Tree Nut Allergy
Tree nuts are edible seeds from various trees, including almonds, walnuts, macadamias, pecans, cashews, and hazelnuts. While these differ from peanuts (which are legumes), a large percentage of those with tree nut allergies will find peanuts to cross-react, making them likely problematic as well. Varying by region, tree nut allergies affect approximately 1-3% of the global population, making them one of the most common and potentially severe food allergies worldwide. Symptoms range from mild skin reactions to life-threatening anaphylaxis, often occurring within minutes of exposure. Tree nut allergies are usually lifelong, with only a small percentage of individuals, approximately 1 in 10, eventually outgrowing the allergy. For those affected, strict avoidance of tree nuts and products that may have come into contact with them is crucial in managing the risk of reactions.
Helpful Tree Nut Allergy Tips
Foods to Eat in Abundance
Fresh fruits and vegetables
Meat, poultry, eggs and seafood
Plant-based proteins
e.g., tofu, beans, lentils
Whole grains
e.g., rice, quinoa, oats
Seeds
e.g., sunflower, pumpkin, chia
Foods to Avoid
All tree nuts
e.g., almonds, walnuts, cashews, hazelnuts
Nut oils
e.g., almond oil, walnut oil
Nut-based flours, butters, and milks
e.g., almond flour, cashew butter, almond milk
Processed foods with "may contain nuts" labels
Sauces and spreads containing nuts
e.g. pesto
Cook Time
5m
6h