Need help peanut allergy people

[2littleprincesses28]

DD who is 2 was just diagnosed with peanut allergy. We are trying to learn what is safe and not...I need help!! I have a lot of questions here...any good boks on the topic?

our Dr gave us a small list of some things to avoid on lables one was lectihins or food additive 322...what is this? A lot of things say soy lectithin...is this safe? Dr didn't say we had to avoid soy.

What are some or your trusted foods....I know I have to read labels EVERYTIME but I need a place to start...like ice cream...it;s one of her favorite special treats...I am so full of questions. thanks for all your help if you can think of something important a new learner to the peanut allergy should know...let me knw.

what about made in the same plant as other peanut products?? It seems I can't find peanut free...what does everyone do?

 

[mechurchlady]

Start by reading the FAQs that are stickied. Some people do not care about the remote chance of cross contamination in a plant and others, especially those with severe allergies, do care. I cannot find the site that has tons of info on peanuts. There are a lot of peanut free foods out there.

http://www.askaboutmypeanutallergy.com/weblog/food.html
There are other sites but that one can get you started.

http://www.avoidingmilkprotein.com/otherallergies.htm

Here is one list of items that may be on an ingredient list that contain peanuts.
http://www.kidswithfoodallergies.org/resourcespre.php?id=62

 

[BeckyScott]

Another good first step is to hit a local health food store, find an employee, and explain the situation.

DS has a bunch of food allergies and many of the "health food" brands specifically say "nut free" or "made in a plant free of nuts". That will get you started with her, at least, until you're more comfy in the regular grocery store.

 

[mechurchlady]

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2013132

This is a good start!

http://www.peanutaware.com/school_tips.html

http://www.allergizer.com/50226711/peanutfree_schools_the_debate_goes_on.php

http://www.wbir.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=43534

http://www.newsnet5.com/education/4305177/detail.html

http://nut-freemom.blogspot.com/2008/08/where-are-all-nut-free-schools.html

http://blogs.columbiatribune.com/education/2007/09/peanutfree_school.html

 

[ekatiel]

I'm going to jump in here b/c although I'm pretty new to the disboards, I've been dealing with my DS's food allergies for quite a while now. It's helpful to know the labeling laws. Currently they are as such:

1) If a product contains peanuts (or any other of the top eight allergens) it MUST be labeled in clear language on a package. Manufacturers can accomplish this labeling in one of two ways: 1) They can list "peanuts" in the ingredients 2) The can list peanuts in a "contains" statement underneath the ingredients list. Please note that they DO NOT have to do both. Many manuafactuers chose to do both, but really they only have to do one or the other. So, a label can look like this: "ingredients: corn, natural flavors (from peanuts)" OR like this "ingredients: corn, natural flavors. Contains: Peanuts". The bottom line is-- if it has peanuts in it, it MUST say so somewhere on the label.

2) Manufacturers are NOT required to label for cross contamination. So, if something is made in a facilty with nuts, they DO NOT have to tell you. Some choose to tell you. Others don't. Sometimes you will have to call manufacturers about foods. Chocolate candy is one place where cross contamination is likely. Hershey's and Mar's both have good labeling policies, IMO. If they feel there is a risk of x-contamination, then they will say so under the ingredients list with a "may contains" or "produced in a facilty with" statement. If they do not feel there is a problem, they will NOT put any statement there. So, with Hershey's and Mar's, no news is good news. Wilton (the cake decorating people) are HORRIBLE about labeling for cross contamination. You will need to call about their products. Otherwise, if there's not a cross contamination label, you will need to call.

3) Restaurants are a tough-ie. Most fastfood restaurants post allergen and ingredient info on their website. As far as sit-down places go, Chili's and On the Border both have allergen info on their websites. They generally advise not eating Chinese or Mexican with a nut allergy. There's too much of a language barrier and sometimes mexican restaurants put peanut butter in their beans, even! When you do go out to eat, just make sure to speak to the manager or chef and inform them of your child's food allergies.

It is a steep learning curve at first, but you do get in a groove after a while. Just make sure to read every label, every time. Manufacturers can change their ingredients without notice! Good luck! Oh, and I'm not sure why your do told you to avoid leicthin-- I'd call back and ask about that one-- it sounds kind of fishy to me. Many of those old avoidance lists are not useful anymore b/c of the labeling law I mentioned above. --Katie

 

[2littleprincesses28]

Thanks everyone....it really helps knowing we are not alone and that kids/people are able to live "normal" lives with this allergy! keep the info coming....I am a sponge right now ready to try and soak up as much as I can!! anyone know about good books on this subject??

 

[Selket]

The discussion boards at this website were what I depended to help me figure it all out: http://www.peanutallergy.com

At the top of the webpage on that site there is a link to their forums. There is a lot of helpful info on that site. You will discover that there are many "gray" areas on products. Usually if I want to know if something is safe - I look at the label of the item, call the manufacturer if I have questions - and/or look at the company website for allergen info. I will also go to their discussion forum and do a search for other's experiences with that product.

Like what ekatiel said - some companies are known for how WELL they label and some companies are known for being horrible about it. The discussion boards I mentioned are how I've found out about most of that. BUT - you CANNOT rely on old information - make sure whatever info you have is recent. A company can change ingredients and/or labeling so something that was safe 2 years ago might not be considered safe by many today.

I also use that site to get info on the safest airlines to fly (that don't serve peanuts for example).

There are also many companies that specialize in nut free products that advertise there.

As for the lethican or whatever that your doctor mentioned - I've never heard of that! I'd call the doctor back and ask what the heck they are talking about - or post that on those forums in the meantime.

Hang in there - it does get MUCH easier as you get used to the whole thing.

 

[mechurchlady]

http://www.peanutallergy.com/
Oops a little typo that does not go the right way.
Thanks and that was the person and link I was thinking about. Selkat knows a lot about peanut allergies and a person I recommend for advice.

 

[Brenle]

I received help on this board last year. Good people post here. Anyway, if you email Brenda below, she will email you back a list of items/restaurants that are peanut safe at WDW. If you don't have any luck with that, let me know and I'll try to ge that info to you.

We're heading down again in May, and I'll be emailing her as well but for an updated list.

In my personal experience, you must ask, re-ask and double check before you give anything to your child. Of course, I always carry at least two epis and my child wears a medic alert necklace/bracelet.

mailto:Brenda.Bennett@disney.com

 

[Selket]

http://www.peanutallergy.com/
Oops a little typo that does not go the right way.
Thanks and that was the person and link I was thinking about. Selkat knows a lot about peanut allergies and a person I recommend for advice.

Thanks for retyping that - I corrected my post!

 

[SueM in MN]

I received help on this board last year. Good people post here. Anyway, if you email Brenda below, she will email you back a list of items/restaurants that are peanut safe at WDW. If you don't have any luck with that, let me know and I'll try to ge that info to you.

We're heading down again in May, and I'll be emailing her as well but for an updated list.

In my personal experience, you must ask, re-ask and double check before you give anything to your child. Of course, I always carry at least two epis and my child wears a medic alert necklace/bracelet.

mailto:Brenda.Bennett@disney.com

I don't know if you are aware, but as of January 09, there is a specific email WDW has published to support Guests' Special Dietary Requests. This is the email address for that department: specialdiets@disneyworld.com
Also, as of 1/09, there is a WDW webpage about Special Diets on the WDW website. It includes some links for frequent requests.

No one has posted about emailing Brenda Bennett lately at the email you listed. I'm not sure if she is still answering at that email or if the other email that WDW listed is the only one to contact at this point.

 

[goin2themouse]

After emailing the special diets email address, I received a response from Brenda Bennett earlier this month. HTH.

 

[Brenle]

I don't know if you are aware, but as of January 09, there is a specific email WDW has published to support Guests' Special Dietary Requests. This is the email address for that department: specialdiets@disneyworld.com
Also, as of 1/09, there is a WDW webpage about Special Diets on the WDW website. It includes some links for frequent requests.

No one has posted about emailing Brenda Bennett lately at the email you listed. I'm not sure if she is still answering at that email or if the other email that WDW listed is the only one to contact at this point.

After emailing the special diets email address, I received a response from Brenda Bennett earlier this month. HTH.

Thanks for the information.