Table of Contents
Pea Protein
One thing that hits close to home as I have studied Plant-Based Meats, is the word of caution I read on the sites of the manufacturers of these meats. What is that caution? If you have not read my other posts on plant based meats, here it is…
A food allergy warning for people with peanut and tree nut allergies.
Why does this hit close to home? I have a family member that has a severe peanut and tree nut allergy. Â
Understanding Allergies
Allergies are hypersensitive reactions of the immune system to substances that are usually harmless. The most common allergens include foods, pollen, pet dander, and certain medications. Food allergies occur when the immune system mistakenly identifies a specific protein as harmful, triggering a range of symptoms that can vary from mild to severe. Common symptoms of food allergies include hives, swelling, abdominal pain, vomiting, and in extreme cases, anaphylaxis – a life-threatening allergic reaction requiring immediate medical attention.
Pea Protein Allergy: Separating Fact from Fiction
Pea protein allergy is a less-studied aspect of pea protein consumption, but it does exist. Individuals with a sensitivity to legumes, particularly peas, may be at risk of developing an allergic reaction when consuming pea protein-based products. However, it’s important to differentiate between true pea protein allergies and other factors that can contribute to adverse reactions.
Cross-Reactivity: Pea protein contains proteins similar to those found in other legumes, such as peanuts, lentils, and chickpeas. This similarity can lead to cross-reactivity, where the immune system responds to proteins in pea protein as if they were allergens from other legumes. Consequently, individuals with legume allergies may be at a higher risk of developing an allergic reaction to pea protein.
Protein Processing: Processing methods used to extract and isolate pea protein can influence its allergenicity. High-heat processing and enzymatic treatments are commonly used to separate protein from other components of the pea. These methods can alter the protein’s structure, potentially reducing its allergenic potential. However, some processing methods may not completely eliminate allergens, posing a risk to sensitive individuals.
Plant-based meats are growing in popularity all over. Even I am eating them. According to mkfa.info, it makes sense because “it offers a plant-based protein alternative for meat- and dairy-free products during a time when people are trying to find new ways to rely less on animal-based products. This protein source is affordable and sustainable, which makes it a smart choice for manufacturers and the environment”.
A lot of people do not realize that peanuts are a legume. Peas are legumes. With plant-based proteins, the pea protein is highly concentrated. Because it is so concentrated, it is thought that this could cause someone with a peanut allergy to have a serious reaction.
Although, for many people pea protein, one of the main components of plant based meats, has health benefits. Healthline states “Pea protein powder is a high-quality, easily digested protein source made from yellow peas. It’s rich in iron, arginine and branched-chain amino acids and offers benefits like improved muscle growth, feelings of fullness and heart health” (1).
Having seen someone have an anaphylactic reaction to peanuts, I think it is very important to take precautions when I am serving plant-based meat in a meal. That is why I am writing this post.
Food allergies are serious business. Not everyone reacts the same way. The question is… how do you know if plant-based meats are safe for you to eat?
This is where I went on another “Sherlock Holmes” adventure. Allergy boards are a great source of information. I read many different articles and Q & A boards to find out the answer to “Should I avoid plant-based meats”.
Here are some of the things I found.
If I have eaten something with pea protein in it, will I have an allergic reaction?
Most allergist I have found are saying that if you have eaten pea protein previously with no allergic reaction then it is more unlikely that you will have a reaction. The best advice that I have read is that they say to review the food you already eat. Read the labels and see if you have already eaten pea protein. But, this also comes with a warning that there may be differences in allergic reactions to regular pea rather than concentrated pea protein so you still need to be cautious.
Is pea protein listed as an allergen on labels?
I have read many food labels and I have not seen pea protein listed as a possible allergen… yet. I have seen pea protein listed as an ingredient in a product as is normal procedure for any product that we purchase. The only thing that I have found in my research is that if pea protein is a component of an ingredient, it may not be required to be labeled.
This is a great example that I found and will paraphrase here. Let’s say you get a pepperoni pizza at the store. Maybe that pepperoni has pea protein as an ingredient. If you were buying the pepperoni sold on its own, the pea protein would be listed in the ingredient list. Now take that same pepperoni, if it is used on a frozen pizza, then the pepperoni would be included by the name “pepperoni” in the list of ingredients. Now here is the kicker… since it is a sub-ingredient, it’s not required to list the pea protein as an ingredient.
Read labels!
Labeling and Regulations: Clear labeling of pea protein-containing products is essential for individuals with allergies. Regulations vary by region, but proper labeling should indicate the presence of pea protein or legume-derived ingredients. Individuals with known allergies should carefully read labels and consult healthcare professionals if uncertain about a product’s suitability.
What does this all mean? Knowing what I know about peanut and tree nut allergies, all precautions should be taken. If you have a food allergy or you know someone who has a food allergy to peanuts, tree nuts and pea proteins, then you should absolutely read labels carefully and avoid any product that contains pea or pea derivatives as an ingredient.
Even though I have added plant-based meats to my meal planning, I am very cautious about serving products that contain pea proteins and other allergens. I do not want to hurt anyone unintentionally.
Are there other options?
All of these warnings begs the question if there are other options for food allergic people. There most definitely are! For my guests that have food allergies, I still offer the traditional animal proteins like hamburgers, steaks, and turkey hot dogs. But I also like to offer grilled salmon, mushrooms (which, by the way, are full of nutrients and a small amount of protein), veggies and other protein sources like shrimp.
I always let people know which of the food items on my “buffet” are potential allergen sources. And…very importantly… I always clean my cooking surface, whether it is my grill or my oven or my stove, between each type of food I cook. Cross-contamination is real. Again, I have seen someone have a severe (I mean sent to the hospital severe) allergic reaction from cross-contamination. Fortunately, it was not from anything I served. Unfortunately, it was at a restaurant and they should know better.
Final Word
I am not here promoting a vegan, vegetarian, pescatarian, or whatever -tarian lifestyle. I am simply offering up my flavors of maintaining a healthy lifestyle and the things I have tried. I like to be able to share the things I have learned – good and bad – to help you along your path to a healthier you. Plant-based meats and plant proteins happen to be a couple of new things I have found and have been excited to share.
But as excited as I am to share with you, I also want to make you aware of the precautions that should be taken. I am not a doctor nor am I an allergist or a food nutritionist. With that said, take time to dig into this and see if adding plant proteins maybe one day a week for your meals make sense.
