Peanut free???...help needed!

[kellyg403]

Yesterday ds12 came home from school and announced that because there was an issue in the lunchroom, they had removed 2 tables and those kids were sent to sit at other tables from now on. My ds got the peanut free table, which I found odd since he eats peanut butter sandwiches everyday. Anyway, it turns out a few of ds's friends sit at this table and he would like to cont. to sit there. I really tried to talk him out of it since I have no idea how to even begin making sure we are responsible enough. I have no experience with this at all so was hoping someone here might have an idea of what is considered NOT peanut free. I looked on the back of the granola bars this morning, peanuts so DS took grapes, a salami sandwich and a banana. This kid is not a fruit eater so this probably won't last too long. I need helpful choices for him. Probably the easiest would be to tell me what he CAN'T take. I have been on a few websites and I am a little concerned I might mess this up and have no desire too. I really really wish there was another option. I told ds we would try it but I may have to call the school and have him moved, much to his chagrin. There is no way I could handle inadvertantly hurting one of these students.

Kelly

 

[mommasita]

In my experienced almost EVERYTHING has it written on the label and/or box. My daughter's BFF has a peanut allergy, and as it seems we have adopted her , we have gone peanut free.

Read all labels carefully, the info is there.

 

[kellyg403]

Thanks! I was hoping that was the case. I was just not sure if there was some scientific word I should be looking for that meant peanuts Thanks again!

Kelly

 

[RUDisney]

My kids don't like peanut butter, so that's not an option for their lunches.

Kids will eat things cold that adults may not want to eat. For example, I give my kids cold pasta sometimes. It could be a pasta salad, but it could be pesto or with some other sauce on it. Last week, they took leftover eggplant parm that they ate cold. They also like when I send them with cold breaded chicken that's leftover.

Yogurt is a favorite in their lunches. I keep fruit/jello combination tubs and snack packs on hand as fillers. My kids like fruit, so they often times get that. DD likes to have me peel and cut a cucumber for the main entree in her lunch.

I do cold cereal sometimes for lunch or soup when it's cold out. My kids also like salads and will sometimes take cold hot dogs for lunch.

Peanut free is doable. Just a pain in the neck for the person who has to read all the labels.... not to mention for the person with the allergies.

 

[Michelle67]

Thanks! I was hoping that was the case. I was just not sure if there was some scientific word I should be looking for that meant peanuts Thanks again!

Kelly

Nope, peanuts are just going to say peanuts. Egg and milk can be missed because they'll use other words to describe parts or derivatives (albumin, lactose powder, cassein, etc). Peanuts are easier, though. When you read the labels, make sure you look down at the bottom below the ingredients to see if it says anything about being processed on equipment also used for peanuts. Cross contamination can matter depending on the severity of the allergy. The top several allergens, of which peanuts are one, are bolded in ingredient lists by law now, which will make things easier for you.

Best wishes. I know it's a bit of a pain, but you'll manage it.

 

[hipchickie]

There are some decent soy nut butters that taste like PB too - really depends on the brand though (I have had some awful ones too) AFAIK you would have to check out a natural foods type store to find a good variety, or buy online.

When my son was young he went to a PB free preschool, and I sent him sandwiches made with the soy butter instead, he never even noticed the difference

 

[KateandEmysmom]

My daugther's classroom is peanut free for snack, but they can have peanut products at lunch (but they have to sit at a different part of the table). They sent home a list of approved snacks...

Fresh fruits and veggies
Rold Gold pretzels
Snyders brand: veggie chips, wheat sticks or nibbles
Nabisco brand: Teddy Grahams, Graham crackers/sticks, Barnum's animal crackers, Wheat Thins, Cheese nips, Sociables
Keebler Brand: Wheatables, Club Crackers, Townhouse
Pepperidge Farms: Goldfish crackers - cheddar, original, parmesan pretzel, and pizza
Kelloggs Brand: Nutrigrain cereal bars, Special K bars, Yougart bars, AppleJacks and Fruit Loops,
Raisins and Apricots
Sunkist fruit snacks

HTH.

 

[Doe]

The top several allergens, of which peanuts are one, are bolded in ingredient lists by law now, which will make things easier for you.

By law they do not have to bold peanuts or any other of the top 8 allergens on labels. They do have to clearly state the top 8 allergens in the ingredients.

 

[kellyg403]

Thanks for all the help! I also appreciate the list, that helps a great deal as well. There are several things on there I actually have in the house. I didn't go through the cupboards at 6:30 this morning to see what was/wasn't peanut free. I just chose the fresh fruit/sandwich thing. Figured that was safe until I could go through the cabinets.

Thanks again. I don't think it will be a pain so much as I fear I will put the wrong thing in his lunch and one of his friends ends up having a reaction. That is what scares me!

Kelly

 

[Slem liten katt]

Bagels with cream cheese and jelly make good sandwiches. Pudding cups, jello, yogurt tubes or cheese slices are good lunch alternatives.

 

[Barbossa]

Sunbutter, which is made from sunflower seeds, is a great alternative to peanut butter:

http://www.sunbutter.com/

My DD7 is peanut allergic but can eat Sunbutter. It tastes great, better than PB IMO.

It's interesting that your DS has to sit at the peanut-free table. Is this permanent? My DD's school has PFT's but it's strictly voluntary for non-allergic kids to sit there.

 

[taheenee]

Sunbutter, which is made from sunflower seeds, is a great alternative to peanut butter:

http://www.sunbutter.com/

My DD7 is peanut allergic but can eat Sunbutter. It tastes great, better than PB IMO.

It's interesting that your DS has to sit at the peanut-free table. Is this permanent? My DD's school has PFT's but it's strictly voluntary for non-allergic kids to sit there.

Sunbutter is awesome!! My Dd school went peanut-free this year so I got some of this to try as an alternative. I like it better than peanut butter. My DD loves it!