Can You Be Vegan With A Nut Allergy?

People following a vegan diet abstain from the consumption of meat, eggs, dairy, and any other animal products. As a result, vegans rely on plant-based foods for their daily source of dietary protein, including peanuts, tree nuts, and nondairy milk (via Live Kindly) While many already view the standard vegan diet as fairly restrictive when it comes to protein, having a nut allergy can make being vegan even more of a challenge. However, that doesn't mean that it's impossible. It just means you'll need to follow a nut-free vegan diet.

People with nut allergies can be allergic to one or more tree nuts, which are often considered a staple of the vegan diet. Almonds, cashews, walnuts, pecans, macadamia nuts, pine nuts, and hazelnuts are all common tree nuts used in vegan cooking. If you have a nut allergy, however, eating them can cause a severe allergic reaction and may even result in anaphylactic shock. That's why it's important to find alternative sources of plant-based protein and steer clear of foods and dishes that may contain tree nuts.

While tree nuts may be a staple of the vegan diet, there are plenty of other nut-free alternatives. For example, seeds are a great substitute for tree nuts (via Insider). Sunflower, pumpkin, sesame, hemp, and chia seeds are healthy fats that contain a ton of protein and can easily be turned into a spread. You can also get your protein from soy products, like tofu and tempeh. Soy products are low in calories and full of healthy fats. They're also a great meat substitute. A single serving of tofu contains around 6 grams of protein.

Coconuts may also be a safe source of vegan protein. Since coconuts are sometimes classified as tree nuts, many people with nut allergies assume that they're also allergic to coconuts, but that's not always the case. In fact, coconut allergies are actually pretty rare. That's why it's a good idea to get tested for a coconut allergy. Coconut is a common ingredient in vegan smoothies, curries, and desserts that is both delicious and packed full of protein.