Leaflet Details
| Title | It's All About Legumes |
| Department | Dietetics |
| Author(s) | Dietitians |
| Review Date | August 2025 |
| Next Review | August 2027 |
| Download | A5 Booklet PDF |
| Accessibility Options | Click on the Recite Me button to show our accessibility resources |
Patient Information
INTRODUCTION
Legumes are a family of foods including peas, beans, lentils, soya, peanuts, tamarind, and fenugreek.
Pulses are dried legumes. For example, fresh peas are called legumes, whilst dried peas are called pulses
Some individuals with legume allergy are sensitive to all these foods whilst others will be able to eat many of them and may only have symptoms from one or two types of legumes.
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS THAT COULD OCCUR?
Mild symptoms may include:
- Tummy pain and vomiting
- Itching
- Redness of the skin
- Urticaria (nettle rash or hives), often around the mouth
- Swelling e.g., in the lips
- Cough
Symptoms of severe cases may include:
- Wheeze
- Anaphylaxis (throat swelling/choking, breathing difficulty and collapse)
- Some people may get a rash on skin contact with legumes.
People at risk of severe reactions should always carry preloaded adrenaline (EpiPen / Jext) in order to treat a severe reaction. If you have been told you need an EpiPen / Jext in clinic today, you should have been shown how to use it. Please contact your allergy nurse if you are unsure how to use it. If you use an EpiPen/Jext you must always call an ambulance. You should also carry an antihistamine to treat mild reactions.
AVOIDING LEGUMES
There are many different types of peas and beans in the legume family. These include:
| Peas: |
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| Beans: |
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| Lentils: |
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| Other: |
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If you currently eat any of these foods without problems, you may continue to do so.
LEGUMES MAY BE FOUND IN A WIDE RANGE OF FOODS, INCLUDING:
- Vegan, Vegetarian and gluten free foods (e.g., sausages, burgers, pies)
- Vegetable soups and salads
- Sausages and burgers (may contain pea protein)
- Hummus (contains chickpeas)
- Falafel
- Poppadom’s, dahls, bhajis, dosa and pakoras
- Chinese foods (mange tout and sugar snap peas in stir fries
- Mexican food (e.g., Chili, refried beans)
- Mixed nut snacks or ‘healthy’ snacks
- Sports supplements
- Worcestershire sauce and BBQ sauce
This list is not exhaustive, and food labels must be checked as manufacturers may change ingredients without warning. It is important to check food labels thoroughly even if you are buying a product, you have bought before as recipes do sometimes change.
Only three legumes are amongst the 14 regulated allergens: peanut, soya and lupin. Other legumes are not protected by the labelling laws which means they will NOT be in bold on a food label. The same applies when eating out.
Guar gum, carob and locust bean gum (extracted from carob) are not generally problems for people allergic to legumes. They are chemicals extracted from guar beans and used as thickening and stabilizing agents in food. However, the refining process means they should not trigger the reaction.
Children (or adults) who are sensitive may also have skin reactions to legumes in their dried form used in craft activities e.g., collages using lentils.
KEY MESSAGES:
- Always be vigilant when food is around
- Check food labels
- Be proactive when eating out
- Carry prescribed medication everywhere
- Learn how and when to use your adrenaline auto-injector
- Ensure that asthma is well managed.
ADDITIONAL SUPPORT
The Anaphylaxis Campaign is a national charity that can provide support and information. Contact: The Anaphylaxis Campaign
P.O. Box 275,
Farnborough, Hampshire GU14 6SX
Helpline: 01252 542029
https://www.anaphylaxis.org.uk
USEFUL WEBSITES
The British Dietetic Association
https://www.bda.uk.com
Anaphylaxis Organisation
https://www.anaphylaxis.org.uk
