The majority of nuts, with the exception of peanuts, belong to the classification of foods known as tree nuts. A tree nut allergy is one of the most common food allergies among children and adults affecting 1.2 percent of the United States population, according to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology. For those with allergies, knowing the tree nut foods is important to avoid a potentially fatal reaction. For others, tree nut foods serve as a good source of protein, healthy fats, vitamins and minerals.
Types of Tree Nuts
Some tree nut foods are obvious, such as almond milk, while others contain tree nuts as a hidden ingredient. With the enactment of the Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act of 2004, consumers can determine the tree nut foods. This law requires foods manufactured after January 2006 to identify ingredients in known food allergen groups, including tree nuts. The tree nuts recognized by this U.S. law include almonds, Brazil nuts, cashews, chestnuts, hazelnuts -- also known as filberts -- macadamia nuts, pecans, pine nuts -- also known as pignoli nuts -- walnuts and pistachios. Other food that require disclosure on food labels due to their close affiliation include beechnuts, lychee nuts, ginko, shea nut, butternut, hickory, chinquapin, pili nut and coconut.
Nut Butter
Nut butter describes a spreadable food that spreads like butter but consists of crushed nuts. The most popular, peanut butter, is made from peanuts, classified as a legume which is a plant that produces a pod split into halves. Nut butters made from tree nuts include almond butter, cashew butter, hazelnut butter, pecan butter, walnut butter, pistachio butter and macadamia nut butter. Nut butters contain a high fat content with 7 to 10 g per tbsp, but because the fat is unsaturated it promotes a healthy cardiovascular system by keeping cholesterol levels low, according to the American Heart Association. Nut butters do serve as a good source of protein, providing 2 to 4 g per tbsp.
Nut Milk
Tree nuts can produce a food product known as nut milk. To make nut milk, start with raw tree nuts, whichever variety you prefer, soak them overnight, and then blend them. You can then strain the resulting milky liquid to remove the pulp, producing a smooth milk-like drink. Commercially available nut milks come in a variety of flavors. These milks serve as an alternative to cow's milk for those allergic to the milk protein, intolerant to the milk sugar called lactose, vegetarians preferring to avoid all animal products or anyone looking to reduce saturated fat and cholesterol intake. Similar to cow's milk, nut milks contain protein and calcium.
Hidden Foods
Those who suffer from a tree nut allergy know to stay away from nut butter and nut milk, but many other foods contain tree nuts. Many cereals, crackers and cookies contain tree nuts. Confections, including chocolates and other candies, may also contain tree nuts. Energy bars and granola often contain tree nuts. More hidden sources of tree nuts include flavored coffees, frozen desserts and cold cuts. Marzipan, found in candies and baked goods, is a tree nut food made from almonds. Pesto is a tree nut sauce made from pine nuts.
