Food Allergies

UPDATE: I called up the director of the preschool to confirm these food allergies to dairy, soy, egg, peanuts and tree nuts. As it turns out, Luke's teacher misunderstood "the memo" and the only restrictions we really have to make are peanut and eggs. The child has an allergy to the others, but the reaction is very minor. Phew. So, basically, I made a really big deal out of nothing. Thanks for listening. At least I'm a little more educated about food allergies now. Thanks to all of you who left such thoughtful and informative comments. L

Last night we took our kiddos to their Back to School Night to see classrooms & meet new teachers and new classmates. It was very cute and everyone was very nice. I will be able to rest easily at night knowing they're in a good place with good teachers.

While talking with one of the teachers, she asked me if I'd heard about the new dietary restrictions in her classroom -- this happens to be Luke's classroom. She went on to tell me that peanuts, all tree nuts, eggs, soy and all dairy are prohibited from the classroom.

My first reaction was, WHAT?!  What the heck is my kid going to eat and drink at school? His regular diet consists of staples like milk, yogurt, peanut butter, tofu, edemame, and various soy products. Of course fruits and vegetables too.

I get it. I'm a nurse, and I should be 100% sympathetic because I know there are some serious, dangerous health consequences associated with food allergies. And I know that the more a child is exposed to an allergen, the more serious their reaction can be. But if there is truly a kid out there that has a violent reaction to all of the food sources I just mentioned, I can't even imagine how paranoid the parents must feel when their child leaves their sight. I am really fortunate to have two healthy boys with no apparent allergies, and I understand the need to take precautions, but I just wonder if this is going a bit too far. I don't know the whole story, so I shouldn't really comment. And it's none of my business what their medical records say (although I wish I could take a look at them), or who their doctor is. I should follow the rules without question. But these restrictions are pretty limiting, and it's sort of a lot to ask of another parent, especially when alternative food sources tend to be more expensive and less readily available.

Also, the kid is going to be spending 3 8-hr days at school each week. That's 24 hrs of his life (minus nap-time) every week that he can't have any dairy, which, we know is important for brain and bone development.

To be honest, it's just going to be a challenge (and sort of a pain) to pack lunch for the guy. It seems that a lunch of chicken, carrot sticks with hummus and some blueberries falls in line with the guidelines. I guess I could throw in some crackers and sun butter, as well.

So, I'm calling out to all of you creative minds out there if you can give me some food suggestions, or direct me to some helpful websites. I'm hoping daycare will give us a list of acceptable food items, but until then I'd love your help. And if you are a parent with kids who have food allergies, I would love your suggestions and any input you might have about the issue.

And I do apologize if I've been offensive or insensitive during this post. Life is challenging enough with two little ones, and my superficial self just sees this as one more thing to think about.

Here are a couple of websites I've found so far...

Kids With Food Allergies

The Food Allergy And Anaphylaxis Network

Comments

[Andisbaby.blogspot.com]

Hazel is allergic to milk, eggs, peanuts and almonds. She had her first accidental exposure (to milk and possibly eggs in some store-bought, extra pretty cupcakes) this week. We were at the neighbors' house and there were a handful of kids all running around with these things and leaving them half-eaten everywhere. I have quite a few things to say about kids taking food and leaving it laying around, but those are rants for another day. Anyway, it was scary despite there being two nurses (my husband, plus the neighbor who is also the parent of a food allergy kid) present with epi-pens and Benadryl nearby.

I'm hoping that by the time Hazel starts school she'll be able to understand that she is NOT allowed to eat anything that I don't pack in her lunch. She knows already that she can't have eggs or cow milk or nuts, but the cupcakes were confusing because I've made vegan ones for her. So she thought all cupcakes were okay.

I'd also like to believe that in a school setting the kids aren't running around swapping food. If the kids are at their desks for lunch and snack time, I think that's reasonably safe. It's unreasonable to ask parents not to send stuff from that WHOLE list. Can you imagine what's left for vegetarian kids?

Now, peanuts. Peanuts, as I understand it, are the worst of the worst when it comes to food allergies. I can see banning them because there are kids who can go into anaphylactic (spelling?) shock just from smelling peanuts. Also, they're pretty unnecessary.

I'll try to think up some lunch options and fb them to you. It'll be hard, though... Miss H eats a lot of soy.

[Be Nice to Mama]

Andi, thanks for sharing, especially since you have firsthand experience with food allergies as a parent. Again, I hope I wasnt offensive in my post. I totally agree with you about peanuts. I have no problem giving those up because I know the dangers of being near those. And I hear you about kids leaving their food lying around. Luke will be in the 1-2 yr old class and that age group is so curious and gets into everything, so I imagine they have to be extra precautionary. It sounds like you know a lot about this stuff, I appreciate your input. Did Hazel have a reaction or was she okay? And did you find out about her allergy through an allergy test? Just curious... :)

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[Andisbaby.blogspot.com]

We found out about H's allergies because when she was tiny she spit up and screamed constantly and then around 3-4 months old she developed full-body eczema. So we had her tested. My steady diet of PB&J, cheese and eggs was wrecking havoc on the little nursing baby. And during this latest episode we gave her a dose of Benadryl right away, then gave her a second dose when her face started to look puffy. But she was fine in the end.

I thought about the school issue some more and discussed it with my husband. (And no, you weren't offensive at all.) It seems that food restrictions are the school's way of minimizing its own LIABILITY, but it doesn't necessarily minimize the RISK. It simply moves the liability to the parents, who are not experts.

The kids should not be eating each others' food. If that's the expectation in the classroom and it's what the teachers and aides monitor, the risk is very small.

On the other hand, if you create an atmosphere where you assume all foods are safe for all kids, and the situation isn't monitored that heavily, you create a much greater risk that a child will consume something dangerous that another's unknowing parent packed.

Most people with no food allergy experience don't know that dairy and soy are lurking in almost everything: lunch meat, crackers, chips, anything processed, non-dairy whipped topping... Yes, things can be labeled non-dairy and still contain milk proteins. Soy cheese and yogurts almost all contain milk.

Kids with extreme allergies can't even have food processed on shared equipment with their allergens. (Trader Joe's is the WORST place for shared equipment food.) I assume that your guidelines for lunches didn't include a warning about shared equipment. So you might pack Luke some hummus and carrots, which he might share with Tommy. Except the hummus was made on shared equipment with milk and eggs so Tommy swells up and has to go to the emergency room.

Sorry to have hijacked your blog here. I needed to think about this sooner or later, though. And I'm for allowing all foods (except peanuts... maybe even all nuts) and having the adults in the room make sure no one shares. Maybe that's extra work for the teacher, but I think it's the best and safest option.

[Gretchen Carlson]

Great post Lindsay! I don't have a ton of insight as the parent of 2 allergy free kiddos. My mom, who is a registered dietitian wrote an interesting article about allergies a while ago and I believe sees many clients with food related allergies and intolerance. Check out her article: http://www.seacoastonline.com/articles/20070729-LIFE-707290304http://www.seacoastonline.com/articles/20070729-LIFE-707290304

[Virginia Hamner]

Hey Lindsay :)

So as mama of a formerly-allergic to soy and dairy baby (Toby) (he's in the clear now) and as a lawyer, I can tell you that Andi has said it very well.

When Henry was in daycare for a brief stint when he was 18 months old, they did not permit peanut products. Simple thing to avoid, although certainly things processed with peanuts made it through so they were up front about the fact that if your child had a severe allergy, it might not be a fully safe environment. I think several nurses were on staff there.

At his preschool, they ate lunch together at tables, but had little placemats (cloth napkins) and a "strict" no-sharing rule. That was Montessori school, but even there 2 and 3 year olds were all up in each others' stuff (at first, they did learn not to be, which was a really good thing I think). His new school as much freer, and they just say straight out that they do not do anything to curb foods, so if your child is allergic, they can't accommodate him or her unless they can understand their allergies and know what to eat and not eat. It sounds tough, but it is a realistic approach. They don't front like it's a safe zone... They also don't let kids share food, and I believe all the snacks they provide are vegan since many of the kids are vegan (though soy, oh dear me!).

When I couldn't eat soy or dairy (or peanuts for a while out of caution) when nursing Toby (he pooped blood, it was charming) I came across this GREAT blog: http://funkyfoodallergies.blogspot.com/

The woman who writes it, Trisha, is a sweetheart and likes a challenge, so shoot her questions if you have them. You'll be making goodies to bring in for class in no time, rules and all :)

[Virginia Hamner]

PS - If there is a child with allergies in the classroom (even if they can't say who it is, they should tell you if there is), be sure to ask for a recipe from the mama if you are bringing stuff in. Teacher can facilitate this through notes - I bet the mama will kiss you for asking. That way you don't bring in something "safe" that in fact might not be! When Lukie has a special day and all that :)

[Be Nice to Mama]

Thanks for the comments -- Andi, Gretchen and Ginna. You two with kids who have food allergies have a really good outlook on the situation, and it seems as the kids get older, the more they can protect themselves. But still, Im sure its a little scary as a parent. Gretch, Ill check out the article. I dont know if youve seen my update, but as it turns out, the only allergies we have to really worry about are egg and peanut, which makes life a little easier. The no soy or dairy was going to be tough! Glad to hear I wasnt too offensive. L