How to Live With an Allergy to Nuts

Nuts are a very common food allergen, with peanuts being one of the most
common. Some people are allergic to only one type of nut, while others
must avoid all nuts.

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Acidophilus
• Food Enzymes
• Quercetin
• Vitamin C
• Vitamin C

1. Avoid eating all nuts. This includes peanuts, almonds, Brazil nuts, cashew nuts, hazelnuts, pistachios, walnuts and pecan nuts.

2. Be careful when eating coconuts, sesame seeds, poppy seeds, sunflower seeds and pine kernels. Some people with nut allergies are also sensitive to these items. You may want to test your sensitivity to them.

3. Read labels carefully. Peanuts, especially, are in a lot of products.

4. Words like "hydrolyzed vegetable protein" or "ground nuts" may indicate peanut products. Avoid items containing those ingredients unless you check their origin with the manufacturer.

5. Check baked products and candy carefully. Many contain nuts of all varieties.

6. 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.

7. If you have severe allergic reactions to nuts, you should get tested before attempting to eat them.

8. 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.

9. Be careful when eating Chinese and Thai cuisine. Many dishes feature peanuts or are cooked in peanut oil.

10. Avoid other nut oils unless you know for a fact that they are pure oil and nonallergenic.

11. Avoid artificial or imitation nuts. They are usually made with peanuts.

12. Add a supplement of vitamin C with bioflavonoids to your diet, 1,000 to 5,000 mg per day in divided doses. It helps your body cope with allergens and decreases inflammation. Use quercetin, 500mg twice per day. It helps decrease allergic reactions and supports the immune system.

13. Take acidophilus. Use according to product label. It helps digestion by maintaining healthy intestinal flora.

14. Use a multienzyme complex to help improve digestion. Use according to product label and take with meals.

Tips & Warnings

• 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.
• Many people who are allergic to one nut tend to develop allergies to other nuts. To be on the safe side, avoid all nuts unless you are tested for allergies.
• Do not attempt to reintroduce nuts 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 EpiPens and EpiPen Jrs. have been recalled. Check with your provider.)
• 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.

Who Can Help Sponsored

• How to Lose 30+lbs Guaranteed. Try it Free.

on 11/22/2005 People with severe nut allergies need to also avoid skin contact and inhalation of nut particles. Clean surfaces that have contacted nuts (such as tables and counters) with soap and water. Stay away from others who are eating or cooking with nuts, too.