S Panchanathan Stores
In this article4 parts
Quick answer
A small handful of mixed dry fruits makes a good school snack: about 15 to 25 g for children aged 4 to 8, and 25 to 30 g for older children.
- Under 5 years: never give whole nuts; chop or powder them, as whole nuts can choke a small child.
- Mix sweet and crunchy: raisins or figs with almonds or cashews.
- Check your school’s rules: some schools are nut-free because of allergies.
How much for each age?
2–4 yrsabout 10 g, nuts powdered or finely chopped
4–8 yrsabout 15 to 25 g, nuts chopped
9 yrs +about 25 to 30 g, whole nuts are fine
These are rough portions for a snack, not a full meal. A child’s main tiffin still needs rice, roti, idli or a sandwich.
Three easy tiffin mixes
Classic mixAlmonds, cashews, raisinsKIDS LIKE IT
Best for: every day; 5 almonds, 4 cashews and a spoon of raisins
Fig and almondLess sweet
Best for: one chopped fig with 5 almonds; filling and full of fibre
Laddu dayNo mess
Best for: one dry fruit laddu (see our no-sugar recipe) wrapped in butter paper
How to pack it safely
Do
- Use a small steel box with a tight lid
- Chop nuts for children under five
- Add a small fruit or cucumber slices for water
Don't
- Give whole nuts or whole raisins to toddlers
- Pack nuts if the school is nut-free
- Send sugar-coated or salted nuts every day
A month of tiffin snacksOne child, school days · 4 of 5 on our site
- Small steel snack boxone-timeIn the shop
Questions people ask
At what age can children eat whole nuts?
Most doctors advise waiting until about five years. Before that, give nuts powdered, as a paste, or very finely chopped.
Are dry fruits better than biscuits for a snack?
Yes, usually. They carry fibre and minerals with natural sugar, while most biscuits are refined flour, sugar and fat.
Can dry fruits go bad in the box?
Not in a day, but keep the box dry and wash it daily. Store the main stock in an airtight jar at home.
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