Seedy Oatcakes

Previously I have talked about how healthy nuts and seeds are, high in health fats, protein and fibre. They keep you fuller for longer and balance out your blood sugar. They are also packed with essential vitamins and minerals important for our child’s physical and mental health. There are lots of ways we can incorporate them into our child’s diet. It’s good to add a selection of nuts and seeds in your cooking because they have a different balance of nutrients and antioxidants. Because eating a diverse range of plant foods is beneficial to our child's health.

If you have a nut allergy then seeds are just as nutritious. For recipes being taken to school just add the seeds.

Why don’t you try my Seedy Oatcake Recipe, they make a great snack with houmous.

Ingredients

100g Oats

50g Mixed Seeds

15g Ground Flaxseeds

20g Nut Butter (Almond, Cashew) optional

3tbsp Olive Oil

50ml Warm Water

Optional salt for seasoning

Method

Preheat the oven to 170oC.

Pour the oats in a blender and blitz until they are a coarse crumb.

Pour into a large bowl and add the seeds and nut butter (optional), mix and pour in the olive oiland warm water, continue mixing.

Combine with your hands to form a wet dough and rest for 10 minutes.

Line a baking tray with baking paper, place the gough in the middle and place another sheet of baking paper on topof the dough. Using a rolling pin spread the dough into a thin later.

Remove the top paper and cut out circles using a cookie cutter.

Bake for 20-25 minutes or untill they are lightly brown.

Great served with houmous, cream cheese or mackerel pate

⭐️Health Benefits of nuts and seeds⭐️

⭐️Nuts⭐️

Nuts contain B vitamins, vitamin E and minerals such as iron, selenium, magnesium, zinc, potassium and copper.

 Almonds - Are higher in protein than other nuts and a good source of fibre. Also rich in Vitamins E an important antioxidant that protects cells and supports your immune system. Almonds also support gut health by encouraging the growth of beneficial bacteria. Ground Almonds can be added to cakes, pancakes and waffles.

Pistachios -Contain lots of nutrients including vitamin B6, which is important for nutrient metabolism and immune system. You can add them to cakes or salads

Walnuts - An excellent source of copper and manganese that boosts brain and heart health, delicious in cakes or salads

Cashews - A good source of vitamin K, magnesium and manganese. Important for energy production and brain health. I love adding them to curries or stir-fries.

⭐️Seeds⭐️

Flaxseeds - provide a good amount of protein, fiber, and omega-3 fatty acids. high in B vitamin, Thiamine, which plays a key role in energy metabolism as well as cell function. I always add ground flaxseeds to smoothies, pancakes or waffles.

Chia Seeds - These are high in omega 3 and fibre, they take longer to digest so make you feel fuller for longer and support gut health. Great in smoothies or fruit purées.

Sunflower Seeds - These are really important if you can’t eat eggs, They are rich in magnesium, selenium and vitamin E. Nutrients essential to strengthen and repair brain cells. You could add it to savoury muffins or oat biscuits.

Its important to include nuts and seeds at all stages of parenting.

⭐️Pregnancy⭐️

Healthy fats are essential during pregnancy, they provide slow-burning, long-lasting energy to fuel your body and enhance your baby’s brain development.

⭐️Postnatal Recovery⭐️

Fats are the most important thing that we eat. Our brain is made of fat, you need fat for energy production and hormone production. So it’s important when recovering from pregnancy, rebalancing your hormones and needing more energy than ever for the new baby you must include healthy fats in your diet, a little pot of mixed nuts and seeds are a quick, easy solution.

⭐️Toddlers⭐️

Healthy fats are an essential nutrient for weaning. If your baby doesn’t have a known nut allergy, ground nuts and seeds can be slowly introduced at 6 months. Start off with a small amount of either a ground nut or seed and don’t combine with other foods that trigger an allergic reaction such as eggs, fish or dairy. So you can spot a reaction. Gradually increase and keep offering if there is no reaction. If you would like further advice please DM me.

Adding ground nuts or seeds to your baby’s favourite porridge is a great way of including healthy fats in their diet.

⭐️Children⭐️

Nuts and seeds are important whatever age your child is. They are high in folate which helps the growth of new cells, important for growth spurts. They are high in zinc, essential for immune and skin health. Zinc supports mood, learning, growth and appetite. Consider increasing nuts and seeds if your child has spots or pimples, suffering from frequent infections or decreased appetite and becoming a fussy eater. Ground Flaxseeds are high in protein and fibre and easily added to smoothies, porridge, muffins and flapjacks. If your child suffers from constipation, then introduce it into their daily breakfast and this should help to soften their stool.

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