The Nickel Allergy Diet

Severely allergic individuals may choose to avoid foods that are rich in nickel. Dietary intake of some foods have been shown to aggravate dermatitis especially hand dermatitis.

Before giving up chocolate or one of your favorite foods, contact a dermatologist or allergist specializing in contact dermatitis to see if you would benefit from a low nickel diet.

SIMPLIFIED LOW NICKEL DIET

The following foods typically contain higher amounts of nickel and should be avoided on a low nickel diet:

Grains: Whole wheat bread, multi grain breads, multi grain cereals, wheat bran, wheat germ, whole wheat pasta, oats, oatmeal, buckwheat, seeds, rye, millet

Vegetables: Beans, lentils, peas, soy products (tofu, soy sauce, soy beans) sprouts, brussel sprouts, asparagus, broccoli, cauliflower, spinach, canned vegetables, red kidney beans, chickpeas, cabbage, corn, mushrooms, onions, carrots

Fruits: Canned fruit cocktail, pears, bananas, canned fruits, tomatoes, raisins, rhubarb, dried fruit

Meats: Shellfish, herring, mackerel, tuna, processed meats with fillers or coatings, canned meats and fish

Beverages: Tea, chocolate milk, beer, red wine

OTHER SOURCES OF DIETARY NICKEL TO AVOID:

Chocolate and cocoa powder (especially dark chocolate)
All nuts (walnuts, peanuts, almonds, hazelnuts, soy nuts)
All seeds (sunflower seeds, linseed)
Licorice
Baking powder
Gelatin
Marzipan
Margarine
Commercial salad dressings
Vitamins containing nickel
Canned foods in general
Stainless-steel cooking vessels used for cooking acidic foods
The first quart of tap water drawn from any faucet in the morning.

WAYS TO PREVENT YOUR BODY FROM ABSORBING THE NICKEL YOU EAT

Take a vitamin C supplement with each meal.
Eat a high iron diet

Sharma AD. Relationship between nickel allergy and diet. Indian J Dermatol Venereol Leprol. 2007: 73:307-312.

Zirwas, M, Molenda M. Dietary Nickel as a Cause of Systemic Contact Dermatitis June 2009 JCAD Online

~Did You Know?

Nickel is also found in some medications, vitamins, and herbal remedies.

Updated 10-19-19