Question:
okay, we've talked about the nutrient content of nuts. But I
read/hear sporadically that actually, pregger women should avoid
them to prevent nut allergies in the unborn child. True? I'm
skeptical on this one. Not that I'm really keen on eating nuts
or seeds -- too filling, nowadays -- but I fancy them sometimes.
Answer:
Peanuts definitely. The other nuts and seeds are not as allergenic.
People with a family history of severe food allergies might choose to
avoid all nuts and seeds. Most peole don't have a problem. Although I
have read in the U.K. 'they' recommend that all pregnant women and
children under age 4 (or 5?) avoid peanuts.Pregnant women in the last trimester, and children under three years
old if there is a family history of ezcema, asthma, hayfever or other
allergies.My Ped says I can start peanut butter when DD turns 15 months. I know of
people hwo start much younger, and knowledgable people who wait until
3. We don't have any history of nut allergies in my family. We do have
mold, dust, pollen allergies (but we were formula fed and rasied in a
smoking household) and my sister developed a severe fish allergy as an
adult. We don't eat meat, so a source of protein and fat for her is
attractive. Too many confllicting thoughts! Would it be an ok idea to do cashews or almond butter instead of
peanuts? I don't know why this should be something to be very skeptical about.
We used to think that proteins did not pass the placental barrier and
now we know different. We certainly know that things you eat can end up
in your breastmilk....so if you have a family history of nut allergy,
avoiding eating nuts while nursing is probably also a plan. In my case, both my husband and I have life threatening nut
allergies...so me eating peanuts etc. during pregnancy is an academic
subject. However, given that both of us share the genetic tendency to
severe food allergy and anaphalaxis, giving our children something like
an 80% chance or greater of sharing our food allergy problem, we did
consult a prominent pediatric allergist here in Toronto, and here is
what he told us was the best bet for preventing food allergy in
children.
1. If anyone in your family has severe nut allergy, you may be prudent
to avoid eating peanuts etc. while pregnant or nursing.
2. Breastfeed if you can, and delay solids to 6 months (or later
preferably). In the first year, stay away from common allergens like
strawberries, chocolate, fish, citrus, eggs etc. Go very slowly, with
single ingredient foods, introduced one at a time so you can spot an
allergy and associate it with a specific thing.If you see a hint of a
food allergy, quit that food and don't try again with it for months.
3. If you have any family history of nut allergy, keep nuts completely
out of your children's diets until they are over 3 years of age. If a
child has no food allergy by 3 years, they are very unlikely ever to
develop any.
I followed the advice to the letter (and have seen it since in various
reputable publications about childhood allergies), and thus far, our
oldest is 8, no hints of any food allergy whatsoever, can eat peanut
butter all he wants. Our middle child is 5 1/2, ditto, no food
problems, can eat nuts. Our youngest is 18 months, and we are following
the same pattern.
I am very glad I did what I did, because knowing what my poor mother
went through with me....I would not want to repeat the experience. I
have lived with a life threatening nut allergy all my 42 years, and
believe me, you don't want to wish this on your offspring if you can do
ANYTHING to prevent it.
