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

[jodifla]

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!

Wow! They send stuff back that "they" deem unworthy to eat! Who is the parent here?

It's amazing the things parents will put up with.

Pretty much all they're going to let your kids eat is water and (whole-wheat)bread. Prisoners get a more varied menu.

Good luck with the school year. I think you are VERY accommodating. I'd never put up with their rules.

 

[rgribik]

Try muffins---you can put just about anything in them, from banana to ham and cheese, I hide zucchini and carrots in muffins and you could sneak a chocolate chip in some for dessert(if your school doesn't look to close )
There are lots of websites with muffin receipes.

To the peanut allergy parents: this sounds really awful. I don't remember anyone with this problem when I was a kid. I wonder what is contributing to the increase in the allergy, and is anyone doing anything to find a treatment or cure for it? I'm lucky--no problems with any of my kids or the kids at our schools. How do you go out to eat or to a food court? My kids are very picky, and I was looking at labels, and even things I never thought about have nut products in them. Is this sunbutter as fattening as regular peanutbutter(I may try it ). My kids don't eat much meat(their choice), so the dr. told me to use peanut butter to make up their diet.

 

[ZPT1022]

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.

Okay, we're a family that has both to deal with. I have severe allergies and my son is autistic. An autistic child cannot just "get over it", even with therapy. Therapy can help but it is not a cure all. My son will be in special ed this year, and has been with birth to three since he was 18 months old. We see a feeding team at the Children's hospital along with a bunch of other specialists. He has a primary teacher as well as speech and OT. It's not that we're not working on it but a- it doesn't happen overnight, and b-they don't have the capacity to understand a food allergy like a "normal" child would. I appreciate where the food allergy parents are coming from, having severe allergies myself, but until you've actually had the task of feeding an autistic child and seeing day in and day out what it is like you really can't fully comprehend. My son has a very limited list of things he will eat and trying to get him to try new things- Sometimes we have to pry his mouth open and force him to try things that he has had before so that he can remember that it is something he likes. I really don't think it's just that easy to "get over it". I also think that trying to force him to eat something that wasn't on his short list or making him go hungry would make for a rather miserable day for both him and his teachers.

I should also add that unless you can get all the families in a school to go nut/peanut free at home too, there is no way to completely eliminate allergens from the school. Case in point- I'm allergic to strawberries, we never have them at home since my allergy has become worse with time. DD went to school and sat next to a girl eating strawberries at lunch. She came home and I had a reaction- trip to the ER, week of steroids, etc..... so I really do appreciate the allergy concerns as well, but it's not always so easy

 

[monorailsilver]

To the peanut allergy parents: this sounds really awful. I don't remember anyone with this problem when I was a kid. I wonder what is contributing to the increase in the allergy, and is anyone doing anything to find a treatment or cure for it? I'm lucky--no problems with any of my kids or the kids at our schools. How do you go out to eat or to a food court? My kids are very picky, and I was looking at labels, and even things I never thought about have nut products in them. Is this sunbutter as fattening as regular peanutbutter(I may try it ). My kids don't eat much meat(their choice), so the dr. told me to use peanut butter to make up their diet.

I remember one girl in my class that had a peanut allergy (I was born in 1971).

My ds is allergic so he just avoids PB but my older dd will eat it but I won't give it to my 18 month old she gets the soy butter.

Lets see, I have a jar of Stop & Shop (store brand) creamy PB on one side of me & on the other side I have a IM Healthy honey creamy soy nut butter:

PB has 17 g total fat (3 g sat/0 trans fat) and is 190 cal per 2 TBSP.

Soy has 11g total fat (1/5 sat/0 trans fat) and is 170 cal per 2 TBSP.

I don't have the non honey one to see if the numbers are any different & there is a crunchy version.

I haven't tired the sun butter yet but my ds likes this so I don't want to try something new, yet since he is almost 4.

 

[momtoBrandon&Jacob]

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

So do you think the school should cater only to autistic kids who are picky eaters or to all picky eaters - should they put a stamp on their heads to differentiate between the 2? I think it would be much simpler to take out nuts from the school altogether rather than focus on each individual as to their likes and dislikes. I know that when I was growing up, we had to eat whatever my mom made for dinner. Nowadays (me included) we cook separate meals for each kid in the family. I have picky eaters as well but certainly do not expect the school cafeteria to cater to them. And to answer your question, my younger son is allergic to peanuts and my DH's nephew is autistic and we do see him on a regular basis.

 

[ogreenlee]

I thank my lucky stars that I don't have either Autism or peanut allergy to deal with in regards to my child. If the biggest problem I have is finding something else for my child to eat, then I consider myself fortunate.


On a side note: Publix's Sunbutter was way more expensive than the same exact product at my local Whole Foods. I also found a really good (slightly sweetened) soynut butter there, too. I've used both since my DD started school this year. Both times the sandwich box came home empty, which means... at her school... 3/4 of her sammy was eaten. I did send a note letting her teacher know it wasn't PB.

 

[KiKi Mouse]

My DD's school is peanut free. Last year I had to sign a waiver stating I acknowledge that I am aware of the policy and that I wouldn't be sending any peanut sensitive snacks. I personally think that is over the top.
I heard that when my daughter goes to middle school (grades 5-8) that the peanut issue is moot. Go figure.

 

[plutolovr]

To the peanut allergy parents: this sounds really awful. I don't remember anyone with this problem when I was a kid. I wonder what is contributing to the increase in the allergy, and is anyone doing anything to find a treatment or cure for it? I'm lucky--no problems with any of my kids or the kids at our schools. How do you go out to eat or to a food court? My kids are very picky, and I was looking at labels, and even things I never thought about have nut products in them. Is this sunbutter as fattening as regular peanutbutter(I may try it ). My kids don't eat much meat(their choice), so the dr. told me to use peanut butter to make up their diet.

I would really like to know what's behind all these peanut allergies too! I was born in 1962, moved a lot and attended 4 different grammar schools, a junior high school and a high school. I also have 3 grown children who attended both private and public schools and never came across any of these allergies.

 

[toyac]

Wow! They send stuff back that "they" deem unworthy to eat! Who is the parent here?

It's amazing the things parents will put up with.

Pretty much all they're going to let your kids eat is water and (whole-wheat)bread. Prisoners get a more varied menu.

Good luck with the school year. I think you are VERY accommodating. I'd never put up with their rules.

OP, can they heat up food for lunch? With restrictions like the ones you've described, it may be tough to keep something in the lunch box that my kids would be interested in without the need to warm it up.

Jodifla, ITA with you on this one. ESPECIALLY at a private school. I live in GA, and I HIGHLY doubt the public schools here will ever go that far. If they did, I would make them FULLY responsible for provided ALL my kid's nutritional needs when he or she were in school. I ain't no short order cook.

 

[PghLybrt]

Just FYI Many of these other "peanut butters" are made in factories (sometimes on the same machines) that peanut butter is, so it may or may not have peanuts.



On a side note- My greatest fear was being forced to eat a peanut butter sandwich again! I hate the stuff. Yuck!

 

[MSSANDRA]

I thank my lucky stars that I don't have either Autism or peanut allergy to deal with in regards to my child. If the biggest problem I have is finding something else for my child to eat, then I consider myself fortunate.

 

[Mkrop]

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.

Therapy also takes time. It is not a switch that can be turned on and off.

My kids would starve if this was the case at their school.

My kids tried to start a healthy intitative telling us what we should pack in the school lunches, not demading, strongly suggesting, what we could have at class parties, and the biggie was only healthy snacks for bdays treats. Well being that DS9 is a Sept bday and usually the second week of school, I was struggling to figure what I could send in on the bus for 25 kids that would be healthy. We finally came up with apples slice and low fat caramel dip that I found individually packaged. It was approved I sent it in. Well this bday thing only lasted a few months before parents started getting sick of trying to figure something healthy and resorted back to sending donuts, cookies, or cupcakes. Well DS9 was furious, he had been dying to bring in big donuts with icing and we followed the rules and then he saw others breaking the rules. Now I wonder what they are going to do this year, he is already asking if he can bring in the donuts.

 

[ptmmg]

Just FYI Many of these other "peanut butters" are made in factories (sometimes on the same machines) that peanut butter is, so it may or may not have peanuts.



On a side note- My greatest fear was being forced to eat a peanut butter sandwich again! I hate the stuff. Yuck!

It says right on the jar of sunbutter "processed in a peanut free and tree nut free facility"

 

[Schmeck]

If a school claims to be peanut-free, are they screening the kids as they come into school? Checking for peanut butter under the fingernails, on the clothing, in their mouths? Are they banning kids from bringing in the 'made in a factory that also processes peanuts' labeled products as well? Unless they are doing all of the above, the school is not really peanut-free, and an extra-sensitive child will still have the chance of a reaction.

 

[RRBB]

These are the labels for Sunbutter and an organic peanut butter we have in the house

Creamy Sunbutter
Serving Size: 2 Tbsp
Calories: 200
Calories from fat: 140
Total fat: 16g
Saturated fat: 2g
Polyunsaturated fat: 6g
Monounsaturated fat: 8g
Trans. fat: 0g
Cholesterol: 0mg
Sodium: 120mg
Total carbs: 7g
Dietary fiber: 4g
Sugars: 3g
Protein: 7g

ALLERGY STATEMENT:
Made on Equipment that processes soybeans.
PROCESSED IN A PEANUT FREE AND TREE NUT FREE FACILITY.

O Organics Peanut Butter
Serving Size: 2 Tbsp
Calories: 200
Calories from fat: 150
Total fat: 16g
Saturated fat: 3.5g
Trans. fat: 0g
Cholesterol: 0mg
Sodium: 120mg
Total carbs: 6g
Dietary fiber: 3g
Sugars: 2g
Protein: 8g

 

[DeeCeeSW]

If a school claims to be peanut-free, are they screening the kids as they come into school? Checking for peanut butter under the fingernails, on the clothing, in their mouths? Are they banning kids from bringing in the 'made in a factory that also processes peanuts' labeled products as well? Unless they are doing all of the above, the school is not really peanut-free, and an extra-sensitive child will still have the chance of a reaction.

Oh boy, here we go again. Where's my other buddy? I'm sure he'll be here shortly.

 

[Janet Hill]

Just a question-- back when I was in school >30 years ago we all brought our lunch from home and probably more than 1/2 the class had peanut butter. Nobody ever croaked, nor did we ever hear anything about a peanut allergy. Is this just much more prevelant now or are food sensitivities getting elevated to allergy level? There are at least 3 kids in my son's class and 4 in my daughter's class with a peanut allergy. Statistically this doesn't make sense to me. Please remember this is a query and I'm not passing judgment.

 

[hildarumpole]

Here's a link to an article that might help explain why there seems to be an increase in allergies:

http://www.healthandgoodness.com/health/allergy_symptoms_increasing.html

I don't sit around and ask why, we just live with the reality and press on. It's not particularly helpful to think, gee, if only we had tapeworms or my house was a filthy mess or the kids didn't get vaccines, we'd be in the clear. There are a lot of other scary health concerns from the past that I wouldn't want to have to worry about today, like polio, smallpox, and typhoid, to name a few. Maybe it's a trade-off. It's mother nature's way of keeping us all in check, letting us know who is in charge. We can keep trying to overcome nature, but it keeps fighting back with new tricks.

 

[KiKi Mouse]

Our pediatrician told us that it was the early introduction of foods that leads to allergies. I believe that but I think there is something else going on as we didn't have these issues when we were kids.

 

[brymolmom]

Not having a child with either - I'd have to agree that the potentially deadly nut allergy must trump the special needs pickiness. I mean - most children can afford without going into malnurishment, to not even eat 3 meals a day. So if one is skipped (obviously not ideal but if it is truly the only thing that will be consumed by a child, to the parent with the autistic child - is this the case? ONLY PB&J, not even crackers or anything else?). If there is ANYTHING else a child will eat - just having a bag full of crackers or goldfish or whatever the child will eat will sustain him/her until he gets home and can have his sandwich at that time.

And I also agree that it would be tough for a school to make an exception for those on the spectrum vs. those just truly picky without a diagnosis. At what point on the spectrum will they allow it? Will only mild cases qualify (my son can get the diagnosis of mild aspergers, but we haven't asked for it formally yet - waiting to see if he 'needs' it to succeed in Kindergarten)? In my case - even tho my son could get a diagnosis, he shouldn't be allowed an exception to any rule, as he does get upset to new rules, but learns from them. I know not all on the spectrum can do so - but how is a school to designate those who are exempt from rules and those who aren't?