How to Live With an Allergy to Peanuts
Peanuts are one of the most common food allergens, and unfortunately for
sensitive people, more and more peanut products are finding their way into
foods once considered safe. The only way to treat a peanut allergy is to
avoid any food containing peanuts.
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Instructions
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Avoid eating peanuts and all foods that contain peanuts. This includes peanut butter, chocolate bars with peanuts, and nut mixes that contain peanuts.
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Read labels carefully. Peanuts are in a lot of products. Words like "hydrolyzed vegetable protein" or "ground nuts" may indicate peanut products.
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Avoid marzipan, chili and egg rolls unless you know for a fact that they do not contain peanuts. Peanut butter is sometimes used to thicken chili and to seal egg rolls.
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Be careful when eating Chinese and Thai cuisine. Many of these dishes feature peanuts or are cooked in peanut oil.
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Avoid artificial or imitation nuts. They are usually made with peanuts.
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Be careful with baked goods and candy. They often contain peanuts.
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Avoid fumes from cooking with peanuts and avoid handling peanuts if you are severely allergic.
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Add a supplement of vitamin C with bioflavonoids to your diet, 1,000 to 5,000 mg per day in divided doses, or quercetin, 500mg twice daily. These help your body cope with allergens, decrease inflammation and support the immune system.
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Take acidophilus. Use according to product label. It helps digestion by maintaining healthy intestinal flora.
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Use a multienzyme complex to help improve digestion. Use according to product label and take with meals.
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Tips & Warnings
You may want to get tested to see if you are affected by other types of nuts.
Take care when eating soybeans, peas and garbanzo beans. They are from the same family as peanuts, and you may have a sensitivity to them as well. If you have severe reactions, you should get tested before attempting to eat them.
Do not attempt to reintroduce peanuts into your diet if you have experienced a severe reaction. You must avoid them completely. Carry an EpiPen with you when traveling or eating out. (Four lots of this product have been recalled, so check with your provider.)
Avoid peanut oil unless you are certain that it is pure peanut oil, which is usually nonallergenic. Cold-pressed peanut oil or oil that is contaminated with peanut protein may not be safe.
If you have any questions or concerns, contact a physician or other health care professional before engaging in any activity related to health and diet. This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice or treatment.
