Is Pea Allergy Real and Where are Peas Hiding?

Discover how a mom navigated her son’s pea allergy and legume allergy, and learn to recognize hidden sources of these ingredients in healthy foods.

A Surprising Allergy Discovery

Have you ever heard of a pea allergy? I hadn’t either! Growing up in Serbia, green peas were a staple in my diet. My mom often made hearty green pea and meat stews, and they were a key ingredient in many salads.

When my two daughters were babies, one of the first vegetables I introduced into their diet was a mix of carrots and green peas. If you didn’t know, peas are a great source of plant-based protein and are commonly used in healthy snacks, protein powders, meat substitutes, and more.

When my youngest was a baby, can you guess which veggies I introduced first? That’s right—green peas and carrots. But this time, something felt off. Please keep reading to find out how we discovered his severe allergy to green peas, chickpeas and lentils.

​Green Peas as an Allergy Trigger

My son, Andrej, was about 7 or 8 months old when I decided to make him a veggie and chicken purée. I was already cooking peas and carrots for a salad, so I took some from the pot, mixed them with cooked chicken and a few mild spices, and blended everything. I often gave this meal to my older children when they were babies—they loved it, and we had never had any issues.

I put Andrej in his baby chair and started feeding him. At first, he seemed to like the taste, but after the second spoonful, he started refusing it. He also began making a strange noise with his tongue. Since he had always been a picky eater and, up to that point, was exclusively breastfed with the addition of some fruit purées, I assumed he just needed time to get used to the new food.

After about five or six minutes, I noticed redness around his mouth and cheeks. It was summertime, and my husband and older kids were outside playing. Thankfully, my mother-in-law was visiting us. As I watched, the redness on his face started spreading, and hives appeared, and I honestly got scared. I immediately called my mother-in-law over—she’s older and wiser than me—and we decided to stop feeding him immediately.

At that moment, I was utterly puzzled—green peas never even crossed my mind as a potential allergen. My first thought was that the chicken might be the culprit, or perhaps some additives used in it.

Since we had some experience with allergic reactions—my oldest had a cat allergy as a toddler—we always kept allergy medication in our medicine cabinet. We gave Andrej a dose, and the redness gradually faded after some time.

The Shocking Diagnosis: Pea Allergy

The following day, I scheduled an appointment with our pediatrician, and thankfully, she could see us right away. Since Andrej was fine by then, our visit mainly consisted of discussing the ingredients I had used in the purée. Even the pediatrician didn’t initially suspect green peas as the culprit. She referred us to an allergist, and when we met with her and described what had happened, she immediately said, “Oh, this sounds like a pea allergy.”

The allergist performed a skin prick test, confirming that peas were the trigger. She explained that peas, peanuts, beans, and lentils belong to the same legume family and are genetically related, meaning there could be a risk of cross-reactivity with other legumes.

Since Andrej was still very young, she recommended waiting until he was a bit older to test for other legumes. However, she strongly advised conducting a peanut oral food challenge test to rule out a potential peanut allergy. She explained that the test is performed in a hospital setting, where the baby is given increasing amounts of peanut butter every 30 minutes over four hours (or maybe longer, I don’t remember honestly) while being closely monitored for any reactions. 

At first, the idea seemed scary, but the allergist reassured us that they start with minimal amounts and that allergy team professionals carefully supervise the entire process, ensuring immediate care if needed.

We scheduled the first available appointment at UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, and fortunately, the test went well. Andrej showed some minor redness but never refused to take a bite. The allergist concluded that he likely has a mild reaction to peanut butter but recommended introducing it occasionally—such as in peanut butter and jelly sandwiches—to help his immune system adapt over time.

In addition to the skin tests, the allergist ran blood tests, revealing significantly high peas levels. Based on this, she strongly advised avoiding peas in his diet. At that point, we decided to wait until he was older to test for other legumes. She advised us to carry EpiPen everywhere we go if his allergic reaction becomes life-threatening. 

Humus as an Allergy Trigger

Since then, I’ve been cautious about checking labels—even on baby food—to ensure there are no hidden peas, and we managed to keep everything under control. However, it wasn’t until Andrej was around two years old that we discovered he was allergic to chickpeas.

One day, while I was at work, my husband took the kids grocery shopping at Whole Foods. My kids love picking food from the Whole Foods hot bar and eating in the restaurant. My husband hadn’t planned for them to eat there, so he didn’t bring the EpiPen or allergy medication—but, of course, the kids convinced him to stay.

As they settled in, everyone grabbed their favorite foods. My middle one, Lana, who LOVES hummus, started dipping crackers into it. Andrej, wanting to do what his big sister was doing, followed suit and took a bite. Within minutes, he began coughing and vomiting, his face turned red, and his nose started running. Panicked, my husband quickly packed up the kids and rushed home—we live just five minutes away—to get the allergy medication.

Another visit to the allergist, more allergy tests, and the results confirmed high allergy markers for chickpeas and lentils. After researching the latest scientific literature, our allergist found a study indicating that peas, lentils, and chickpeas are common allergy triggers. At the same time, other legumes, such as beans and green beans, may not cause a reaction. 

She suggested that if we were comfortable, we could try introducing small amounts of beans and green beans and carefully observe for any signs of an allergic response.

It took me some time to build up the courage, but eventually, we gave it a try—and to my relief, Andrej had no reaction! This was a huge win, as beans and green beans are an excellent source of plant-based protein, and I was grateful he could still enjoy them.

​Unusual Foods Where You Can Find Peas

By this point, we had gained the knowledge and experience to effectively avoid green peas, chickpeas, and lentils in Andrej’s diet. However, I never wanted to exclude these nutrient-rich foods from the rest of our family’s meals, so I continue to cook them regularly. On those days, I prepare a separate meal for him.

He understands that certain foods can make him sick now that he’s four. Anytime he’s offered something new, he always asks if it’s safe for him to eat. His older sisters, now nine and eight, have also become incredibly mindful. They read food labels and ensure he never accidentally eats any trigger foods.

However, allergens can often hide in foods you’d never expect. One significant one is pea protein. Over the past decade, the perception of healthy eating has shifted significantly, especially with the rise of vegan and plant-based diets. As a result, pea protein has become a popular and inexpensive source of plant-based protein. While it is listed on ingredient labels, it’s not always (or maybe never?) highlighted as a potential allergen. In many cases, it appears grouped with other ingredients, making it easy to overlook—especially for those unfamiliar with its risks.

Unexpected Allergy Triggers: Ice Cream and French Fries

One evening, we were having dinner at a friend’s house. After the meal, she mentioned that she had picked up some ice cream bars from Whole Foods that her kids loved and asked if mine would like some too. I said yes—my kids all love ice cream, especially the chocolate ones she had. Andrej, in particular, has a serious sweet tooth and never says no to ice cream.

As they started eating, Andrej eagerly dug into his treat. However, I noticed he was making that strange noise with his tongue again—something I had seen before. But I didn’t think much of it since he ate without hesitation. Once they finished, the kids ran off to play.

About 10–15 minutes later, my oldest, Teodora, ran to me in a panic. “Mom, Andrej is having an allergic reaction!” she said. I turned to look at him, and sure enough, he had started sneezing, his nose was running, and redness had spread around his mouth and cheeks. We immediately gave him his allergy medication, knowing it usually takes 20–30 minutes to take effect fully, and then started piecing together what could have caused the reaction.

I had already checked the ingredients for dinner—something I always do when we eat outside our home—so the ice cream never even crossed my mind. Seriously, who puts pea protein in ice cream? But just to be sure, I asked my friend if I could check the label on the box. And there it was, listed among the ingredients—pea protein.

One day, my daughter had a friend over, and I wanted to prepare something quick and easy for them to eat. Air-frying chicken nuggets and fries seemed like the perfect solution.

While shopping at Fresh Thyme, I headed to the frozen section to grab some fries. They had various healthier options without additives, and I debated between thin-cut and thick-cut fries, unsure which one her friend would prefer. So, I decided to get both. It never even crossed my mind to check the labels—after all, fries should be potatoes and a little salt, right? When I got home, out of habit, I glanced at the ingredients on the thin-cut fries. And there it was—pea protein added for extra crunch.

Pea Protein Variations and Hidden Sources

These experiences taught me an important lesson: Always read the ingredients list on food labels, even foods you’d never expect to find pea protein. In the case of my son, even a small amount of pea protein can trigger nasal congestion and range of symptoms, and for some children can even lead to an anaphylactic shock. If you suspect a pea allergy, there are several ingredient variations you should watch out for:

• Pea Protein
• Hydrolyzed Pea Protein
• Pea Protein Isolate
• Pea Protein Concentrate
• Textured Pea Protein
• Pea Flour

Other Pea-Derived Ingredients to Watch For

• Pea Fiber
• Pea Starch
• Pea Peptides
• Pisum Sativum (scientific name for peas, sometimes used in ingredients)

Common Foods That May Contain Pea Protein

Pea protein is often added to foods as a plant-based protein source, especially in:

• Meat substitutes (like veggie burgers and plant-based sausages)
• Protein bars and powders
• Dairy-free milks (especially pea milk)
• Ice cream and other dairy-free desserts
• Gluten-free and high-protein pastas
• Snacks like chips, crackers, and even frozen fries

If your child has a pea allergy, it’s essential to read labels carefully and double-check ingredients, especially in “healthy” and plant-based products.

Conclusion: Recognizing Pea Allergy as a Serious Concern

I hope these insights help you find answers if you or your child start experiencing unusual symptoms related to peas and legumes. Although I was always aware of the seriousness of peanut allergies, I had never heard of pea or legume allergies.

What surprised me even more was learning during our allergist visits that peas and peanuts are closely related—and that peanuts aren’t part of the nut family. This made me wonder: If similar proteins in peanuts, peas, and other legumes can trigger immune responses and severe allergic reactions, why are only peanuts widely recognized and carefully monitored as major allergens? It would benefit allergic children significantly to recognize pea and legume allergies on ingredient lists, which would help them avoid a life-threatening reaction. 

👉I’d love to hear from you. Have you ever heard of a pea allergy? Please share in the comments below!