Peanut Allergy and Growth: How to Plan Nutritional Substitutes

The place of peanuts in the diet

Peanuts and peanut products provide protein, fat, and some vitamins and minerals. They also often appear in snacks, sauces, and dishes. Avoiding peanuts usually has less impact on your overall nutritional structure than avoiding cow's milk or eggs, but you still need to pay attention to snack choices and energy intake.

Ideas for substitutes

• Protein sources: meat, poultry, fish and shellfish (if not allergic), eggs (if not allergic), soy products
• Fat sources: vegetable oils, other nuts and seeds (if not allergic), avocado
• Snack choices: fruit, peanut-free biscuits or cakes, dairy products (if not allergic)
• Bring your own snacks when going out or to gatherings, so you are less likely to go hungry because you cannot eat what is offered

Monitoring and communication

Follow your child health check schedule to regularly measure and plot growth curves. If weight stops increasing or the amount eaten drops, see a doctor promptly. If your child also has multiple food allergies, it is recommended to make a plan under the guidance of a doctor or dietitian. In daily life, parents can teach their child in advance how to politely refuse food shared by others and explain their allergy.

This article is for general information only and not medical advice. Please follow your doctor's instructions for your specific situation.