| Tree nut allergy | 812.000000000000 | Tree nut allergy | Tree nut allergy | T | English | Allergy | Child (0-12 years);Teen (13-18 years) | Body | Immune system | Conditions and diseases | Caregivers
Adult (19+) | NA | | 2014-12-18T05:00:00Z | | Vy Kim, MD, FRCPC;Anna Kasprzak, RN | | | | 8.40000000000000 | 63.1000000000000 | 924.000000000000 | | Health (A-Z) - Conditions | Health A-Z | <p>Find out how to help your child manage an allergy to tree nuts such as almonds, cashews or hazelnuts. </p> | <h2>What is a tree nut allergy?</h2><p>A tree nut allergy occurs when the body reacts to the proteins in one or more tree nuts.</p><p>The tree nuts considered as allergens are almonds, Brazil nuts, cashews, hazelnuts (filberts), macadamia nuts, pecans, pistachio nuts and walnuts. Peanuts are treated as a separate allergen because they are part of the legume family and grow underground.</p>
<h2>If my child has an allergy to one type of tree nut, must they avoid all tree nuts?</h2><p>Yes, if your child is allergic to one type of tree nut, your allergist (a doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating allergies) will recommend that they avoid all tree nuts and peanuts. This is because of the risk of cross-contamination (see below).</p><h2>Can my child eat coconut and nutmeg?</h2><p>Coconut is the seed of a fruit and nutmeg comes from the seeds of a tropical tree. A child who is allergic to tree nuts can usually still eat these foods.</p><h2>Will my child always have a tree nut allergy?</h2><p>Yes, like a <a href="/Article?contentid=809&language=English">peanut allergy</a>, tree nut allergies can be severe and life-long.</p> | <h2>Other names for tree nuts</h2>
<p>Tree nuts can have other names in ingredient lists. Learning these names can help you catch any hidden sources of tree nuts in food.</p>
<p>When buying packaged foods, always check the list of ingredients in the store and again when you bring the product home. It is also a good idea to check the ingredients every time you buy the food in case the recipe has changed. You can also call the manufacturer to ask about any recipe changes.</p>
<p>The following table lists the range of names for tree nuts. Use it when you are grocery shopping or calling food manufacturers.</p>
<table class="akh-table">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Almonds</td>
<td>Anacardium nuts</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Brazil nuts</td>
<td>Cashews</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Hazelnuts (filberts)</td>
<td>Macadamia nuts</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Pecans</td>
<td>Pinon</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Pistachio nuts</td>
<td>Walnuts</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table> | <h2>Key points</h2>
<ul>
<li>Tree nuts include almonds, Brazil nuts, cashews, walnuts, hazelnuts and pecans. Peanuts are treated as a separate allergen. </li>
<li>A tree nut allergy can be severe and life-long. Even if your child is allergic to only one type of tree nut, they will usually need to avoid all others due to the risk of cross-contamination. </li>
<li>Many different products contain tree nuts, including baked goods, curries, egg rolls, cereals, crackers, dressings and nut butters.</li>
<li>To prevent an allergic reaction, always read food product labels, avoid foods if you are not sure of the ingredients and avoid using utensils or containers that might have come in contact with tree nuts. </li>
<li>If your child's diet is limited because of a tree nut allergy, a registered dietitian can offer advice on getting a balanced diet. </li>
</ul> | | | <h2>Possible sources of tree nuts</h2>
<p>Tree nuts are used in a range of dishes, packaged foods and snacks. Below is a list of some of the many food products that can contain tree nuts. </p>
<table class="akh-table">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>African, Chinese, Indonesian, Mexican, Thai and Vietnamese dishes, for example curries, egg rolls or satays</td>
<td>Artificial nuts (peanuts that have been altered to look and taste like almonds, pecans and walnuts), also known as mandelona or Nu-Nuts</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Baked goods and mixes</td>
<td>Cereals and muesli</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Chocolate</td>
<td>Crackers</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Desserts (for example baklava)</td>
<td>Dressings, sauces, gravy</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Marzipan (almond paste)</td>
<td>Natural flavourings and extracts (such as pure almond extract)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Nut butter, meats and pastes</td>
<td>Nut oil, peanut oil</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Tempeh</td>
<td>Til</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Snack foods, such as beer nuts</td>
<td>Spreads (for example cheese or hazelnut spreads)</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table> | | | <h2>Reducing the risk of cross-contamination</h2>
<p>Cross-contamination occurs when a harmless substance comes in contact with a harmful substance such as harmful bacteria or a potential allergen. If the substances mix together, the harmful substance taints the other substance, making it unsafe to eat.</p>
<p>Food allergens can contaminate other foods when, for example, the same containers, utensils or frying pans hold a range of foods.</p>
<p>Bulk food containers pose a high risk of cross-contamination because they are often used for different products.</p>
<p>Be sure to avoid using utensils or containers that may have come in contact with allergy-causing foods and ask about possible cross-contamination when eating out.</p>
<h2>How can my child get the right mix of nutrients if they must avoid tree nuts?</h2>
<p>The main nutrients in tree nuts include protein, omega-3 fats, dietary fibre, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, folate and vitamin E. Your child can still get these nutrients even if they must avoid tree nuts.</p>
<h3>Nutrients in tree nuts that are also in other foods</h3>
<table class="akh-table">
<thead>
<tr><th>Nutrient</th><th>Where to find it</th></tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Protein</td>
<td>Meat, fish, poultry, eggs, cheese, milk, beans, soy</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Omega-3</td>
<td>Flaxseed oil, edamame (soybeans), radish seeds, omega-3 eggs fortified with DHA</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Fibre</td>
<td>Vegetables, fruit, whole grains</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Magnesium</td>
<td>Wheat germ, peas, pumpkin, squash or sesame seeds</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Phosphorus</td>
<td>Wheat germ, rice bran, wheat bran, cheese, beans, sardines, tempeh</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Potassium</td>
<td>Bananas, papaya, sweet potato, leafy green vegetables, milk, yogurt, beans (navy, pinto, black beans), lentils, chickpeas, beef, pork, fish</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Folate</td>
<td>Leafy green vegetables, beans (navy, pinto, kidney, garbanzo), lentils</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Vitamin E</td>
<td>Spinach, red pepper, Swiss chard, wheat germ cereal, egg, almonds, sunflower seeds</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table> | | | | <h2>When to see a dietitian for a tree nut allergy</h2>
<p>If you have removed many foods from your child's diet because of a tree nut allergy, it may be a good idea to speak to a registered dietitian. The dietitian can review the foods your child still eats to decide if they are getting enough nutrients. If necessary, they can also recommend alternative foods that your child can eat safely.</p> | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | <h2>Further information</h2>
<p>Health Canada. <a href="http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/fn-an/alt_formats/pdf/pubs/securit/tree_nuts-noix-eng.pdf" target="_blank">Tree nuts – One of the ten priority food allergens</a></p> | | <img alt="" src="https://assets.aboutkidshealth.ca/AKHAssets/tree_nut_allergy.jpg" style="BORDER:0px solid;" /> | https://assets.aboutkidshealth.ca/AKHAssets/tree_nut_allergy.jpg | | | | | | | Tree nut allergy | | False | | | | | |
