Peanuts and chocolate often go hand in hand, but, this can lead to disastrous results for people allergic to peanuts. The smallest amount of peanut protein can stimulate a deadly reaction. Knowing how to detect peanuts and peanut ingredients can help you avoid a tragedy.
Peanut and Chocolate Allergies
If you are allergic to peanuts, your body responds to a protein that peanuts contain and creates antibodies. The next time you eat something containing peanuts, your immune system floods your body with histamines, setting off a massive allergic response. Your respiratory, cardiovascular and gastrointestinal systems, along with your skin, react. Because chocolate can be made with peanuts or peanut oils, it can cause severe allergic reactions for those who are sensitive. In addition to peanuts, chocolate may have milk, soybeans or corn syrup. Researchers do not know if these ingredients or others are allergen triggers.
What Peanuts Are
Peanuts fall into the legume food group. Tree nuts, such as cashews, walnuts or chestnuts, are not in the peanut class. Other types of tree nuts include almonds and pistachios. Check with your doctor to make sure tree nuts are safe for you to eat. Because a peanut allergy can be severe, even inhaling the scent can cause a severe reaction, according to the University of Maryland Dining Services website.
Foods and Sources
The list of foods that can potentially contain peanuts or their proteins includes cereals, ethnic foods, candy, chili and spaghetti sauce. When you buy baked goods, these also can have the peanut protein. Crackers and chocolates may have traces of the protein. Hydrolyzed plant proteins and vegetable proteins, along with egg rolls, marzipan, frozen yogurt, different flavors of ice cream and nougats also can be impregnated with peanut protein. Nu-Nuts artificial nuts, which are peanuts that have been reflavored with pecan or walnuts, also pose a risk because they still have the peanut protein. Ask family or friends what they use to thicken their spaghetti sauce or chili – some use peanut flour or peanut butter as thickeners. You and your child may be able to eat foods containing peanut oil, as long as it is not cold-pressed, expelled or expressed, according to the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.
Food Labels and Cross-Contamination
Learning to read labels is imperative for peanut allergy sufferers. Look for labeling that indicates a food contains ground nuts; cold-pressed, expressed or expelled peanut oil; or Nu-Nuts artificial nuts. Avoid peanut flour, peanuts and peanut butter. More sources of peanut oil can include peanut butter chips, arachis oil, ground nut oil, peanut extract, flavoring or syrup, imitation walnuts and almonds, nut butters, extracts and flavorings, and Satay sauce, says the University of Maryland Dining Services website. Avoid all surfaces that may have come into contact with peanuts, including pans, utensils and counters.
Symptoms
Symptoms of chocolate intolerance include bloating and gas. You also may develop stomach pain, diarrhea or nausea. You might develop headaches or migraine headaches. If the chocolate contains peanuts or any other peanut ingredients, your allergic symptoms can include wheezing, nasal congestion, an asthma attack, swelling of your lips, tongue, face and throat, hives, rash and itching. You may become dizzy or lightheaded and faint. If the reaction is severe, anaphylactic shock can begin – this is a life-threatening reaction, and you need immediate medical attention.
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