Unfortunately most people don't outgrow nut allergies and the best treatment is simply to avoid the nut. This means avoiding the actual offending nut(s), but also avoiding those hidden sources as well.
It is therefore essential to become very familiar with the food label, especially the ingredient list. By reading the ingredient list and learning to identify those hidden sources of nuts, you will be able to quickly identify potential hazardous food items. Many food companies do have statements on their labels when the product could contain even a trace of peanuts or other nuts. Also always check the label each time you use the product. Manufacturers may change recipes, adding different ingredients to the new recipe that may cause a reaction.
To help you figure out the hidden foods that may cause a problem, here is a list of foods that should be avoided:
- Peanut or nut oil and peanut flour
- Peanut and nut butters such as cashew and almond butter
- Mixed nuts, ground nuts, candied peanuts, beer nuts, peanut brittle or chex mix
- Artificial nuts
- African, Chinese, Thai, Asian and other ethnic dishes
- Pesto, an Italian sauce made with nuts
- Marzipan or almond paste
- Nut extracts like almond extracts
- Health food bars, energy bars and sports bars
- All cakes and pastries with unknown ingredients, especially carrot cake, pumpkin cake or pie, and fruit and nut rolls
- Bouillon and Worcestershire sauce
- Praline and nougat candy
- Grain breads, muesli, granola and fruited breakfast cereals
- Vegetarian casseroles prepared with nuts and some veggie burgers or soy burgers
- Prepared salads and salad dressings; gravy mixes
- Candy with nuts such as, M&Ms, Snickers, Hershey bars with nuts, Hershey almond kisses etc.
Some additional tips and suggestions:
- Avoid fried foods, especially in restaurants and fast-food places as they are often made with peanut oil.
- Consult with a dietitian to come up with safe, healthful meals and snacks.
- Use the carry card at the end of the article to always carry a list of foods to watch out for with you.
- Always carry "safe" foods with you for a quick snack that does not need to be checked.
- Become an avid label reader. Check the ingredient list and any processing description such as "this product was manufactured alongside a product that contains peanuts."
- Use the manufacturer's toll-free phone number if you have questions about the ingredients contained the food.
Nut and Peanut Allergy Diet: Foods that Might Contain Nuts:
- Artificial nuts: peanuts that have been de-flavored and re-flavored with a nut flavoring.
- Baked goods: baking mixes, breads, cakes and pastries with unknown ingredients, especially carrot cake, pumpkin cake or pie and fruit and nut rolls.
- Breakfast foods: muesli, breakfast cereals, breakfast or health bars.
- Entrees: Asian foods like satay, pad thai ; Chinese African entrees; vegetarian dishes and chili.
- Salad dressings and sauces: gravy, nut and peanut oils, pesto, prepared sauces, barbecue sauce and Worcestershire sauce.
- Soups: bouillon, soups that use nuts as a thickening agent.
- Sweets: chocolate candies with nuts, desserts, ice cream, marzipan, nougat and pralines.
Examine food labels for these nut and peanut-based ingredients:
- Arachis Bouillon
- Emulsified ingredients
- Food additive 322
- Hydrolyzed vegetable protein
- Lecithins (soy lecithin is okay)
- Mandelonas
Tanya Sussman, MS, RD, LD
Executive Director
Nutrition Services
1611 S. Green Rd, Suite 202
South Euclid, OH 44121
Tel: (216) 381-4541
Fax: (216) 381-2430
Email: nutrition.services@sbcglobal.net
