Peanut Allergy! Need Some Advice!

Updated on November 15, 2008
J.B. asks from Lake Elsinore, CA
4 answers

Hello fellow Mamasource moms,
I have had great experiences with the advice I have gotten from you all :) And I need you again! :)
I have two boys in preschool and they are going to be banning anything with nuts or peanut butter in their lunches due to a number of children who have severe allergy to peanut. Whether they ban it or not, as a mom, knowing that there are that many children with that sever of an allergy (epipen type) I want to respect that and do my part and not put those children at risk.
Now my problem is my oldest son, Shane LOVES peanut butter and its his "school lunch thing" to have a peanut butter sandwich in his lunch. Of course he will eat other things but he has sensory integration with fear of new foods. He has been through therapy and with time will try new foods and step out of his comfort zone, but its touchy.
This is where I need you! I need some ideas on what to put in their lunches that are safe for the kids with food allergies and my boys will eat. I am looking for things that the teachers would not have to prepare like microwaving anything or what not. My younger boy will eat anything really so he is easy, he loves all kinds of sandwiches...anything (he's my "mikey likes it" kid).
So to summarize: I need preschool aged kids lunch ideas without foods with peanut/peanut butter, that is healthy and fun to eat but doesn't take preparation for the teachers, AND not too much for mommie :)
I would like to also share some ideas with other moms at the school too so any and all healthy suggestions are welcome!
J. B

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More Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

K.H.

answers from Los Angeles on

I am in the same situation as you. My son is in Special Ed. Kindergarten because he is Autistic, so I get the whole thing of having a picky eater. We got a note home the other day about no peanut items anymore. He loves only peanut butter sandwiches. I have got to try something different with him. I was happy to see your question because I need ideas too. My son loves cold pizza, so I buy the english muffins at Trader Joes as well as their pizza sauce. I toast the muffin a little first, then put sauce and cheese on it and put it in the broiler for a few minutes (watch it closely).This does require a little extra time in the morning. I put in in freezer to cool for a minute or so before putting it in a bag, or the cheese will slide off. I haven't tried a thermos yet for keeping it warm though. I'm eager to read the responces you get, because it is hard to feed kids that have sensory issues with food. I am going to try the sunflower butter from Traders that the other moms suggested.
Good luck to you!!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

C.M.

answers from Los Angeles on

Sunbutter (made from sunflower seeds) tastes remarkably like peanut butter. It is possible your son might not even know the difference. Try it at home first. If you send it, call the school and let them know it is not pb. They carry it at Trader Joes, and probably other places as well.

Also: bagel and cream cheese is a good easy one for little kids. Cheese and crackers too.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

K.L.

answers from Los Angeles on

Sunflower seed butter! Trader Joes has the best price. It is the same consistency as creamy PB. My kids love it. My son attends a private school that does not allow nuts of any kind on campus. He also does not like to try new things (SI issues too)and PBJ is a staple in our house. We also like to dip apple slices and pretzels in it. I also send hot things in the thermos like TJ's mini ravioli and marinara sauce. I pack it when it is steaming hot and by lunch it is the perfect temp. Wheat thins with slices of cheese and sliced turkey dogs to make sandwiches out of. A cup of yogurt with his favorite granola to add into, granola in a seperate container so that it doesn't get soggy. (We love yogurt sundaes.)

These are just a few of our favorite ideas.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.L.

answers from Los Angeles on

Like the other mom's said - sunflower seed butter! It's really good! It is like a "natural" peanut butter in that you have to really stir it well the first time to mix the oil in. Make sure you stir all the way down to the bottom or else the bottom half will be dry and unusable later. I just wanted to add that Trader Joe's has only the creamy but if you want the crunchy, Albertson's has that. You should label your son's lunch or the ziploc the sandwich is in: "Sunflower Butter, Contains NO peanuts" so the lunch ladies can see it. Also, we make our own "lunchables" with better ingredients. Healthy crackers and ham/turkey and cheese cut up to the shape of the crackers, just like lunchables. Another thing that I make is Chicken Nuggets, get them nice and hot and crispy before school and then put them in a "soup" Thermos. They stay warm (but not that crispy) by lunch if your kids would go for that. Good luck.

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