Tree nut allergies are one of the more common food allergies among both adults and children. People with peanut or tree nut allergies should avoid the following:
- Nuts (almonds, Brazil, cashew, coconut, hazelnut or filbert, Macadamia, pecan, pine, pistachio and walnuts), also peanuts (although a member of the bean family), seeds, cottonseed meal used in preparation of health and laxative breads or soybean bread.
- Nut butters and any food item with either peanuts or other tree nuts.
- Baked goods, crackers, nut crumbs on cookies, energy bars, granola bars, cake icings or frozen desserts (ice cream, smoothies, and shakes).
- Chocolate and/or other candies containing nuts.
- Salad oils, Arachis oil (it has peanut protein), lard substitutes, margarines made of coconut, soybean, cottonseed or peanut oils (many are). Other tree nut oils are almond, hazelnut, coconut and walnut. (Olive oil is permitted.)
- Mortadella is a luncheon meat made with pistachios, so read all food labels to ensure that either peanuts or tree nuts are not present as an ingredient.
- Prepared foods, marinades and barbecue sauces.
If you have a tree nut allergy be sure to check or ask if a food contains a tree nut, nut products, or was prepared around foods with tree nuts. Check the food label as well, as tree nuts, peanuts, and seeds are often processed on shared equipment. This creates a greater risk of cross-contamination, which will be noted on the food allergen information.
Looking for more information on food allergies? Check with your local county extension agent for more resources.
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