PREGNANCY NUTRITION
The dry fruits Indian grandmothers have recommended for generations
Folate, iron, protein and calcium-rich nuts and dried fruits — traditional Indian household wisdom backed by modern nutrient science.
Iron deficiency anaemia is reported in roughly 50% of Indian pregnancies (NFHS-5). Folate, calcium and protein needs all rise significantly during pregnancy. Dry fruits have historically been a culturally trusted way for Indian families to add these nutrients to a varied diet.
Anjeer (dried figs) provides calcium (162mg per 100g) and iron (2.0mg per 100g). Almonds add folate, magnesium, and protein. Dates carry iron and natural sugars for the energy demands of late pregnancy. Walnuts contribute ALA, the plant-based omega-3 precursor relevant to fetal neural development per dietary research.
USDA: anjeer — 162mg calcium, 2.0mg iron per 100g; almonds — 269mg calcium, 3.7mg iron per 100g; dates — 39mg calcium, 1.0mg iron per 100g. ICMR-NIN pregnancy guidelines suggest iron at 27mg/day and calcium at 1000mg/day. A small handful of dry fruits is one of several ways to contribute to these targets within a balanced diet.
Source: USDA FoodData Central, 2024.
Sourcing dry fruits for Indian households since 1939, our K-14 Lajpat Nagar shopfloor serves approximately 1 million Delhi families — including the grandmothers who have been quietly handing down which dry fruits to eat during pregnancy for three generations. Our anjeer is sun-dried, unsulphured; almonds are raw; dates are minimally processed.
Why the brand variable matters
What 85 years of supplying 5M+ Indian families has taught us
For pregnancy nutrition, what is NOT in the food matters as much as what is. Our anjeer is unsulphured (no sulphur dioxide preservative); almonds are raw with no added oil or salt; dates are sun-dried without added glucose syrup.
Single-origin sourcing
California almonds, Kashmir walnuts, Iranian pistachios — traceable to grower co-ops.
Hand-sorted and quality-checked per batch
Hand-sorted and quality-checked at our ISO 22000:2018 certified facility before our shelves.
Unsulphured by default
Sun-dried or oven-dried. No sulphur-dioxide preservatives in our dried fruits.
Nitrogen-flushed and sealed
Nitrogen-flushed packaging prevents nut-oil rancidity and preserves freshness from seal to table.
Shop Premium Dry Fruits
The nutrient picture
What you are actually choosing for
Each card below names a nutrient relevant to this concern, what it does in the body per established research, and which of our dry fruits carry it. Not therapeutic claims — nutrient facts.
Magnesium
Mg
Mineral involved in over 300 enzymatic reactions, including those that support normal insulin signalling per dietary research.
ICMR-NIN Nutrient Requirements 2020; USDA FoodData Central.
Vitamin E
Tocopherol
Antioxidant nutrient. Defends cell membranes against oxidative stress in dietary research.
ICMR-NIN Nutrient Requirements 2020; USDA FoodData Central.
Dietary fibre
Soluble + insoluble
Slows the rate at which carbohydrate-bound glucose enters the bloodstream when consumed alongside a meal, per established dietary research.
ICMR-NIN Nutrient Requirements 2020.
Source: USDA FoodData Central, 2024. Values per 30g serving.
What our customers typically choose
Customers buying with pregnancy nutrition in mind typically pick a combination: 500g anjeer pack, 500g raw almond pack, and 500g of dates (often Kimia or Medjool). The order pattern from our shopfloor is monthly through the second and third trimester, often gifted by the expecting family's elders.
Aggregated, anonymous observation from our K-14 Lajpat Nagar shopfloor and order history. Not testimony from named individuals.
How people actually use these
Suggested daily rhythm
Portion guidance, not medical instruction. The three tiles below reflect when our customers managing this concern most often choose to eat — your own clinician will know how to tune this to you.
With breakfast
5–6 soaked almonds and 1–2 soaked anjeer first thing in the morning. Soaking softens both for easier digestion (relevant in early pregnancy when nausea is common) and is a long-standing North Indian household practice.
The 4pm pause
2–3 dates mid-morning or early afternoon for natural energy. The iron-and-glucose combination is particularly useful when fatigue spikes during pregnancy.
Dessert substitute
A few walnut halves with the evening meal for ALA, the plant omega-3 precursor relevant to fetal neural development per dietary research.
Indicative split based on ICMR-NIN portion guidance for nuts and dried fruits. Individual needs vary by energy expenditure and clinician advice.
These are observational patterns and dietary suggestions, not medical instructions. Consult your treating physician or dietitian for personalised guidance.
Frequently asked questions
What people ask before they buy
Honest, nutrient-first answers. We do not make therapeutic claims; we share dietary facts and serving guidance.
Are dry fruits suitable for someone managing diabetes?
Most tree nuts — almonds, walnuts, pistachios, cashews — are low on the glycemic index (GI 15–32) and contain fibre, protein, and unsaturated fats that slow the rate at which carbohydrate-bound glucose enters the bloodstream when consumed alongside a meal. Dried fruits like raisins and dates are higher GI and should be portioned more carefully. For personalised guidance, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian.
Which dry fruits have the lowest glycemic load for blood-sugar-conscious eating?
By published GI values: almonds (15), walnuts (15), pistachios (28), and cashews (32) are the lowest among commonly available varieties. Macadamias, pecans, and Brazil nuts also fall in the low-GI band. Dates (GI 70), raisins (GI 64), and dried apricots (GI 35) carry more sugar and are best treated as occasional rather than daily.
How many grams of dry fruits per day is reasonable?
ICMR-NIN dietary guidelines suggest around 30g/day of nuts and oilseeds for an average adult — roughly a small handful. We recommend splitting that across the day rather than eating it in one sitting. Individual energy and macronutrient needs vary; speak with your doctor or dietitian for guidance specific to you.
Are dates and raisins okay if I'm watching my blood sugar?
Both are nutritious but carry significantly more sugar per 100g than nuts. If you enjoy them, treat them as a small portion (5–10g) consumed alongside a protein or fat source — for example, two dates with a few walnuts — to slow the absorption rate. Avoid eating dried fruit on an empty stomach if you are glucose-conscious.
Should I soak almonds before eating them?
Soaking is a long-standing Indian household practice, partly cultural and partly digestive. Soaking softens the skin (which contains tannins that some find harder to digest) and can make the nut feel more palatable. From a nutrient standpoint, USDA values do not change meaningfully with soaking. Eat them whichever way you prefer.
Are roasted or salted nuts okay for someone with high blood pressure or diabetes?
Plain roasting (no salt added) does not change the nutritional profile meaningfully. Salted nuts add 200–360mg sodium per 100g — roughly 10–18% of the WHO upper daily limit (2g sodium / 5g salt) per 100g. Our default is unsalted; salted variants are clearly labelled. For BP-mindful eating, we suggest the unsalted line.
What is the best time of day to eat nuts if I am diabetes-mindful?
Distributing across the day generally serves better than a single large portion. A common pattern: a small handful with breakfast or as a mid-morning snack with a glass of water, a few alongside lunch as a fibre/protein boost, and the remainder as an evening pre-dinner nibble. The goal is steady fat-and-fibre intake throughout the day rather than a sugar spike.
Do you sell unsulphured dried fruits?
Yes — unsulphured is our default. Most apricots and other golden-coloured dried fruits in the wider market are treated with sulphur dioxide (a preservative that keeps the fruit looking bright). Our unsulphured line uses sun-dried fruit; the colour will be darker and more natural. Look for the 'unsulphured' label on the product page.
Where do you source from and what is your quality control process?
We have been sourcing dry fruits since 1939 and currently serve 5M+ Indian families through our K-14 Lajpat Nagar shopfloor. Sourcing is single-origin where possible (Mamra almonds from Iran, Mevawala kishmish from Afghanistan, Anjeer from Turkey). Each batch is quality-checked in our FSSAI-licensed facility for moisture, aflatoxin, and microbial counts, then nitrogen-flushed and sealed within 48 hours of arrival to preserve nutrient density.
Sources
Where the numbers on this page come from
Every nutrient figure and reference daily allowance on this page is drawn from established food-science and government nutrition databases. We do not invent numbers.
- ICMR-NIN. Nutrient Requirements for Indians, A Report of the Expert Group, 2020. View report
- USDA. FoodData Central — National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference (almonds, walnuts, pistachios, cashews, raisins, dates). View database
- Atkinson FS, Foster-Powell K, Brand-Miller JC.. International Tables of Glycemic Index and Glycemic Load Values: 2008. Diabetes Care 31(12):2281–83. View paper
- WHO. Healthy Diet — Fact sheet on dietary recommendations for nuts, sugar and sodium intake. View fact sheet
- ICMR. Dietary Guidelines for Indians — A Manual (revised edition). View manual
- FSSAI. Food Safety and Standards (Advertising and Claims) Regulations, 2018 — framework for permissible nutrient and dietary claims. View regulations
- Viguiliouk E et al.. Effect of tree nuts on glycemic control in diabetes: a systematic review and meta-analysis. PLOS ONE 9(7):e103376, 2014. View paper