Nut Allergy: Chestnuts, Pine Nuts and Coconuts

I don't know if any of these are "technically" considered nuts or not, but a friend of mine has a son with a peanut allergy and he was accidentally given a small piece of chestnut to eat and did have an allergic reaction.

I've been allergic to all tree nuts my whole life (I'm 36 now, thanks to many ERs for saving me when those allergies went wrong!), and it basically includes any nut or seed from things that are botanically trees. That includes chestnuts and pine nuts as well as almonds, hazelnuts, cashews, brazil nuts, acorns, and so on. Coconuts come from palm trees, which are actually large grasses, and I'm not allergic to them. Water chestnuts are also not part of trees, and I'm not allergic to them, either. So you may be okay with those.

Watch out for cross-reactions with latex (a tree sap loaded with proteins), bananas (for some reason share a protein with chestnuts), and avocados. I've found that when bananas and avocados are underripe, I get a slight cross-reaction with them. I try not to use too many latex products because of the increased risk of eczema for me. Also be aware that mangos are related to cashews, and stone fruit like peaches, cherries, and apricots are related to almonds, so chewing on the pits of these fruits might trigger a cross-reaction in your child. Buckwheat is a grass seed, but sometimes also triggers cross-reactions in allergic people. Might want to avoid pillows with buckwheat (and certainly nut!) hulls used as filling.

Finally, I haven't tried it, but it looks like shea butter is made from a tree nut harvested commonly in Africa and therefore not all that well known in the US as a food product. I've avoided it like crazy, and you probably should, too, in lotions and such. It even shows up in Puffs Plus tissues. I also noticed an ingredient, ethyl macadamiate, in a sunscreen--it's derived from macadamia nuts. I check all my lotions and makeup labels very carefully now that there's such a strong cachet to "natural" ingredients.

Good luck! I wish that there had been such good labeling on foods and pharmaceuticals when I was a kid as there is now. It's hard, but it can be managed, and there's still a lot of delicious food out there for your daughter. The only thing it might keep her from doing long-term is going vegan, because so much fat and protein in a well-balanced vegan diet is derived from nuts and peanuts.

oh wow, i never thought about those "nuts". i do not know, but have a friend who's child has a nut allergy. i can ask her.

I do not know about the nut extracts, but if I were you I would call the manufacturer and then you can know for sure. But, that topic prompted me to tell you about Jelly Bellies- do not give your child the peanut butter ones and they do have peanut butter in them. I almost made that mistake when we got a bag of mixed jelly bellies and I could smell the PB one. I almost let my son have it, thinking that it was some kind of PB artificial flavoring, but I called the company and they said they have the real deal.

If your child in not allergic to soy (which is good as soy is a legume like a peanut) I don't know why you would avoid other legumes. BTW, peas are a legume so if she's fine with peas then she's probably fine with beans too. Watch her for cantaloupe. It think it is somehow related to the cashew family. It's not a high allergy causing food- I just thought it was weird that my son refused to eat it and when I asked his allergist that's what he said. It will not cause an allergic rxn, so don't take it out completely, just watch to see how she handles it and don't force her to eat it.

I know that having a child with a severe nut allergy is really scary and overwhelming. Luckily, there is an awareness out there so it is very manageable. I just have to say, from personal experience, that there are just some things you cannot control and to not be too h*** o* yourself when it happens. One time my son had a reaction from eating dried apples- turns out some other kids had eaten some too right after eating a PB sandwich. Those things are going to happen, so make sure you ALWAYS, ALWAYS have an epipen and Benadryl (I love the premeasured sticks they have now) with you. We have a little bag we carry them in and if we forget it, we go home and get it or just don't go. I also stash another set at my house, my mom's house and his preschool. It's that important, trust me.

Good luck to you!

http://www.calgaryallergy.ca/Articles/English/treenuthp.htm
"What about seeds, tropical oils, exotic nuts?
Foods such as water chestnut, pine nut (pignolia or pinyon nuts), coconut, nutmeg do not need to be avoided by nut allergic people unless they are also allergic to these foods. However, allergies to these foods are uncommon. Palm oil and tropical oils do not need to be avoided. Seeds, e.g., sesame, sunflower, poppy, mustard, safflower, canola, do not need to be avoided unless you are allergic to these as well."

Seems like pine nuts and water chestnuts are ok unless your child is SPECIFICALLY allergic to them. I would stay away from chestnuts and acorns.

My son has a tree nut allergy as well. It seems it's best to stay away from all of them, but here's a useful link that has helped my with my son.

http://www.faiusa.org/?page=treenuts

Lentils and beans are rarely allergic foods. They are "safe" foods and a very good source of protein. I might wait until the child is older before attempting the coconut. AF

Thanks for this post. I've learned a lot too. My daughter has a severe peanut allergy(she can't even smell it w/out reacting) but interestingly, she is allergic to only some nuts and not others. We found this out the hard way before we knew what was wrong with her. She can't have walnuts, pecans, pine nuts & peanuts (we haven't tried chestnuts) but she is fine with Almonds, Pistachio, Cashews & Macadamia nuts. She is fine with coconuts and all kinds of beans.
We love sunflower seed butter but she won't even come near it for the smell is revolting to her. The rest of the family has switched to the sunflower butter b/c we can't have any peanut product in the house.
Also, note that we have only found one chocolate chip company that is not processed on shared equipment. I'll have to get back to you on the brand.
Regarding the extracts, my daughter had a terrible reaction to a chocolate cake on vacation, that I had tasted first to make sure there was no peanut. The staff told us that they often use nut extracts. We had never suspected that.
Thanks again and good luck. It helps to put this all in perspective and figure out how we're going to feed these kids and keep them safe. :)
Blessings,
C.

There's a pretty good list of botanical relationships here:
www.calgaryallergy.ca/articles/english/botanical.htm

Chestnuts are a tree nut.

Coconuts are a fruit.

Pine nuts are seeds, but there is some cross-reactivity between those and peanuts.

Water chestnuts aren't a tree nut... they're a vegetable.

Now here's what we've done with my tree nut/peanut allergic son: Avoid all tree nuts, whether or not we've had them tested. We weren't too worried about pine nuts 'til he tested positive to pumpkin seeds and sunflower seeds... we now avoid all seeds until we can get them tested. I was hesitant about coconut (gut feeling) so we didn't try it 'til we tested it, and he turned up allergic to that, too. But I list it as a separate allergy rather than lumping it in with tree nuts.

I wouldn't avoid everything in the legume family (peanuts) or any other family except the tree nuts (so much risk of cross-contamination there) unless she starts reacting to other things. I would avoid thinks like picking up nuts & shells. You'll need to check playgrounds & parks, too. You'll also want to look through your personal care products (shampoo, conditioner, lotion, bath gel, etc.) and any cleaning products you use at home. It's a pain, but with a contact/airborn allergy like hers you'll need to be super careful.

If you are really nervous about trying something, get it tested first. Trust your instincts and trust your daughter's instincts, too. Some kids have a remarkable radar for their allergens.

I'm in an amazing allergy group on Yahoo Groups. It's called TerrificKidsWFA... feel free to come join us. I've learned so much there, and the members are very knowledgeable, supportive and friendly.

Best of luck!

Hi Gillian,

I have a friend who is very allergic to nuts as well. She always asks me when I bake if I used almond extract in the baking because she cannot eat it if I did.

There is an excellent article on nut allergies in Time Magazine, March 9th issue, Vol 173, No, 9/2009. It discusses the problem for children at length. It cites a study on oral immumotherapy at Duke University Medical Center that is making strides in retraining the immune system to tolerate nuts. Try Barnes and Noble or the library, it's a must read.

This is going to sound nut "not pun intended" rosted cocanut wil you roast cocanut (sp) it has a very nutty flavor. you can chop it up into little pieces and put it on top of ice cream and what not.

Just found this link - thought it might be of interest?

http://www.babycenter.com/204_herbal-remedy-could-halt-pe...

Allergies vary, so one person's experience is not always the same as somebody else's. From experience with my own kids who are allergic to tree nuts, pine nuts definite are a problem, and chestnuts are tree nuts so we always avoided them, but water chestnuts and coconut haven't ever been a problem for us. We never had any problem with handling acorns, but I kept them away from the walnut shells in the park, just in case. It's tricky keeping them safe without making them neurotic, but teaching them to avoid nuts is like teaching them to recognize and avoid poison ivy--just something you need to know about so you can avoid it. If you haven't already talked with your pediatrician or allergist about these questions, as well as epipens, etc., it would be a good idea to do so, just so you can be comfortable that you know what to do if...

Hi Gillian,

Our 7yo son is also allergic to all nuts. We avoid all nut extracts and flavorings as well, just to be safe. And I would teach her not to touch or pick up nut shells outside. Again, just to be safe.

You do not have to automatically avoid all legumes. Our allergist told us to, but that was because our son tested positive to all nuts, soy and all the (four or so) beans that they tested him for. (P.S. But he has since outgrown most of his allergies and is now only avoiding nuts.) Talk to your allergist first, but I think you could try beans.

The water chestnuts, coconut and pine nuts are all gray areas. Many nut-allergic families do avoid them, but not all. We did when our son was younger. But he has outgrown most of his food allergies so we did recently successfully introduce pine nuts. Haven't tried chestnuts or coconuts yet, but would be open to it if he was interested. (I don't usually cook with these, but would let him try it if I did.) Again, I would recommend you discuss it with your allergist.

There is an on-line support group for parents of kids with food allergies. (www.kidswithfoodallergies.org) They were extremely helpful when I was learning how to manage our son's allergies and trying to figure out what to feed him.

-D.

Gillian, I never saw your original post but felt I needed to respond. My sons are both tree nut and Peanut allergic as well. I had the very same questions as you (even the one about picking up acorns) and one other weird one....what about BBQ being smoked over Hickory wood (since hickory is a nut?? - that one I really don't think is a problem? but just to show I had all the same crazy questions!!)I researched and asked allergist and could never find anything specific about those things. However I think acorns are a seed? But if the other things that look like walnuts are really a type of nut shell I'd be super careful with that. Chestnuts, pine nuts and coconuts are all considered tree nuts, avoid those (for now at least) give her body time to try to outgrow the allergy with NO exposure now then possibly later her body will not react as strongly. (Mine are now 8 and 5 and the allergy has lessened in it's severity but still allergic)water chestnuts - I've wondered about those but again have not gotten a specific answer. No need to expose her to those at this point. As for your question about legumes. My older one had a horrible reaction to chickpea (aka garbanzo beans - found in Hummus and many salads) I was told by our allergist that the chickpea and the peanut are almost identical in their protein make-up. So chances are if they are highly sensitive to peanut, chick pea will have the same reaction. Good luck to you, if you have a question about anything I've written please feel free to contact me! Janet
Edit....oh, for flavorings, if it says "artificial flavoring" that's o.k. but if it says "extract" such as "Almond extract" NO GOOD!! Also we do not ever eat Jelly Belly's (of any flavor) since there is a Peanut Butter one - made with real peanuts - and they are always all mixed together...too big of a risk!!

Hi there,

I am also very allergic to peanuts and mildly allergic to tree nuts. I'm almost positive that water chestnuts and coconut are not actually considered nuts. That being said, I was allergic to coconut along with peanuts/tree nuts from about the time I was 2 to about 10 years old, then one time I tested negative and I've been fine with coconut ever since. I'm completely fine with water chestnuts. I've never tried chestnuts or pine nuts. About lentils/beans, I think they are related because both beans and peanuts fall into the legume category. I'm fine with most beans, however, recently it seems that I've started to develop very minor reactions to things with high concentrations of soy, as well as edamame (soybeans). The only thing I've been able to think of is maybe something having to do with the proteins, as I'm fine with soybean oil. I think overall beans shouldn't be a problem, but if you're concerned you can have her tested at an allergist's office for specific foods like that. Feel free to contact me if you have any other questions! I have been an allergy patient my whole life :) and now work in an allergy office as well.

Nicole

Most children and adults who suffer from food allergies actually have an allergy to the pesticides or other chemicals with which the foodsa re treated. Nuts ahve heavy pesticide saturation levels.... I would lookk into organics and see how she does with those--unless it's anaphylactic and it would be too risky.

I, too am allergic to peanuts--they give me horrible migraines and cause me to throw up...but if I eat organic ones/peanut butter...nothing. Just fine. Same with eggs and other 'allergens'... It was just the pesticides.
Might check it out..?

Blessings!
H.

I just looked at the foodallergy.org site. That's really interesting. So it looks like water chestnuts are fine, I'd avoid coconut to be safe. chestnuts are a nut, so I'd avoid them.

My son is allergic to tree nuts and peanuts as well. When he was tested for tree nuts, one of the nuts tested was coconuts and he was positive to that. I'd stay away from anything with nuts. Peanuts are a legume and therefore related to beans. My son had had green beans before we knew he was allergic to peanuts and did fine with them. However, I don't give him any other beans now just in case. As for picking them up, I have let me son pick up acorns that have fallen and I just wash his hands real good. I'd call the allergist because they should have a list of what exactly you need to stay away from based on the severity of her allergy.

My grandchildren and I have all had great success is curing allergies via NAET. You can also do some research into it via Nambudripad Allergy Research Foundation. Here is a quote from their site:

N.A.R.F. coordinates multi-clinical studies testing the efficacy of NAET® treatments on various allergy-related conditions caused by food allergies, environmental and chemical sensitivities, etc. All studies are double blind clinical trials following NIH research protocol and are conducted by N.A.R.F. Research Associates.

The objective of these research studies is to document the clinical success of NAET® using scientific methods, so that the medical community and insurance companies will recognize NAET® as an effective treatment and accepted for third party reimbursement.

Best wishes,

M.

If you would like to help her with her allergys check out www.naetkids.com
:) its wonderful work that help her overcome these allergys

Gillian - My 4 1/2 year old daughter has severe tree nut and egg allergies, but is not allergic to peanuts. (Peanuts are actually a legume.) You can check on the allergy websites online to see what is on the list of things to avoid. You may be shocked to learn some of the ingredients you need to watch out for. Many nut based ingredients have funny names that you would never recognize.

Be very careful with extracts and nut butters. You can use any nut extract, as long as it says "ARTIFICAL FLAVORING". If it is the actual EXTRACT of the nut (i.e. Real Almond Extract), she will be allergic to it. Also, something that got us one time was Nut Butters. Our daughter had a severe allergic reaction after eating Chicken Korma at an Indian restaurant. We thought is would be safe, because it was simply chicken in a very smooth sauce (no nuts!). We found out later that it was made with Almond Butter. Also, always ASK anyone about cakes, cookies, etc., because they may have added nut extracts to the mix. Many BBQ sauces or Steak sauces may also contain nut flavorings.... And, with a peanut allergy, be careful, because many places (Chinese, etc.) cook with peanut oil.

Lots of restaurants now have special menus for people with allergies, listing what is safe to eat, based on your allergy(s). Always ask, you may be surprised!

The Golden Rule is: READ EVERY LABEL, EVERY TIME... AND CARRY BENADRYL CHEWABLES AND AN EPIPEN JR. EVERYWHERE.... Also, trust your daughter's instints. Even when she was a little baby, my daughter would spit out any egg we gave her. It turned out that she had a severe egg allergy, that we didn't find out about until years later...

Good luck and many blessings on your journey with allergies. It is challenging. But, you will be so proud of your child as they take charge of their health at the youngest of ages. (My daughter will not eat anything without asking if it has nuts or egg in it.) Make it clear to ANYONE whom your child will be with that she is not to eat ANYTHING that you have not already approved. (And, don't leave her with anyone who you can't trust to respect your instructions.) It really helps people respect the severity of the situation when you present the EpiPen and give them a demonstration of how it is used. :-)

God Bless.

My son also is anaphalactic (severely allergic) for tree nuts - meaning we avoid all nuts. However, the other posters are correct - water chestnuts and coconut are not considered nuts. US labeling laws DO now require labeling for coconut, though, so you might check with your doctor on that one. Water chestnuts and nutmeg are not nuts and do not need to be avoided. It is very important to work with a good allergist you trust - they can help you sort out what you do and do not need to avoid. It is very easy to become paranoid and start to avoid everything. (MY son had tested positive for sesame and lemon, but we were able to introduce them back in to his diet because he had been eating them with no problems prior to the test.) And yes, peanut is part of the legume family, so if she does have that allergy, the doctor should let you know whether or not to avoid other beans.

Lastly, I would be careful with suggestions such as the other post about the NAET method - there is no medical support for such "treatments."

A friend runs a bakery called The Nut Free Bakery out of Brookline NH

____@____.com <____@____.com>

I cannot bring up her website info, but she also sells to local restaurants

I can't really answer your question, but I thought you might be interested in a suggestion. If she's not allergic to sunflower seeds you should try Sunbutter. It's made from sunflower seeds in a facility that has NO contact with nuts. You can buy it in the peanut butter section usually on the top shelf. It's REALLY good and completely safe as long as she's not allergic to sunflower seeds.

Good luck!

My son is also allergic to nuts. There is a good article in the newest Time magazine called "Going Nuts Over Nut Allergies" that might provide some help, too.

This is a question that is best posed to an allergist. They know what allergens cross react better than anyone else.

My daughter is also allergic to every nut under the sun. We stay away from anything with the word nut in it, including chestnuts, coconuts, etc. She may be allergic to the ones that fall outside, but I would check with the doctor on that. Does she also have environmental allergies? That could also play into this...good luck!

Hi, Gillian, I am an adult, age 54, who has a severe allergy to pine nuts, sometimes listed as pignoli or pignola. It is frequently used in Italian food and pesto. My first experience with it was in London,after eating a salad, where I only had a stomach ache. No diarrhea. I thought it was caper allergy. Three years later, at a retirement party, I ate a salad of orzo and raw veggies that evidently had pine nuts in it, also. My sinuses swelled, as well as my soft pallate and my esophagus. Before we could get to the car, my stomach was so extended that I had to unzip my shorts. I vomited when we got home. (Watch the progression.) About a month later, we were in Washington, DC. After visiting one of the Smithsonian buildings, we went downstairs to eat lunch. Again, I chose a beautiful salad of shaved raw carrots, parsnips, arugula and pesto dressing. On the first bite, my gums swelled and then the sinuses, soft pallate, etc. We left and, not thinking, threw the salad in the garbage. We began our 20 minute walk back to the Metro station, but it took two hours because I stopped on the Mall many times to throw up and rest, I was having a hard time breathing. When we finally made it to the train station, my bowels began to rumble and I began to pray...(not on the Metro!!) We made it back to our RV, but you can see the worsening progression. I was telling this story at a cookout the next weekend. One of my friends is an allergist who pulled me aside and said to see her in her office on Monday. She tested me for many allergies of which I am positive, but I have chosen over the years not to medicate because I do not "suffer" with anyhting. But the test for pine nuts was the most serious--on a scale of 0-6, 6 being the worst, I am a six. I now carry an epipen, and ask before eating anything. Recently, my cousin and I went to lunch downtown. She said her dressing was the best she had ever eaten on a salad. I was already full, but I dipped my finger in her little serving dish and tasted lightly. Immediately, I had a reaction, so it just gets worse and worse. I have never had severe allergy problems before, so I am convinced that as I get older and my body chemistry changes with menopause, I will have to be on the alert for these changes also and know my body's signals.
Of the above things you have questioned I have not had an experience. I fo know that I cannot eat more than a whole mango at one time. I get a slight swelling in my esophagus. Mango is related to poison ivy, of which I am very allergic. Just don't take anything for granted.

I don't know the answer to your follow-up question, and I didn't see your original post. But, if you need any help with finding convenience foods (ready to cook and eat foods) that are free of all nuts (and other common allergy items) look into the products created by a good friend of mine from a company called Allergaroo. It's Website is

http://www.allergaroo.com

I don't know where you live, but the products are sold in numerous stores accross the country now (you may search for a store near you on the web site) and may also be bought directly from her on the web site.

Good Luck and hopefully your daughter will outgrow the allergy.

Hi Gillian,
My 14 yo is allergic to all tree nuts and peanuts also. She has also had extreme reactions to chick peas(legumes). In response to the extract question. I asked my ped. and he said to avoid all extracts, flavorings,etc. Even things like almond in lotions or shampoos. It's better to be safe then sorry. Have you joined the Food Allergy Network (FAAN) They send email alerts which is extremely helpful.

T.

Hi Gillian!
I apologize for the delayed response. My 7 year old also has a tree nut allergy (but not peanuts) and Yes chestnuts, pine nuts (aka pignoli and pesto) and coconuts are tree nuts. Also watch out for nut extracts (such as almond extract and other such flavorings)...And he doesn't pick up anything just in case. He also has an epi-pen just incase...one at school, one in his backpack, and one in my purse and another in the kitchen (thank goodness we've never had to use it). Ask your allergist about the other legumes since there can be cross reactions with the peanut allergy. Good luck!

great website for food allergies.. foodallergy.org. this came highly recommended by my son's allergist (he is allergic to Milk and eggs) - good luck!