Is coconut a "nut" that triggers nut allergies?
I was going to send my son to school with a granola bar that has coconut in it. His school is nut-free.
Thanks!
Thanks so much!! I had a friend in high school who had a deadly allergy to nuts and seeds, so I am very careful to follow the no nut rule. Her parents had actually been told that she likely would not live past 30 due to the severe nature of her allergies. Fortunately, there is a lot more awareness these days, and she is doing great!
I figured there were enough moms on here with kiddos with allergies or allergies themselves that I could get a good answer :)
A coconut is neither sort of nut, peanut nor a tree nut. If you google Is a coconut a nut you get all sorts of explanations that it's a lot of things but not a nut.
i'm not sure if it's considered a nut or not but i do know that generally people with nut allergies are not triggered by coconuts.
You're good. I have a deadly allergy to tree nuts, and can eat coconut if I liked it. Coconut is a fruit and seed. The classification gets strange, but it's mos definitely not a tree nut.
From http://www.acaai.org/allergist/allergies/Types/food-aller...
Should someone with a tree nut allergy avoid coconut and nutmeg?
Coconut is not a botanical nut; it is classified as a fruit, even though the Food and Drug Administration recognizes coconut as a tree nut. While allergic reactions to coconut have been documented, most people who are allergic to tree nuts can safely eat coconut. If you are allergic to tree nuts, talk to your allergist before adding coconut to your diet.
Nutmeg is a spice that is derived from seeds, not nuts. It may be safely eaten by people with tree nut allergy.
No it is not a nut but can be an allergen all in itself to some.
It's not a nut that triggers nut allergies. As other people have said, some people are allergic to coconut in addition to nuts. But you're safe to send a granola bar with coconut in it.
(my daughter has a peanut allergy and eats granola bars with coconut in them on a regular basis)
Well, since the word "nut" is in the name, some schools might hastily react to that and include it in the list of "nuts" (like they lump peanuts in with almonds, walnuts and pecans, even though peanuts are a legume, not a tree nut). My daughter is severely allergic to tree nuts (not peanuts), but can eat coconut with no problems. My son is allergic to peanuts (not tree nuts), but can also eat coconut with no problems, in fact, it's one of his favorite things!
Actually, of the few kids I know with tree nut allergies, coconuts ARE included in their list of taboo foods.
Sounds strange, doesn't it? Like Marda said, it's not technically a nut! Can you call the school to ask if they include coconut in their policy?
Itinerary would have never crossed my mind. I cannot for the life of me think that it is considered a nut. Just look at loose coco it in a bag. Just my opinion.
I dont think so.Coconut i think will not hurt in granola bars.
Coconut is not a nut. It's in a class all by its self. It's a drupe. LOL I've never heard of drupes. Here's a web site that describes a coconut. It's also a fruit in some regards and a nut in others but it's not a peanut or a tree nut, which is what your son is allergic to.
There is new research saying that there is uncertainty regarding coconut and that it may trigger reactions in some people with nut allergies. People with tree nut (not necessarily peanut) allergies are often told to avoid coconut, especially those specifically allergic to walnuts and hazelnuts, which are most closely related.
I'd ask the school for their policy on coconut. You're probably ok, but the jury is out among allergy specialists.
