Cooking for Those with Nut Allergies

The best way of cooking for those with nut allergies is pretty much the same way that you do with any other kind of allergy...by getting information. Here are a few guidelines that you can use to get started on the process. Keep in mind that these are only guidelines, and as such are meant to help you get started only.

• Be aware of the problem. As with any kind of allergy, the first thing that you need to do is be aware that the problem actually exists. This means that in order for you to actually take any steps to help prevent a bad reaction, you need to first be aware that a problem really exists. Talk with your family and friends, and be sure that you ask then if they have any allergies that you should be aware of.
• Know your nuts. For some reason most people think that a nut allergy only, or usually, refers to peanuts. The truth is that just about all kinds of nuts can cause a reaction to those who have a nut allergy. So this means that you need to keep an eye out for any products that may contain Brazil nuts, walnuts, hazelnuts, almonds, cashews, chestnuts, macadamia nuts, pecans, and frankly anything that simply looks like a nut.
• Inspect your labels. Considering how many foods commonly have some kind of nut involved in making it, you need to know what goes into the foods. This means that at the very least you need to inspect the labels that come with any prepackaged food. If you see anything that even sounds like a nut in the ingredients list, you need to talk to a doctor and see whether it is safe or not to eat that particular item.
• Keep an eye out when eating out. When you go out to eat, it pays to keep an eye out for certain types of foods. Knowing what some of the more common foods are that contain nuts, you will be able to avoid them and thereby avoid them. Some of these foods include baked goods (cookies, pastries, piecrusts, etc.), candies (chocolate, nougat, marzipan, etc.), ice creams, cereals, chili, honey, Asian foods, African, Thai, Indian, Mexican, meat free burgers, and so on. Pay attention to salads, as well, since these may have nuts sprinkled on top or mixed into the house salad dressing.

As with anything medical, you need to keep in mind that any rules or instructions that your doctor gives you should always take precedence. This means that while these guidelines may work in general, for your specific case you should talk to a doctor first. By doing so you will not only get the most accurate information possible, but also ensure that you have a doctor on hand and overseeing your care.