"Wendy Marsden" wrote
I've even heard of parents who resent picky eaters LYING to children
about peanuts thinking the kid just doesn't LIKE them and they will like
them if they try them.

No doubt some parents also do the reverse -- tell the kid that some
dessert has peanuts in it just to deter the kid from wanting the dessert.

I just tell the kid the truth. Even a 3-year-old can understand it.