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In this thread about cooking for people with allergies the first commenter (rightly, IMHO) suggests splitting up that general effort into more allergy-specific tips. The overall effort might still be worthwile, but as I suffer from the 'fruit/nut' allergy myself, I would like to start this question & answer.

My question: which foods trigger the fruit/nut allergy, rated by severity, and what techniques can you use to reduce the effect? I will be answering my own question as well (in the hope of offering some help), but would prefer answers that I don't know already.

For those that aren't aware of the allergy for nuts and fruits and wondering whether they may have it, here are links to wikipedia on oral allergy syndrome and the Calgary Allergy network (as I find their site useful and will be using it, and my own experience, as a departure point. Note that the allergy may start later in life.

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Are we talking just mainly entrees or are you just generally curious (appetizers, soups, desserts, snacks, drinks)? Also, what about home cooking versus more common ingredients/dishes at restaurants? –  Chad Aug 12 '10 at 2:43
On another note, I think it's going to be hard for non-doctors and people without some or all of these allergies to help out. I hope you'll cross-check anything that anyone recommends just in case their medical knowledge isn't up to snuff - I certainly want to help but also don't want to hurt at all. The bounty reflects these worries. –  Chad Aug 12 '10 at 3:02

2 Answers 2

up vote 2 down vote accepted

From the source (CAN)

Fruit, Vegetable & Nut Allergies Associated with Spring Allergies (due to tree pollen) FRUITS: APPLE family (apple, pear) PLUM family (plum, peach, prune, nectarine, apricot, cherry) KIWI

VEGETABLES: PARSLEY family (carrot, celery, dill, anise, cumin, coriander, caraway) POTATO family (potato, tomato, green pepper)

NUTS: Hazelnut, walnut, almond

LEGUMES: Peas, beans, peanut

SEEDS: Sunflower

Ragweed allergy (which causes hayfever in August and September) can be associated with allergies to raw bananas, and the members of the gourd family (melon, watermelon, honeydew, cantaloupe, zucchini and cucumber).

Grass allergy can be associated with allergies to orange, melon, watermelon, tomato, kiwi, peanut.

Explaining about the allergy and ways of combatting it:



To this, I'd like to add that, in The Netherlands at least, the Santana apple is available as a special anti-allergy apple, and, for me at least, it works!

Also, as a technique, (deep)freezing the food may also offer benefits, or cooking the food in acid(ic) substances.

Other alternatives:


Substitute Raw Vegetables MUSTARD family (cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, watercress, radish GOOSEFOOT family (spinach, swiss chard) COMPOSITE family (green onions)

Substitute Nuts Peanut*, cashew, pistachio, brazil, macadamia, pine nut.

*May occasionally cause Oral Allergy Syndrome.

For me, this list indeed works, as I have a milder version of OAS. The substitue nuts work for me as well (walnut and almonds are terrible to me: the above are fine). When using pine nuts, try to use the European version, as the Chinese one can be horrible (which is a general problem with Chinese pine nuts)

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Tobiasopdenbrouw: do you know to which group soybeans belong to? –  user2954 Jul 26 '11 at 16:30
There are different types of soybeans: white and black for example. White soybeans belong probably to nuts -section. –  Masi Jul 26 '11 at 17:48

I have a number of allergies and have found that certain preparations decrease or increase my reaction - as you mentioned cooking can sometimes decrease the reaction, with the exception of foods cooked with alcohol as the alcohol tends to enhance allergens and release volatile compounds. This problem with especially severe for me as many alcoholic beverages use sulfates as preservatives which also triggers more allergic reactions. I have found that many fresh fruits (especially berries) sold in my local market have been treated with an anti-mold/fungal gas to increase shelf life - this requires a thorough washing or peeling to remove even from the "pre-washed" produce.

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Thanks@ I find your alcohol comment especially interesting. In my experience, during summer (when hayfever hurts), I take allergy medicine. My previous thought always was that alcohol supresses the effect of the allergy medicine, this making my allergies play up - but perhaps what you say is correct: alcohol may be a stimulant independently of taking medicine or not. Is your answer based on personal experience alone, or do you have any backing documentation as well? –  Tobias Op Den Brouw Aug 12 '10 at 7:28

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