Food Allergies in Classroom

[castleview]

Ok, so my DD6 got her class assignment along with a note about allergies in class. Basically, her classroom is supposed to be free of strawberries, peanuts, nuts and eggs. Eggs will be troublesome for me since I bake a lot of my kids snacks as a means of saving money. I also am not sure if this applies to the lunchroom or classroom only or both. Times are tight and I've resorted to a lot of PB&J sandwiches. Does anyone have suggestions for affordable snacks that won't harm the children with allergies?

I honestly am beside myself. I'm thankful my kids don't have extreme allergies, but my sister had extreme allergies and my parents never expected anyone but her to look out for the food around her. So this is sort of an ethical thing for me too.

I know I'll be getting flamed for the previous paragraph but I genuinely would like some suggestions for allergy free snacks.

 

[Wishing on a star]

I have not dealt with so much with these kinds of allergy restrictions, so I cannot offer any ideas or advice about foods.

But, I just wanted to say that I do agree with how you feel!!!

I can understand severe life threatening allergies, such as peanuts... But, To me, I think that list of restrictions is completely out of line and not appropriate.

 

[ajk912]

I would send a note to the teacher and ask for clarification. My initial reaction would be that would just apply to class parties and snacks that you are sharing..but what you eat at your own desk or spot in the cafeteria, who cares?

Now, I have heard that in-shell-peanuts are never allowed, because the dust that comes off when you crack the shell can be inhaled and cause a reaction, but that's understandable.

 

[lillygator]

that is ridiculous....that's for everyday lunches?

 

[luvmy3]

I would send a note to the teacher and ask for clarification. My initial reaction would be that would just apply to class parties and snacks that you are sharing..but what you eat at your own desk or spot in the cafeteria, who cares?

Now, I have heard that in-shell-peanuts are never allowed, because the dust that comes off when you crack the shell can be inhaled and cause a reaction, but that's understandable.

No, the teacher was most likely talking about any snack in the classroom. The oils from peanuts can get on anything a child touches and still be very dangerous for a child thats allergic.

OP, the only things my kids aren't able to bring to class is foods with nuts. They can bring anything into the cafeteria for lunch, there is a seperate table area for kids with food allergies.
I don't know what I would send in your case, I guess alot of fresh fruit and veggies.

 

[KadysMom]

My DD6 is allergic to Dairy and eggs. I dont expect people to not send food in for their children that she is allergic to because none of her food allergies are airborn.

Peanuts are a different story, because if someone is highly allergic to airborn peanut then there is no reason you should put a child in harms way.

Do the children eat their lunches in the classroom? Because I know in my dd's school, they have areas in the lunchroom that are peanut free and classrooms that are.

I have not heard of making a classroom egg free though unless they are talking about desserts sent in for parties and such. I know that i provide popsicles for my dd so that in case of parties, she has a snack. Most of the time the children ask if they can have a popsicle instead of the cupcakes or whatever. I make sure to send enough for the class, so DD doesnt feel different, but I end up using most of the popsicles and the cupcakes are sent back home with the child who brought them in.

I wish that more people sent in popsicles instead of baked good for children with food allergies.

 

[Wishing on a star]

I too was wondering if this was a courtesy that they were asking of class-wide snacks, etc...

Even if it does apply to these things, it is still WAY too much. If my child were severely allergic, I would not want to trust my childs physical well being on the assumption that every single parent of that classroom will always remember to adhere strictly to these requirements!

 

[Pixie Dust for Me!]

In my son's class, the allergy free issues only pertain to snacks being brought for the entire class to share. As far as lunch goes, the kids with food allergies sit at an "allergent free" table everyday except Friday which is a "free choice" day -- i.e., sit where you want.

So, it's not a big deal to just send a lunch without peanuts one day a week...and then my DS who loves PBJs gets to sit with his really good friend who has severe peanut allergies.

Check with the teacher and clarify. Unfortunately, we have one little girl who is so severely allergic to peanuts that sharing a pencil with someone who has touched a peanut can cause her to have BIG problems. Her parents do a wonderful job of helping her manage things and it's not an issue.

 

[DisneyKT]

This is how it works in my DD school. Last year she had a child with a peanut allergy in her class. No snacks in the classroom that contain peanuts. At lunch they have a peanut free table for the kids with allergies.

 

[castleview]

Hi Everyone,

The kids have a large cafeteria for lunch but the note asks that snacks and lunches be free of the products I mentioned above.

Even though I don't like it, I've heard enough about peanut butter allergies to understand that. I still think a kids should be allowed to bring it if he wants though. It's the eggs that are really getting me. The note said to check labels of any muffins, granola bars, or cereals for the hidden ingredients.

 

[lillygator]

Hi Everyone,

The kids have a large cafeteria for lunch but the note asks that snacks and lunches be free of the products I mentioned above.

Even though I don't like it, I've heard enough about peanut butter allergies to understand that. I still think a kids should be allowed to bring it if he wants though. It's the eggs that are really getting me. The note said to check labels of any muffins, granola bars, or cereals for the hidden ingredients.

if it was for special occasion snacks I could see, but daily lunches? That is a a lot for each family to have to worry about.

 

[luvmy3]

Hi Everyone,

The kids have a large cafeteria for lunch but the note asks that snacks and lunches be free of the products I mentioned above.

Even though I don't like it, I've heard enough about peanut butter allergies to understand that. I still think a kids should be allowed to bring it if he wants though. It's the eggs that are really getting me. The note said to check labels of any muffins, granola bars, or cereals for the hidden ingredients.

Wow, I can't believe they aren't allowing those foods in lunches. If they are not allowing kids to bring that stuff in their own lunches, what are they providing as school lunches. It would seem that their menu would be very limited.

 

[npmommie]

I bake vegan snacks here always. I have lots of good recipes if you want to try some
some of my cookbooks that have great vegan recipes for baked goods are

Vegan with a Vengeance
Vegan Cupcakes take over the World ( and all cupcake cookbook ..LOL)
Vegan Family Favorites

 

[MM27]

I've had kids in my class with all of the items you've mentioned and the only one that had to be completely banned was the peanut butter/peanuts. I had a girl two years ago that had such a severe peanut allergy that she would have a reaction even if someone near her was eating it.

The kids that were allergic to strawberries for example, just couldn't eat them but didn't react if others around them had them. When we had class parties, I made sure that anything those kids got didn't have stawberries in them (fruit juices, snacks, etc.)

 

[amyhughes]

We have had to work around this for a couple of years. I guess I ask b/c if we bring in snacks I don't want anyone to be left out. However this is the list for this year:

Gluten Free
Lactose Free
Peanut Free
Red Dye Free

The eggs one is a new one to me! But, what I usually do is go to our local natural food market. They have products that are snacks but have these elements removed, i.e gluten free crackers, sunflower butter, etc.

Best of luck, I know it can be frustrating!

Does anyone else think the food allergies have been on the rise?

 

[KadysMom]

Hi Everyone,

The kids have a large cafeteria for lunch but the note asks that snacks and lunches be free of the products I mentioned above.

Even though I don't like it, I've heard enough about peanut butter allergies to understand that. I still think a kids should be allowed to bring it if he wants though. It's the eggs that are really getting me. The note said to check labels of any muffins, granola bars, or cereals for the hidden ingredients.

ARE YOU SERIOUS!! Bring in peanuts because he wants to? Even though another child could be seriously injured or could die? I would say something about this but dont want points...

 

[castleview]

I just got off the phone with the principal and feel MUCH better. She said it was hard boiled eggs she was allergic too. She said they wouldn't be too crazy over eggs in products because it's in everything.

She did mention this child had extreme allergies but they had a plan for her if she should be exposed. And they are working on a plan with the school nurse so that kids could bring in PB&J for lunch. I guess they'll just keep them separated. She said the note was just to make people aware for classroom purposes.

Thanks for the support everyone! I honestly thought I'd be yelled at for being insensitive. DD and I will discuss the "no sharing food" stuff before schools starts.

 

[castleview]

ARE YOU SERIOUS!! Bring in peanuts because he wants to? Even though another child could be seriously injured or could die? I would say something about this but dont want points...

Guess I posted too soon. I'm talking about peanut butter in the lunch room. Yes, I do think a kid should be able to bring it in. After talking with the principal, I'm thrilled they are taking measure to accommodate everybody.

 

[Prose]

We are not allowed to bring in any sort of treats for birthdays at all, and can only supply treats for classroom parties that are organized by the school -- Halloween, Valentine's day, etc. Then all treats must be individually wrapped with ingredients listed. We usually opt for the prepackaged Rice Krispy treats, since those are on the list of approved snacks and DD likes them.

For packed lunches, there are no restrictions other than no soda and no fast food.

 

[Mom2Nick]

We have had to work around this for a couple of years. I guess I ask b/c if we bring in snacks I don't want anyone to be left out. However this is the list for this year:

Gluten Free
Lactose Free
Peanut Free
Red Dye Free

The eggs one is a new one to me! But, what I usually do is go to our local natural food market. They have products that are snacks but have these elements removed, i.e gluten free crackers, sunflower butter, etc.

Best of luck, I know it can be frustrating!

Does anyone else think the food allergies have been on the rise?

That's ridiculous. Unless it's a life threatening allergy - then people shodul not have to completely adjust so the children with the allergies can eat everything.

My oldest was on a gluten free diet and I sent in all his own snacks. All I asked was for a list of what was going to be sent in at the parties so I could do my best to have the exact same thing in a GF version available for my child.