The only treatment for someone with food allergies is to completely avoid the food they are allergic to. Peanut allergy is one of the top 8 food allergies in the United States.
Peanut allergy can be very dangerous. Peanut protein may be in foods that you don’t expect. Peanuts are often found in Asian foods and candy but may also be in chili, soups, baked goods, marzipan and other sweets. When you eat out, clearly explain your allergy to the manager and wait staff, so the food is not cooked or cross-contaminated with peanuts.
When cooking at home, clean counters, utensils and pans well that have had peanuts in or on them. Cooking with peanuts and removing them does not work because the heat causes peanut protein to seep into the food. For some people who are very allergic, even touching something that had peanuts on it that was not well cleaned will cause a small reaction.
US food manufacturers are required to list ingredients by their common names for the top 8 allergenic foods. The top 8 allergenic foods in the United States are eggs, milk, soy, wheat, peanut, tree nuts, fish, and shellfish.
Read labels each time you shop since the ingredients often change without warning. Check and recheck even the “safe” foods you have bought before.
Avoid all foods that are produced on equipment shared with peanuts or other nuts. There is a risk of cross contamination.
Label ingredients which show the presence of peanut protein:
Peanuts
Peanut flower
Mendelonas
Mixed nuts/beer nuts/monkey nuts
Imitation walnuts
Imitation almonds
Hydrolyzed vegetable protein or “groundnuts” (may be made from peanuts)
Peanut protein hydrolysate
Ingredients that may show the presence of peanuts:
Hydrolyzed vegetable protein
Egg rolls
Flavoring, natural or artificial
Nougat
Chili
Chocolate candies
Enchilada sauce
Marzipan
Ground nuts
Ethnic dishes
Most people with a peanut allergy may safely eat peanut oil (sometimes called Arachis oil), since it does not contain a large amount of protein. But they cannot eat cold pressed, expelled or extruded peanut oil-sometimes referred to as gourmet oils. Talk to your doctor to figure out if you should avoid peanut oil.
Foods You Can Eat
Bread
Bread products made without peanuts
Candies
Candy without peanuts or peanut butter
Condiments
All sugars, honey, jam, jelly and syrups, ketchup, mustard, and salad dressings
Desserts
Desserts made without peanut protein
Fats and Oils
All fats and oils, except extruded, cold-pressed or expelled peanut oil
Fruits
All fruits
Meat/Substitutes
All meats, soy nut butter
Milk, Cheese, Dairy
All milk, yogurt, cheese and eggs
Potatoes, Rice, and Pasta
Potatoes, rice, noodles, macaroni and pasta that is not prepared with peanuts
Sauces and Seasonings
All spices and herbs
Soups
Soups without peanuts or peanut butter
Vegetables
Vegetables prepared without peanuts
Foods to Avoid
Breads
Any bread, biscuits, doughnuts, muffins, egg rolls, pancakes, pizzas, etc. with peanuts or peanut butter
Candies
Any candy or candy bar with peanuts or peanut butter or that is made on the same equipment as foods that contain peanuts
Desserts
Any dessert made with peanuts or peanut products (read labels on store-bought products)
Fats and Oils
Extruded, cold-pressed or expelled peanut oil
Cross contaminated oil at restaurant or home where foods that contain peanuts were fried
Fruits
Fruit cake with nuts
Dried fruit with nuts
Meat/Substitutes
Chinese, Thai foods and other Asian foods prepared with peanuts
Peanut and other nut butters
Egg rolls
Peanuts, mandelonas, and tree nuts
Milk, Cheese, Dairy
Any flavored yogurts that contain peanuts or cross contamination with nuts
Potatoes, Rice, and Pasta
Asian noodles cooked with peanuts
Sauces and Seasonings
None
Soups
Soups prepared with peanut butter, some chilies or stews
Condiments
Glazes or marinades, some chili or hot sauces, mole sauces, pesto or salad dressings that contain peanut protein
Vegetables
Deep fried vegetables cross contaminated with peanut protein
Cautions and Tips
You should always have medicines with you to stop a serious allergic reaction.
Peanuts are not true nuts; they are legumes. Some people also must avoid other foods in the legume family (soybeans, peas, and garbanzo (chickpea) beans.
Beware of store-bought nuts. Peanuts, which are de-flavored, re-flavored and pressed, can be sold as imitation almonds, walnuts or other nuts.
Seeds and other products are often processed at the same place as peanuts or tree nuts. If you are unsure and the label doesn’t state this, call the food company to be sure. Examples include M & M® candies or Jelly Belly® jelly beans.
Tips to Prevent an Allergic Reaction
Avoid foods that cause a reaction. Sometimes just touching foods can cause a reaction. Wash hands often.
Read the ingredients lists on food labels to make sure peanuts are not present. Read the list even if you have had the product before. Ingredients may change.
When you travel bring along some of your own foods.
When you eat out, always ask restaurant staff about ingredients in food and how it was prepared. Cooking oils can have allergens.
Recipes
Other Resources
Peanut Allergy Homepage - http://www.peanutallergy.com
Kids with Food Allergies- http://www.kidswithfoodallergies.org (a great source for webinars, recipes, forums, product updates and recalls)
Food Allergy Research and Education www.foodallergy.org (a great resource for managing school, travel and other situations with food allergies).
Books
Batson, Bridget. Jude the Dude: The Peanut Allergy Kid. 2011.
Recob, Amy. The Bugabees. 2009.
Who to Call
If you have more questions, please contact UW Health at one of the phone numbers listed below. You can also visit our website at www.uwhealth.org/nutrition
Nutrition clinics for UW Hospital and Clinics (UWHC) and American Family Children’s Hospital (AFCH) can be reached at: (608) 890-5500.
Nutrition clinics for UW Medical Foundation (UWMF) can be reached at: (608) 287-2770