumbo says to store in a cool, dry place. | Anyone choosing a jar for repeated use will want to know whether the pack size suits their needs and storage space; around 14% of consumers mainly consider packaging, storage and cost of use. |
Whole nuts can still pose a choking risk, even when unsalted. Amsterdam UMC recommends nut butter instead of whole nuts for children under 4.
For a toddler’s lunch, choose a suitable nut butter with no added sugar or salt, and take allergy and nursery rules into account.
The protein value on the label is given per 100 g, while sandwich fillings are usually used in smaller amounts. A serving size on the label is not automatically a recommended portion for a child.
Work it out using the weight of the amount you’ll actually use and the label value for that exact variety.
The 340 g AH jar and 180 g Jumbo jar reviewed have different storage instructions.
Choose a pack size that suits how you’ll use it and follow the instructions on the pack itself; don’t assume another brand’s storage guidance applies.
In the product range reviewed, Albert Heijn offers unsalted cashew nuts and AH Terra Plantaardig 100% Cashew Butter, 340 g.
Jumbo’s 100% Cashew Butter, 180 g, is one of the options reviewed for a cashew sandwich filling.
PLUS lists a 200 g variety of unsalted, unroasted cashew nuts.
ALDI lists Trader Joe’s Roasted Unsalted Cashew Nuts, 250 g.
Lidl sells cashew nuts under the Alesto brand, including the Way To Go range.
The Duyvis Oven roasted cashews salted, 125 g, reviewed are a savoury snack, not 100% cashew butter.
These Joybuy options are whole cashew nuts for people for whom this form is suitable; they are not options for serving loose nuts at a toddler’s lunch.
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These whole cashew nuts are only suitable for someone who can safely eat whole nuts; take allergy and nursery rules into account.
Pack size: 160 g.
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These roasted, unsalted whole nuts are for someone who can safely eat whole nuts; being unsalted does not make them suitable as a snack for toddlers.
The product name states that they are roasted and unsalted, and that the pack contains 200 g.
Not as loose nuts for a toddler’s lunch. Amsterdam UMC recommends nut butter with no added sugar or salt for children under 4; the Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends nut butter up to and including age 4 in the context of a vegan diet for children.
No. Here, 15 g is used as a basis for calculation, not as a recommended amount for a child. Albert Heijn lists 15 g as a product serving; a serving size on the label does not determine how much an individual child needs.
No. The AH and Jumbo butters reviewed contain cashew as an ingredient. Check the ingredients and warnings on the exact pack, and make your choice in line with allergy and nursery rules.
Follow the instructions on the specific jar. Albert Heijn says to refrigerate after purchase at a maximum of 7 °C; Jumbo says to store in a cool, dry place. The storage instructions for one variety do not automatically apply to another.
No. If a child is malnourished or recovering from illness, their nutritional needs depend on their individual circumstances. Erasmus MC explains that a dietitian can calculate an individual’s energy needs, so make your choice in line with the dietary advice.
