Foods To Avoid With A Peanut Allergy

The peanut is a legume and not a true nut. However, the protein structure of the peanut closely resembles that of tree nuts. The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America points out that one third of people with a peanut allergy also are allergic to tree nuts, such as almonds, walnuts and pistachios. The staff of the website, TeensHealth, advises individuals with a peanut allergy to avoid food that may contain peanuts and other nuts as well.

Baked Goods

The only guaranteed way to prevent an allergic reaction is to avoid eating peanuts or tree nuts. However, baked goods like cookies and crackers may not actually contain nuts as an ingredient but may be cross-contaminated with peanut or tree nuts during processing. Read the package label and look for warnings, such as "may contain nuts," "produced on shared equipment with nuts or peanuts" and "produced in a facility that also processes nuts." Avoid eating baked goods unless you know where it was made and exactly what ingredients are in it. To be safe, avoid store-bought or bakery baked goods.

Candy

Avoid candy made by small bakeries or manufacturers because nuts may be an ingredient. Choose products from major candy manufacturers whose labels show if they contain nuts or are processed on shared equipment with nut ingredients. Avoid marzipan, which is a confection made with ground almonds and sugar.

Thai, Chinese and Indonesian Cuisine

Recipes from Asian cultures, particularly Thailand, China and Indonesia, include peanuts or tree nuts. Avoid foods that are prepared with peanut or nut oils. Beware of sauces that may include peanut butter as a thickening agent.

Ice Cream

Avoid ice cream, as well as soft-serve ice cream, custard and frozen yogurt from ice cream parlors. Cross-contamination of shared scoops and dispensing machines used for several flavors poses a high risk. It is safer to buy containers of ice cream from the supermarket because major manufacturers are required to label their products with warnings of nut ingredient content.

Energy Bars, Granola and Muesli

Healthy nutritious snacks, such as energy bars, granola and muesli cereals, contain peanuts, tree nuts and peanut butter. Carefully read the package label before purchasing and consuming a health food product that may contain nuts or be cross-contaminated with nut ingredients. It is safer to make a homemade granola or muesli mix and eliminating nuts from the recipe.