Brazil Nut

Brazil nuts are very high in selenium, a nutrient that is essential but can also cause health problems if consumed in large quantities. The recommended maximum intake of selenium for young children varies by age: the Institute of Medicine lists an upper limit of 60 micrograms per day for 7- to 12-month-old babies and 90 micrograms per day for kids between 1 and 3 years of age. One Brazil nut or 1 teaspoon of Brazil nut butter contains approximately 70-90 micrograms of selenium and when served on occasion, is an excellent way to get all the benefits of this powerful nut without compromising safety.

Brazil nuts are best introduced in small amounts after baby’s first birthday. This is because Brazil nuts are an extremely potent source of selenium, an essential nutrient that can be toxic if consumed too frequently or in high quantities.

Brazil nuts may be available worldwide today, but the large seeds have been eaten by Indigenous peoples for thousands of years in South America. Brazil nuts grow in pods on long-living trees that tower over other plants in the rainforests. In fact, these trees are so tall that their nuts—also known as castanha, juvia, nuez amazónica, and pará—can’t be harvested from their branches. Instead, the nuts are retrieved from their pods once they’ve fallen to the ground.

Yes—in very limited quantities on occasion. While Brazil nuts are packed with nutrients, they contain large amounts of selenium, an essential nutrient that can be toxic if consumed too frequently or in high quantities. Selenium exists in other foods (seafood, meat, dairy, and grains) so consider limiting the serving size to one Brazil nut, and only occasionally.

Worried now? Don’t let the selenium content scare you away from introducing this delicious nut to toddlers. Selenium is an important nutrient and is required to be added to all baby formulas in the United States. Brazil nuts are also loaded with vitamin E, a powerful antioxidant, fiber for healthy digestion, magnesium for cardiovascular and muscle health, and they even contain iron and protein.

★Tip: Like most tree nuts, Brazil nuts can go rancid. Store raw Brazil nuts or open jars of Brazil nut butter in the refrigerator. In the refrigerator or freezer, Brazil nuts can stay good for up to 1 year.

No, Brazil nut allergy is not a common allergen globally. However, Brazil nut allergy is more prevalent in the United Kingdom and Australia. Brazil nuts are in the tree nut family. While only 0.5 to 1.2% of the population is allergic to tree nuts, it is usually life-long: only 9% of children with a tree nut allergy will outgrow it. Although Brazil nut allergy is not especially common, when it does occur, reactions can be severe.

Although an allergy to one tree nut increases risk of allergy to another, keep in mind that being allergic to one nut does not necessarily mean that all nuts need to be removed from the diet. Having as diverse a diet as possible, even within the confines of food allergies, is important for a child’s nutrition and quality of life. If a child has a Brazil nut allergy, work with an allergist to determine if other tree nuts can be safely incorporated into the diet.

For most babies, there is no need to pursue allergy testing before introducing tree nuts into the diet, even if there is a family history of food allergy. However, if baby has severe eczema or has already experienced an allergic reaction, or you suspect baby may be allergic to nuts, make an appointment with a primary care clinician or a pediatric allergist before introducing Brazil nuts at home. Your doctor can help you determine if Brazil nuts can be safely introduced in the home setting, or if supervised introduction in the clinic would be preferable.

When it is time to introduce the nut, offer a small quantity (such as a pinch of finely ground nut or 1/8 teaspoon of smooth Brazil nut butter thinned with breast milk, formula, or water) at first. If there is no adverse reaction, you can increase the quantity over future meals, being careful not to exceed 1 teaspoon.

Yes. Whole nuts, nut pieces, and globs of nut butters are choking hazards for babies and young children. To reduce the risk, prepare and serve Brazil nuts and Brazil nut butter in an age-appropriate way. As always, make sure you create a safe eating environment and stay within an arm’s reach of baby during meals. For more information on choking, visit our section on gagging and choking and familiarize yourself with the list of common choking hazards.

No. Prior to 12 months, the only liquids an infant should receive are breast milk, formula, and if the baby is older than 6 months of age, water in small amounts (less than 2-4 ounces a day) in an open cup.

If, after the first birthday, you’d like to introduce Brazil nut milk as a beverage, you may do so, but only serve on occasion, due to the nut’s high selenium levels. Also, consider that nut milks often lack adequate calories, fat, and protein for a plant-based milk for toddlers (fortified soy or pea milk are more nutritious). See our Milk FAQs to learn more.