Tree Nut Allergy Diet

General guidelines for tree nut allergy

The key to an allergy-free diet is to avoid all foods or products containing the food to which you are allergic. If you have an allergy to tree nuts, you will need to avoid foods that contain tree nuts. To prevent allergic reactions, it is necessary to read food labels.

How to read a label for a tree nut-free diet

Be sure to avoid foods the following nuts and other foods:

  • Almonds

  • Beechnuts

  • Brazil nuts

  • Butternuts

  • Caponata (seafood salad with pine nuts)

  • Cashews

  • Chestnuts

  • Coconut

  • Filberts or hazelnuts

  • Gianduja (mixture of chocolate and toasted nuts in premium or imported chocolate)

  • Gingko nuts

  • Hickory nuts

  • Lychee nuts

  • Macadamia nuts

  • Marzipan/almond paste

  • Natural nut extract

  • Nougat

  • Nu-Nuts artificial nuts

  • Nut butters (for example, cashew or almond butter)

  • Nutella (a hazelnut spread)

  • Nut oil

  • Nut pastes (for example, almond paste)

  • Pecans

  • Pesto with pine nuts

  • Pine nuts (pignolia)

  • Pistachios

  • Praline

  • Walnuts

Also keep in mind:

  • Nu-Nuts artificial nuts are peanuts that have been deflavored and reflavored with a nut-like pecan or walnut.

  • Avoid natural extracts, such as pure almond extract, and natural wintergreen extract.

  • Ethnic foods, commercially-prepared baked goods, and candy can be cross-contaminated with nuts.

  • Tree nuts are being added to an increasing variety of foods, such as barbecue sauces, cereals, crackers, and ice creams.

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