Seeking Mom's with Children That Have Peanut Allergies in Northwest, AR

There is also Marys Natural Foods in Springdale. They have some really good snacks as well as the Ozark Natural Foods store in Fayettville. You might want to take a moment or two and look over the following page and it may help you fill in any questions you have about this type of allergy.

http://foodallergies.about.com/od/nutallergies/p/treenuta...
as well as the following
http://kidshealth.org/teen/food_fitness/nutrition/nut_all...

As for ideas on what to snack on how about bannana chips and dried apricots mmmmmmm, loved them as a child and loves them still. There really are alternatives out there that not only make up for not being allowed to eat the nuts but keeps you from thinking about the fact your not eating them as well. Good luck knows it wont be easy but is sure you can handle it.
Bblessed always in all things.

my children do not have any allergies, but I have a friend whose son has LOTS of food allergies. She has a support group called Bread Alone (____@____.com or ###-###-####)if you are interested.

Dear K.,
I was told by friend of mine about you request. My son also has a peanut allergy. We were told by the Dr. to just avoid anthing with peanuts, tree nuts, or traces of nuts. You can still shop at you normal grocery store, just be sure to read the lables. They must put on the packages if the food has nuts or has come into contact with any nuts. What I have found is that most of your prepakaged cakes, brownies, and muffins are really bad about having traces of nuts. Not all brands are the same. wal mart brand choc. chips are ok, but nestle, toll house, guerdelle are not good. Fruit loops, bran flakes, and plain cheerios are good. Other cerals you will just need to read the lables. Also, try avoiding chinese buffets, thai food , and desserts that you haven't made yourself. Don't be afraid to ask at resturants if they use Peanut oil for frying. We really like Chick fa lay and they use peanut oil, but the Dr. ok'd that place.
Really the main thing is to read lables. And make sure your child, family members, and friends understand the seriousness of this allergy. My son, is 2 and he knows to ask if something has peanuts. Good luck ! You can still lead a pretty normal life.. just without the pb&j sandwitches :) G.

If you live near Rogers, Cook's Natural Foods east of the corner of 8th (71 B) and Walnut might be a place that could help. They have a little deli, produce, and pre-packaged snacks that several of my more health-conscious friends enjoy. Plus the staff in knowledgable about things like allergies and deficiencies in our body. One thing that you are going to have to be aware of is the degree of sensitivity that your child has to the peanuts...sometimes it is just personal injestion, sometimes children can also be affected by airborne peanut particles. The later can't be around someone eating peanut-butter and jelly at a picnic or preschool. If that is the case, you have educate those who oversee her when her parents aren't there.

Hi, K.. I have a friend whose child is severely allergic to peanut. She has been helping me navigate these waters as we start our day care/preschool here in Bentonville...we are completely peanut free. There is a a support/network group that she is a member of and she finds it helpful.

I will call her...you guys need to get connected.

As for peanut free, I think you are just going to have to read and reread the labels and then have your husband read them as you bring the food into the home to make sure that you are eliminating peanuts, "may contain", and "processed in a plant with peanuts." You will be shocked at how much you will have to steer clear of...chex mix, some cereals, etc...
We are staying away from anything with nuts...even sunflower seeds as they are processed in plants with nuts sometimes.

Hershey's chocolate bars have no peanuts and are not processed in a plant with peanuts...just in case you need a chocolate fix :) Don't forget Chick-fil-a uses peanut oil!

I will email you again once I speak with her. C.

I dont know about peanut allergy, but my sister in law can't have gluten. When she lived here she could find some things at Rogers Natural Foods on 13th st ###-###-####.) You may also look for support groups (I don't know if there are any around here) they are great for finding places that cater to those with food allergies and diabetes, etc...
I'm sorry to hear about your daughter having peanut allergy, mine eats pb&j at least once a week-I don't know what we'd do without it! I've also learned how hard it is to find foods that are free of certain things that so many people can't eat. Good Luck and God Bless!