What Can You Pack if You Can't Pack Peanut Butter?

I was recently asked to provide a list of peanut butter free lunches that this mother could pack for her child, who did not have food allergies but ate lunch in the classroom with peanut allergic children and, thus, was unable to pack the only meal that was acceptable to the child. Sounds fuzzy, but I think you can understand.

We first found out that Gabriel was allergic to peanuts and tree nuts when he was 18 months old. We could not figure out why he had hives much of the time, had 6 asthma attacks, and was often seen with swollen, runny eyes and a beet red face - and hands, when we went to one memorable party.

I left to buy some Benadryl.

We took him to a very recommended allergist at Children's Hospital and she did an extensive panel of tests on him, both skin and blood. He tested very, very allergic to dogs and cats,  tree nuts and coconut and mildly to peanuts. Since that time, we've scrupulously avoided all nuts and he's had a couple of accidental exposures. He's wildly afraid of that Epi Pen. :) (Note: testing this year removed almonds and coconut and we've challenged both successfully, but peanut has jumped WAY up there.)

I have a philosophy about my kids food allergy that might surprise you. It certainly has gotten me some arguments over the years.

His food allergy is not your food allergy. 

I once met a woman whose child had multiple anaphylactic food allergies, much like my own son. This woman cooked and baked every single food that her kid came in contact with, to the point that we weren't supposed to bring in treats for our own child's birthday - we were to allow her to make it all. She didn't want her child to feel left out, or like he was different.

But he is different. And he will always be different. And I won't always be there to protect him, to keep him safe, to screen his food. So I've taught him to read labels and check foods and to avoid when he's not sure. I do send in treats to store in the classroom and if he's not able to eat a special birthday treat, I make sure he gets something later. It's not an obsession, though - if he misses a treat, oh well. A treat isn't the end of the world.

So, long story long, that's my philosophy on food allergies.

But. Gabe is older and he eats at the Nut Free Table at school. I completely understand the philosophy behind a nut free classroom. I've never requested it, and when a teacher offered it to me, I didn't take her up on it. I am NOT saying it's a bad thing, I'm NOT saying you are wrong if you did so, so save the hate mail. You make your choices, I make mine. I'm trying to help my kid navigate the world long term - I don't want him to have a dynamic shift from "Everything is safe and wonderful" to "Now I have to be aware of labels and worry about food". In my mind, it needs to be the same story all along.

Here are some of Gabe's favorite things to take for lunch, and I'm betting that you can find one or two that your non peanut allergic child will enjoy eating.

• Tupperware bowl of cereal - buy milk at lunch, because milk in a thermos sometimes isn't so fresh
• String cheese, crackers and applesauce
• Soy butter/almond butter/sunflower butter - now, I know that those are acquired tastes, but start young, start early in the year, and mix it with peanut butter while at home, in order to slowly adjust the taste buds - beware that it takes time
• cheese and crackers and lunch meat cut into shapes
• frozen yogurt tubes and mini muffins
• chicken noodle soup in a thermos with goldfish to drop on top
• leftovers, such as spaghetti, in a thermos. Key to the thermos: fill it with boiling hot water and cap it. Let it sit for five or ten minutes. Dump out the water, insert the piping hot food, and seal it. Be aware that often a thermos can seal a bit too tightly with the heat

Do you have a meal that's nut free that your kids (or you!) enjoy that would pack easily? Share it with us!

Comments

[Jen]

I'm having trouble with this, but not because of lunches. Our elementary school has a peanut-free table, so my boys can take PB&J for lunch and it's reasonably safe. What's tough for us, though, is the snacks they have to take. THOSE can't have peanut or nut products, and I understand and appreciate the concern. Snacks are eaten in the classroom and there are no separate tables. The problem is that my 9 year old is also gluten and dairy free, so we run out of snack ideas for him. Been in school a week and I'm already running dry.

[Gina]

My daughter is peanut allergic as well. She is 14 now and has been managing herself for several years without requiring others to not eat peanuts at school. However, for the younger kids, I think it is quite important to be in a peanut free environment. Our schools here also have microwaves available to heat things up, so that helps with variety.

Ideas to mix and match:

Have your child eat the hot lunch at school (easiest idea ever)

Bagels and cream cheese

Cold pizza

Jelly only sandwich, or tuna, egg salad, lunch meat, cheese, etc.

pasta or macaroni salad

soup, noodles, spaghetti, in a thermos with crackers

homemade lunchables (or the real lunchables) - get creative with different types of crackers, cheese, and lunch meat

string cheese

yogurt

fresh fruit, applesauce, canned fruit, dried fruit

cottage cheese

potato salad

granola bars, cookies, muffins, fruit leather

[Philippa]

Just wanted to follow up on this thread to say thanks to the person who suggested sunflower butter as a replacement for peanut butter. I found some at the store and have enjoyed it for the last two days. It is a successful replacement which I really enjoy!

Thanks!!

[Kelley]

As an educator, I think it is fine to have a but free or peanut free class or school if you have children with diagnosed allergies and the children are young. Young children get what they eat all over themselves and put their hands all over everything, such as underneath the seat of the chair. They also touch other children's food. I don't think it is necessary for older children because I agree that the allergic child needs to learn that he/she bears the ultimate responsibility. And what happens when they are in social settings that are not home or school? Also, I have always been bothered by the idea that schools are randomly becoming peanut and/or nut free, sometimes when there is no child present with such allergies, but they never seem to ban the other items that a child may be allergic to. MANY children that I have taught have had life threatening allergies to dairy or soy or eggs or sesame, but I have never seen them banned. It gives people the idea that peanut/ nut allergies are the only ones that are life-threatening.

[Kelley]

That should say NUT free not but free in the first line!