Pine Nut

Pine nuts and pine nut butter that have been prepared in an age-appropriate way may be introduced as soon as baby is ready to start solids, which is generally around 6 months of age. Whole pine nuts and pine nut butter are choking hazards for babies, so read our preparation by age section closely before serving.

Pine nuts are the edible seeds of pine cones. Also called pignoli, piñon, and pinyon nuts, they grow throughout the Northern Hemisphere, where there are 18 varieties of pine trees with nuts that are suitable for human consumption. Pine nuts have a creamy texture that is a bit softer than other nuts and seeds, and a buttery, nutty flavor that deepens and becomes more pronounced when the nuts are baked or toasted.

Yes. Pine nuts are full of antioxidants, fats, protein, and minerals that babies need to thrive. They contain B vitamins to power baby’s cell growth, vitamin E to fortify the immune system, vitamin K to boost bone strength, copper to aid iron absorption, and magnesium to support healthy bones and tissues. Pine nuts also contain noteworthy amounts of iron, folate, and zinc, as well as a plant compound called lutein, which is critical for healthy eyes and vision.

★Tip: Like most tree nuts, pine nuts can go rancid. Pine nuts can stay fresh in the refrigerator for up to 2 months and in the freezer for up to 6 months.

No, pine nuts are not a common allergen globally. However, pine nut allergy is more prevalent in Australia. In the world of food allergies, pine nuts are classified as a tree nut (even though they are technically a seed).  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 allergies to pine nuts are relatively rare, the reaction can be severe.

While not an allergy, some raw pine nut varieties can cause "pine nut mouth," which temporarily results in a bitter or metallic taste in the mouth. Pine nut mouth typically begins within 2 days after consumption and can last from a few days to a few weeks.

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 pine 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 pine nuts at home. Your doctor can help you determine if pine 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 mixed into another food) at first. If there is no adverse reaction, you can increase the quantity over future meals.

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 pine nuts and pine 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.

While a high chair can help create a safe eating environment, there are alternative ways for baby to eat safely, such as holding the child on your lap or sitting together on the floor. For more information, see our article on high chairs.

It’s flexible. Generally speaking, bring baby to the table at least once per day between 6 and 7 months of age, twice per day between 8 and 9 months of age, and 3 times per day starting at around 10 months of age. See our sample feeding schedules for details.