🧂 Nutmeg
Allergen note
Despite its name, nutmeg is the seed of a tropical tree, not a tree nut, and allergy to it is uncommon. Most children with nut allergies tolerate it, but if your child has one, check with your pediatrician first, and start with a tiny amount.
How to serve
From around 6 months, grate a tiny pinch of nutmeg over mashed sweet potato, pumpkin, oatmeal or plain yogurt. Keep amounts small at every age; from 12 months it can also season family dishes such as baked vegetables, white sauce or rice cooked in milk without added sugar.
Preparation
Grate a whole nutmeg finely just before using, or use plain ground nutmeg from a jar, and stir it into warm, moist food. Use only a pinch, because large amounts of nutmeg can cause vomiting, dizziness and a racing heart, and store the jar, whole nutmegs and the grater out of children's reach.
Texture and choking risk
Finely grated nutmeg blends into food, so the texture of the dish itself is what matters for choking. A whole nutmeg, though, is hard, round and about the size of a large grape, a real choking hazard; never let children play with or mouth one, and supervise meals.
Starting ages are typical guidance for healthy, full-term babies who show signs of readiness. Your paediatrician may advise differently, especially where there is a family history of allergy.
Track first tastes and reactions
Log when your child first tries nutmeg, note any reaction and see it in the allergen tracker.
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