We're now Nut free at Dd's school!

[emma'smom]

There were signs all over the school at the Open House tonight that dd's school is now nut-free. No nuts allowed in lunches or in snacks. We, of course, won't know who the students are who require this....but now I'm dreading school lunch packing. We have to pack lunches (no cafeteria..they eat in the classrooms) that represent all four food groups using only "healthy" foods. I'm all for this (no arguments about wanting cookies in the lunchbox) and I don't really mind accomodating the needs of the students with nut allergies, but I'm stumped about coming up with lunches everyday w/out peanut butter. It was such a staple that we sent in PB sandwiches or PB and apple slices at least twice a week.

Any ideas for how to meet the "protein" portion of the lunch daily? I've done the following:

hummus w/whole wheat pita or veggies
turkey and cheese
just cheese on whole wheat bread
ham and cheese
cheese sticks/cubes*
yogurt

*But then she ends up with a lunch of cheese and crackers and usually a cup of fruit...which seems odd.

They drink organic milk or filtered water with their meals.

Any ideas?

 

[Traveliz]

Is this a private school?

Liz

 

[ntink]

How about a thermos with pasta & meatballs or mac & cheese or soup?

My dds both like cheese & crackers & fruit for lunch sometimes so I don't see anything odd about that. Cheese contains protein.

Also on another thread someone had mentioned sunflower seed butter as a PB substitute, I'm not sure how if this falls under the nut category.

 

[RRBB]

My son's school a nut-free school. Some of the things I sent in his lunch box over the last year include:

• chicken nuggets
• hot dog
• cheese stick
• yogurt
• pizza
• chicken salad
• tuna salad
• fish sticks
• quesadilla
• grilled cheese sandwich
• baked potato with cheese
• pasta with alfredo sauce
• mac & cheese
• mini bagel pizzas

Knowing that he couldn't take pb&j to school, I've never given it to him. But I do know that if I had to, sunbutter (made from sunflower seeds) would be an acceptable substitute. If you decide to go that route, be sure to put a note in your DD's lunch box or they may not let her eat it.

 

[cymomtx]

I have an Autistic child that only eats PB&J, this would be a major problem. And I have issues with a school telling me what to pack in my childs lunch, especially having two autistic children with very picky eating habits.

 

[Schmeck]

cymomtx, I've worked in a school with the same situation - one child had a severe peanut allergy, another had eating issues and would only eat peanut butter cracker snacks 24/7... We don't use the term 'peanut-free' in our schools, we say 'peanut-sensitive' because IMO no school can be 100% peanut free, unless they ban peanut butter at home as well.

Anyways, the school solved the issue by keeping them in seperate classrooms, seperate lunches, and lots of handwashing during the day.

 

[MSSANDRA]

Our preschool is peanut free and I make -it clear to parents on enrollment that children may eat no peanut products at school. They are aware of the rules on erollment. One little guy at our school at less than two years old almost died when he ate food that had laid on a table where another child had eaten peanut butter. It did not happen at our school but it could have. It is a choice every school has to make.

 

[DVCLiz]

I have an Autistic child that only eats PB&J, this would be a major problem. And I have issues with a school telling me what to pack in my childs lunch, especially having two autistic children with very picky eating habits.

I appreciate having kids with picky eating habits, but I think a lot of parents are having to cope with this issue, and it wouldn't surprise me to see all schools become peanut-free within the next few years. If it's a question of someone's child dying, the picky peanut butter eaters will have to either eat something else or choose another school.

 

[Minnie_me]

We have to pack lunches (no cafeteria..they eat in the classrooms) that represent all four food groups using only "healthy" foods.

Wow. I can't imagine a school having the cajones to tell me what to pack in my child's lunch. While I do pack very healthy lunches for my girls, this would just irk me to no end.

I'm a teacher, and I remember talking to our home-school counselor a couple of years ago about a little boy in my classroom who brought nothing but a baggie of chips and a baggie of cookies in his lunch every day. She said that there was nothing we could do.

So how is it that your child's school is able to dictate that you must put food from each of the four food groups in your child's lunch every single day?

I can just see myself, 11:00 p.m., packing lunches for the next day and realizing that I'm out of veggies. Waking up the kids, putting them in the car, driving 20 minutes to the grocery store so they'll be able to go to school with the required lunch the next day - LOL!

 

[ntink]

I have an Autistic child that only eats PB&J, this would be a major problem. And I have issues with a school telling me what to pack in my childs lunch, especially having two autistic children with very picky eating habits.

I would sincerely hope that if your child was in the OPs child's school he or she would be accomodated.

I think the OP is only asking for suggestions on items for her child's lunch, specifically, how to address the protein portion.

 

[emma'smom]

It's a private school. They have actually eased up on the past few years. They also used to give us clear instructions about the kinds of containers to pack their food in (small, clear glass containers...or plastic, if necessary). Now I dont' hear so much about the specific kinds of containers....just that they should be eco-friendly.

If we send anything really unhealthy (like those snack cakes or potato chips), they send it back in their lunchbox, along with any uneaten food, so we know what not to send again. My DH threw in a mini-snickers last year on the day after Halloween. They didn't send it back (as I said, they have eased up since one teacher left), but I made a point of mentioning to the teacher that the candy bar was a one-time deal because of Halloween.

The biggest change this year (besides the nuts) is that they are no longer serving apple juice at snack time because too many parents complained about the sugar. Each parent used to buy these big two gallon jugs of organic apple juice and crackers. Now, I guess it is crackers and water for snack. I guess that will be fine...dd likes water just as much as juice and I choose to pick my "complaining mom" battles for the truly important issues. I don't want end up being the parent that the school "caller-ID's".

Anyway, pasta is a good idea...I just need to be organized enough to get it ready. We do a lot of soups (hadn't thought about that since I am not in the "winter soup" mode yet) that are leftovers from the previous night's meals. Maybe we'll do more leftovers...most of our dinners are nut free anyway.

Your ideas are good! Thanks!

 

[hildarumpole]

If your daughter likes peanut butter, give soynut butter a try. We get an organic brand called IM Healthy and it's delicious. My older son couldn't tell the difference when we made the switch after my daughter was diagnosed with a peanut allergy. Some people also like sunflower seed butter. If you do send something to school that looks like peanut butter, I suggest writing a note, so someone doesn't freak out thinking it's peanut butter.

 

[minniebeth]

If your daughter likes peanut butter, give soynut butter a try. We get an organic brand called IM Healthy and it's delicious. My older son couldn't tell the difference when we made the switch after my daughter was diagnosed with a peanut allergy. Some people also like sunflower seed butter. If you do send something to school that looks like peanut butter, I suggest writing a note, so someone doesn't freak out thinking it's peanut butter.

Sunbutter is a brand of sunflower seed butter and it is very good. Most kids don't know the difference once it is on a sandwich and with jelly.
I agree with the note or at least to make someone aware of what it is...

 

[LadyShea]

Canapes of all kinds, maybe with meat spreads, sliced meats, and cheese. You can buy assorted cocktail breads to add variety.

Beans and rice

Bread sticks, cheese sticks, and veggies with a yogurt based dip.

 

[ptmmg]

Sunbutter is a brand of sunflower seed butter and it is very good. Most kids don't know the difference once it is on a sandwich and with jelly.
I agree with the note or at least to make someone aware of what it is...

We use sunbutter also!!! I have a severe peanut allergy so we have no nuts in the house at all! we have tried the soy but kids did not like that at all, The Sunbutter is awesome from what my dh and kids tell me it taste just like peanutbutter!!! I know it smells like it!
I usually buy mine at Target its about the same price as regular peanut butter There is also a website that you can check out and buy it through but you will be paying over double the money then!~

 

[momtoBrandon&Jacob]

I have an Autistic child that only eats PB&J, this would be a major problem. And I have issues with a school telling me what to pack in my childs lunch, especially having two autistic children with very picky eating habits.

What about children with severe peanut allergies who can be sent to the hospital just from ingesting the smell of nuts? Don't you think that's a lot worse than being "a picky eater". That's a very selfish view and I'm all for the schools doing this. Autistic children can overcome this with therapy, but nothing can be done about peanut allergies.

 

[hollieplus2]

What about children with severe peanut allergies who can be sent to the hospital just from ingesting the smell of nuts? Don't you think that's a lot worse than being "a picky eater". That's a very selfish view and I'm all for the schools doing this. Autistic children can overcome this with therapy, but nothing can be done about peanut allergies.

Wow Having a peanut allergy and being autistic are both disabilites and if the school is willing to accomodate one they have to accomodate all. Some kids can't just go through therapy to get rid of their "problems". There are some autistic children that will put themselves in the hospital if thier routine is messed up. I don't think you can compare the two. Unless you have children w/ both disabilites then I don't think it's your place to call either one selfish. JMO

 

[momto2girls]

I homeschool, so this isn't an issue for me, but I wouldn't know what to do if I had to send lunch with my daughter and it couldn't include peanut butter AND it had to contain all four food groups. My daughter just will not eat most things. Aside from peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, there are only a few things she will eat. I would really struggle with these parameters. Thank goodness I don't have to face this.

 

[merryweather's twin]

Well I have both a girl with Peanut and all legume allergy and a Autistic son and I feel like the Fatal allergy trumps the Autism. I know it can be hard to change the likes and needs of any child but when you explain that the other child can die if you eat that(at home we call it the brown paste of death for Mandy ) my son understood(after a few talks) and would not eat it when she was around or in the house(or let anyone else).Autistic children from what I have seen have a great ability to care for others around them even if it is not in "a normal way".

Now when she went to church camp we had peanut butter cups all around LOL. I do feel bad that my childs room is peanut free. I know it causes problems for parents. I am sorry. The kids at school have never given her any trouble. And so far she can be in the same room at lunch(with windows open) as long as she does not touch it let alone eat it. So we are lucky.The lunch ladys are great and clean her table so no worries there.) The allergy Dr. Says each exposure will make her allergy worse???He wants her in a peanut free school. So Sometimes I debate with myself about it still being in the lunch room.

Now as for all this Healthy food stuff I am all for it at lunch but I feel like the school parties should be the same as always. For Halloween we could not bring candy or any treats.... Not even cup cakes or rice crispys. A veggie tray and milk is not a party for a 5yo.LOL. And same with Christmas They would not even allow granola bars.It was sad and I feel sorry for the kids who have no celebrations or treats at home due to money or other issues. I am not a room Mom this year due to this and plan to take the kids out a day early for the Christmas one and go on vacation. I will not we called the big lady who always brings the veggies all next summer also! LOL.

 

[ZPT1022]

I appreciate having kids with picky eating habits, but I think a lot of parents are having to cope with this issue, and it wouldn't surprise me to see all schools become peanut-free within the next few years. If it's a question of someone's child dying, the picky peanut butter eaters will have to either eat something else or choose another school.

see, that's a catch 22- ALL schools go nut free, but parents of special needs kids with their food quirks will have to go to another school? There wouldn't be another school. This is one of those can't win things

It's a private school. They have actually eased up on the past few years. They also used to give us clear instructions about the kinds of containers to pack their food in (small, clear glass containers...or plastic, if necessary). Now I dont' hear so much about the specific kinds of containers....just that they should be eco-friendly.

Glass?!?!?!?! I wouldn't want to send my six year old to school with a bunch of glass containers,it just sounds like a recipe for disaster. I do agree with using reusable containers over baggies but GLASS??

We also do the candy the day after Halloween, that and right after Easter sometimes too, she might be allowed to bring one of those mini chocolate eggs as a dessert with her lunch. I think sending lots of leftovers is really going to be your best bet. Start making a point to cook a bit extra of things you know she'll like in her lunch and invest in one of those really good thermoses. I'm sure she'll let you know what's a hit and what's not.

I would try things like quesadillas, soups, macaroni dishes, rollups of lunchmeat and cheese in a wrap and cut into pinwheels, french toast or pancakes maybe?