Ask the allergist is a regular feature in our newsletters where Canadian allergists answer your questions! Please note, the allergists featured in this series answer questions on general topics, please talk to your doctor if you have questions about your own health or the health of your child.
This month, we asked Dr. Julia Upton a question about spices and tree nut allergy. With Valentine’s Day around the corner, it’s a perfect time to understand the answer to this question!
Do I have to avoid certain spices, like cinnamon and nutmeg, if I’m allergic to tree nuts?
Cinnamon does not contain tree nuts and is generally safe for people with nut allergies. It is very different than nut protein, as it comes from the bark of the cinnamon tree.
Nutmeg is derived from a seed, and that’s why it is also generally safe for people with nut allergies.
A consideration of which foods are already known to be tolerated can often show that many spices are already in the diet without reaction. Some spice blends contain nuts, so it is important to read labels.
I would like to note that if someone is allergic to a spice, they may be allergic to multiple spices, and should consult an allergist to figure out which other spices they need to avoid.
Learn more
Learn about tree nut allergy, including possible sources of tree nuts, how to avoid them, and what you can do to be allergy-aware.
Learn about tree nut allergy and how the management of it has changed over the years, like now having the ability to eat certain tree nuts.
Dr. Julia Upton is on staff at the Hospital for Sick Children in the Immunology and Allergy Department; and an Associate Professor in the Department of Paediatrics at the University of Toronto. She is on the Board of Directors of the Canadian Society of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, and is a member of our Healthcare Advisory Board.
Please note: Dr. Upton is answering as an individual allergist and her answers do not constitute an official position of her affiliated organizations. Her responses are for informational purposes only and do not constitute specific medical advice, recommendations, diagnosis, or treatment. Please talk to your doctor about any concerns or questions you may have regarding your own health or the health of your child.
Do you have a food allergy-related question you’d like to ask an allergist? If so, send it along to us at info@foodallergycanada.ca.
Tags: ask the allergist, cinnamon, nutmeg, tree nut allergy