Diet for Children with a Nut Allergy

The number of children with nut allergies have definitely increased, if not doubled in the past decade.

There is no reasoning to the increase in nut allergy, but it is thought that genetics have some involvement in the allergy. It's also thought that children who are introduced to nuts before their immune system is ready are also more likely to obtain a nut allergy.

There are no one child prone to developing the allergy, but studies have shown the boys are more prone than girls.

Throat tightness, shortness of breath, and hives are the main symptoms of a nut allergy, but nearly 80% of children also experience respiratory and other reactions.

Not all nuts affect children with nut allergies the same. Peanuts actually produce the most allergy-triggering components, but walnuts seem to cause more reactions. The studies show that after peanuts and walnuts, cashews, almonds, pecans, Brazil nuts, hazelnuts, macadamia nuts, pistachios, and pine nuts, follow in line.

Once your child has been diagnosed to have a nut allergy, you want to avoid foods with nuts and peanut proteins.

• cold pressed, expressed, or expelled peanut oil
• ground nuts
• mixed nuts
• Nu-Nuts™ (artificial nuts)
• peanuts
• peanut butter
• peanut flour

There are many foods that contain nut proteins, so you will want to watch the ingredient labels carefully. Carefully read the labels of various baked goods, candies, cereals, ice creams and frozen yogurts, marzipan, and hydrolyzed plant and vegetable proteins, to ensure that what you purchase does not contain nuts or nut proteins.

When shopping for a child with a nut allergy, it's best to remove all foods in your home with nut proteins. If the food is in the pantry, your child may grab it and eat it by mistake, so it's best that everyone try to maintain a nut-free diet.

Please keep in mind that peanuts are more closely related to peas and beans, and are not considered nuts. If you child has been diagnosed with a peanut allergy, he/she may not be allergic to other nuts.

Disclaimer: Please be aware that the advice in this article should in no way replace that of a licensed physician. If you have any questions, please consult your child's pediatrician