What Should You Eat If You Have a Nut Allergy?

Anyone who suffers from a nut allergy must completely eliminate the relevant nuts from their diet. Allergies to hazelnuts and walnuts are particularly widespread, but macadamia nuts can also cause allergic reactions. Almonds, pistachios, coconuts, peanuts, cashews, Brazil nuts, pecans, and nutmeg are not considered nuts in the botanical sense, but they can still trigger allergies. In this case, too, the only thing that helps is avoiding the allergen in question.

If you have to avoid certain nuts due to a nut allergy, nutritional advice is recommended. Because the allergen can also be contained in food in a hidden form. A look at the list of ingredients provides information about whether nuts may have been processed in it. Look out for terms such as brittle, marzipan, nuts, nougat, gianduia as well as nut butter, nut pulp, nut oil, raw nut mixture, nut cream, nut preparation, and tree nuts. Nuts that are subject to mandatory labeling include almonds, pistachios, hazelnuts, whale nuts, cashew nuts, pecan nuts, Brazil nuts, macadamia nuts, and Queensland nuts and products made from them.

It is possible that products contain only traces of nuts. This is the case, for example, if the food is produced in the company together with other products containing nuts and an unwanted entry of traces of nuts could not be avoided. Nut allergy sufferers must also avoid these foods, a corresponding note can usually be found under the list of ingredients. However, lane marking is not mandatory.

A nut allergy is expressed, for example, by a tingling, burning sensation on the lips, in the mouth, and on the mucous membranes after the nuts in question have been eaten. Asthma attacks, skin rashes, or gastrointestinal problems are other possible symptoms. If you suspect it, go to an allergist and get yourself examined and given detailed advice.