Tree nut allergies are one of the most common food allergies. Allergy symptoms can range from mild (e.g. a rash) to severe (e.g. anaphylaxis, a potentially life-threatening allergic reaction). In cases of allergic reactions, seek medical help immediately.
If you have an allergy to one of the members of the tree nut family, you are more likely to have allergies to other types of tree nuts. Those with tree nut allergies may be advised to avoid all nuts and also peanuts, since tree nuts are commonly processed with the same equipment as peanuts, peanut butters, seeds, and seed butters.
If you are allergic to tree nuts, always read ingredient labels to see if products contain tree nuts or were processed with the same equipment as tree nuts.
Foods to Avoid if Allergic to Tree Nuts
- Almond (all forms)
- Artifician nut
- Brazil nut
- Beechnut*
- Butternut
- Cashew
- Chestnut
- Chinquapin nut
- Coconut*
- Filbert/Hazelnut
- Gianduja
- Ginkgo nut
- Hickory nut
- Lychee nut
- Macadamia nut
- Marzipan
- Nangai
- Natural nut extract
- Nut butters/paste
- Nut meal/meat
- Nut pieces
- Nut oils
- Pecan
- Pesto
- Pili nut
- Pine nut
- Pistachio
- Praline
- Shea nut
- Walnut
*Many people with tree nut allergies can safely eat coconut. Check with your doctor when deciding about adding or eliminating coconut.
Sources You May Not Expect
- BBQ sauce
- Cereals
- Crackers
- Cookies
- Candy
- Chocolate
- Energy bars
- Flavored coffee
- Frozen desserts
- Marinades
- Nut distillates
- Nut oils
For more information on tree nut allergies, check out:
Did You Know?
The following are not nuts or tree nuts: nutmeg, water chestnuts, and butternut squash.
If you have a tree nut allergy, you may want to avoid natural extracts, such as pure almond extract. Imitation or artificial flavoring are generally safe choices.
