Tree Nut Allergy Food List: What to Avoid and Where It Hides
If you or your child has a tree nut allergy, the hardest part is often knowing exactly what counts — and where tree nuts sneak in. Here’s a clear, printable-style list.
The tree nuts to avoid
The most common tree nuts are:
- Almond
- Brazil nut
- Cashew
- Hazelnut (filbert)
- Macadamia nut
- Pecan
- Pine nut (pignolia)
- Pistachio
- Walnut
The FDA also lists some less common ones that may require avoidance: beech nut, butternut, chinquapin, ginkgo, hickory, lychee nut, pili nut, and shea nut. (Many people tolerate some of these; your allergist guides what you specifically need to avoid — tree nut allergies are not one-size-fits-all.)
Where tree nuts hide
Tree nuts turn up in places that aren’t obvious:
- Baked goods & desserts — cakes, cookies, pie crusts, ice cream, gelato
- Candy & spreads — nougat, marzipan, gianduja, praline, chocolate, Nutella-style spreads
- Pesto and sauces — pesto often contains pine nuts or walnuts; mole and some curries use nuts
- Nut oils & flours — almond oil, almond flour, walnut oil
- Cereals, granola, energy bars, and trail mix
- Some deli meats (e.g., mortadella with pistachios) and flavored coffees
Label-reading tips
- Read the “Contains” statement and the full ingredient list — every time, every purchase.
- Take “may contain tree nuts” advisory warnings seriously for a severe allergy.
- Remember recipes change; a safe product can be reformulated. (More in reading food labels like a pro.)
The look-alikes that usually aren’t tree nuts
Two big sources of confusion:
- Coconut — botanically a fruit seed, and as of 2025 the FDA no longer classifies it as a tree nut. Most tree-nut-allergic people tolerate it. (See is coconut a tree nut?)
- Nutmeg — a spice made from a seed, not a tree nut, and generally safe. (See is nutmeg a tree nut?)
Also remember peanuts are legumes, not tree nuts — though the two allergies often overlap (see tree nut vs peanut allergy).
The non-negotiables
If you’ve been diagnosed with a tree nut allergy: carry two epinephrine auto-injectors, have a written action plan, and confirm your specific avoid-list with your allergist.