Food Allergies in Children--

Cross posted at Non-Toxic Kids

A few months ago I went to a party with my two girls. There was all sorts of yummy food there for everyone (and I was thrilled to not have to cook). I found some dark chocolaty brownies in the kitchen and kept sneaking back there to have a bite (or two or three--). Finally, my two year old daughter followed me there and asked for some. It was only a matter of time!

I flipped over the package, and found no offending ingredients or nut warnings(for my girl has a severe nut allergy). They were from Wegman's, a grocery store that has the finest prepared food one could ever hope for (and lots of great organic and natural foods). I often have grocery store envy when my mom shares with me what she bought at Wegman's, because there is not one where I live. So, I gave her a small piece of the brownie, and we went on our merry way.

Later, I told my mom about this. Being her investigative and inquisitive self, she went to the bakery counter at Wegman's and asked if the brownies (and their other baked goods that weren't labeled with any nut warnings) were indeed nut free, and made in nut free facility, or at least a nut controlled environment.

The kind bakery manager declared that no, the brownies were made with the same equipment and kitchen as the batches made with nuts, and that they were only as nut free as the baker's ability to clean and use different utensils for each batch. In other words, there was no way to guarantee there were no nut residues in any of the bakery products. My mom explained our situation, and that labeling should catch up with the packaging. If some poor child was to have a reaction, the store would have a major liability problem on their hands. He assured her that they would change the labeling, and he communicated this (supposedly)to his supervisors.

Its been months since then and of course the labeling hasn't changed. Thankfully my daughter did not have a reaction, but she could have. I worry about all the kids who are more allergic than she is, and even when their parents are dutifully checking the labels, one of them could have a serious reaction.

So, the take home message, sadly, is to avoid the bakery items at the grocery store unless they have a clear label that they are nut free (or whatever the allergen is--). I guess I will have to learn to be more sneaky with my chocolate intake!

Cross posted at Non-Toxic Kids

Oh yes, driving home from the allergist was a treat. We had just found out that our daughter was allergic to every nut possible. She had been poked in her back ten times, and looked like a flock of rabbit sized mosquitoes had bit her and tried to carry her away. She whimpered in the backseat as my mind swarmed with troubling thoughts I couldn't control. No pesto. No peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. Being the mom in the class or group that always says, "Are their nuts in this?" or "Sweetie, you can't have those, you have to have these special cookies," (ones that I don't even know how to make yet). No pesto. How will she get enough protein? Aren't there nuts in everything? After calming down a bit, and doing some reading and research, I found that planning meals for a vegetarian, peanut allergic child is not as hard as I thought it might be. So if you are in the same boat, try to relax and read on for some tried and true tips that might help.

-If your child is severely allergic to nuts, go through your cabinets and pull out any foods that have nuts or are manufactured in a facility that handles nuts. All food has to have this label on it now. It is marked in bold lettering just below the nutrition and ingredient information. Put these items on a top shelf or give them away. That way, when your toddler starts exploring the shelves while you are on the phone, you will avoid a possible serious reaction.

-For your first visit to the grocery store or co-op after finding out your child is allergic to peanuts and/or tree nuts, allow more time and if possible, try to go there baby free. This will allow you read the labels carefully on all items, and make a list of the items and brands of food that you can buy without nuts.

-Some favorites of mine are the Earth's Best crackers and cookies. Earth's Best also makes oatmeal cookies without a peanut warning. This is very rare; it seems that most other cookies seem to have some sort of nut warning.

-Look for substitutes. Soy Nut Butter is very tasty and is a great protein for your growing toddler. It has the same look, consistency and a very similar taste to peanut butter. Sun Butter, made from sunflower seeds, is very tasty and packed with protein. Apple Butter is great on toast as well.

-Use the many wonderful soy products available as protein sources. My daughter's favorite's include tofu hot dogs, veggie burgers (try lots of different brands, one is sure to be a hit), veggie deli salami, turkey and pepperoni (in the produce section).

-Give her beans, beans, and more beans. They are a great protein source, as all of us vegetarians know. You can slip them into many things. Toddlers love to dip and spread, so make your own hummus, minus the tahini (just garbanzo beans, olive oil and garlic), and other dips that you can sneak in beans.

-Give your toddler fortified soy milk that has vitamin B12, and other important vitamins in it.

-Consider buying flaxseed oil, and using it on vegetables, in dips, shakes, and on pasta. It has the omega fats that are found in fish and are important in brain development. Look carefully at the label, though, the Horizon brand is produced in peanut facility. The brand Flora Flax Seed Oil has no nut warning and I've been giving it to my toddler regularly.

-Bring snacks everywhere so you won't have to worry about buying food on the run. And be sure to closely monitor snack time at play dates. Granola bars are a frequent offender, as most of them have nuts or are produced in a facility that produces nuts.

-Educate your friends, family, babysitter, and childcare providers. Explain that even a dropped peanut on the floor could cause a serious problem for your little one. Encourage everyone you know to keep peanut products secure when you visit, and tell them never to feed your toddler without checking with you first.

-Explain cross contamination to everyone that comes in contact with your child. You don't want your toddler eating jelly that has remnants of peanut butter in it from the last time someone made a sandwich.

-Be prepared to discuss your child's diet with well meaning, worried family members. Many people told me to consider giving my daughter meat for protein. After some reflection, I understand that these folks just want what is best for my girl, as do I. Their comments are coming from a place of caring, in most cases. They might not realize that you can meet your child's nutritional needs without meats and nuts.

Hopefully these tips will help get you started. Know that you are not alone! And yes, you can make a pretty good pesto without the pine nuts. Now these dietary changes are just a part of our family culture, and it doesn't seem nearly as overwhelming.