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A Peanut-Free Plea With a Side of Lunch Ideas

A Peanut-Free Plea With a Side of Lunch Ideas

by 13 Comments

There was a time when you could find me rolling my eyes at those crazy parents who wanted everybody to be mindful of their kids’ peanut allergies. I mean seriously, your kid, your problem. Fast forward a few years and it’s my kids. My problem. (Though Big has miraculously outgrown his food allergies—yay!)

But I’m not the only one. I have more friends than I can count in the same peanut-free boat. And it’s a big discussion as parents try to figure out how to navigate back-to-school lunches. I’ve heard grumbling. Questions. Is all this fuss really necessary?

I know…it’s different than when we were kids. Allergies are out of control. I can’t explain it, but I am asking you to try to understand it.

You see peanut butter and think, “Easy lunch.” I see peanut butter and think, “Poison. Life-threatening poison.” You see trail mix and think, “Party snack.” I see trail mix and think, “Poison. Life-threatening poison.” You see mini-peanut-butter cups and think, “Goody bag.” I see mini-peanut-butter cups and think, “Ooh those look delicious…but they’re poison. Life-threatening poison.”

As the parent of kids with allergies, I most definitely understand the responsibility is mine. I need to teach my kids what they can and can’t eat. I need to painstakingly read labels. Alert caretakers, teachers, parents at play dates. My kids. My problem.

As the parent of kids without allergies, you certainly don’t have to worry (unless, of course, the school forces you to). Here’s where my plea comes in. Please, please think twice when there are other kids around—at parties, play dates, school. Because let’s face it. We can tell our little ones that they’re different, that they can’t do what all their friends do or they’ll get very, very sick. And they may even say they understand. But when was the last time your toddler or preschooler showed self restraint? (After all, there’s a reason we childproof cabinets that house poisonous chemicals.)

Call me crazy (you wouldn’t be entirely wrong), but my picky, plain family eats well without peanut products every day, so here are some ideas to help you survive those peanut-free moments.

Cold Pasta Salad
• Think fun shapes, chopped veggies (tomato, cucumber, peppers) and an oil-based salad dressing

Rotisserie Chicken
• Throw it in pasta salad
• Mix with teriyaki or BBQ sauce & include a roll
• Mix it with a little mayo, celery and sliced grapes and include a pita pocket
• Mix it with rice and fresh salsa or brocolli

Bagel/Tortilla/Roll Sandwich
• Ham or salami, cheese & mustard
• Brie & grape or apple slices
• Cream cheese & jelly
• Cottage cheese & dried fruit

Dip Platter
• Pita pieces or chips, veggies and hummus
• Turkey slices, veggies, pretzels and ranch
• Taco meat/cheese and chips
NOTE: I cook carrots slightly to make them easier to chew…still good to dip

Snacks
• Yogurt
• Dry cereal (no Honey Nut Cheerios…wish our former daycare provider had realized “nut” in the product name is a tell-tale sign)
• Fresh fruit, dried fruit
• Edamame- plain or tossed with a bit of salad dressing
• Use veggie peeler to make strips of carrot & cucumber
• Fresh veggies (sugar snap peas, baby carrots, cucumber slices, olives)
• Homemade trail mix- pretzels, dried fruit, dry cereal, goldfish/bunnies, M&Ms

And for the more adventurous eaters (and chefs), check out more ideas on Parenting and Wellsphere.

Please share your favorite peanut-free ideas too. I’d love to add some new ones…that empty lunchbox is my nemesis some days!

Photo by duncan from Flickr.

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Comments

  1. mini pizzas= bagels or English muffins
    Quesadillas
    fruit kabobs
    I am always looking for fresh new ideas too. Thanks for sharing

    Reply

    • These are great. Love the fruit kabob idea. My friend did those at a birthday party and they were a hit with the kids and adults. Thanks for the ideas!

      Reply

  2. Amy, Thanks for this. Perfect timing as we are struggling with this, my daughter has a kidnergarten classmate that is allergic not only to ingesting peanuts and tree nuts, but even the oil/residue which can produce an anaphylactic response…so, if my kid eats peanuts, and then goes to the playground and touches the monkey bars where that girl is playing = disaster. My kids are the kids that eat PB&J every day for lunch, and so we are making adjustments. One thing that has worked for us is soynut butter…and, my daughter likes it. So, we can still send her to school every day with “PB&J” and not worry about putting the other child in danger. Love your blog, keep up the good work!! -Kim

    Reply

    • Kim, I feel so lucky that my kids allergies aren’t that severe, but I can imagine how scary it must be for those parents. It sounds like you’re being really thoughtful and I’m sure they appreciate it! Thanks for the kind words and good luck with the new school year.

      Reply

  3. Amy, bless you! Thank you for posting this. As the mom of two (count them!)highly peanut/tree nut allergic kids, I really appreciate your words. Our kids have enjoyed cream cheese and jelly sandwiches as an alternative to traditional pb&j.

    Reply

    • Yum, I love cream cheese & jelly sandwiches. I know your little ones are so smart about asking if they can eat something before diving in…you do a wonderful job of teaching them and keeping them safe!

      Reply

  4. Yikes! I have been so insensitive to the needs of my friends! Thanks for the reminder, Amy, and I will certainly try to think about the types of food I bring around other children. Let’s keep everyone safe:)

    Reply

    • Oh gosh, Mary. I don’t think it’s insensitivity. I’ve had this conversation with friends in the neighborhood, at work and even family in the last few weeks and almost everyone I’ve spoken with doesn’t really understand the fear that comes with nut allergies in particular. And honestly, we all have our worries, so if there’s something we don’t have to think about, we don’t.

      But since it’s been a hot topic around going back to school and packing good lunches, I thought it was a good time to raise awareness. Yes, let’s keep those kiddos safe!

      Reply

  5. It’s a tough call, really — I have sympathy for those whose kids have severe allergies, and can’t imagine how hard it is. I certainly approve the idea, particularly in preschools and daycares (when children are too young to adequately self-police), of excluding nuts and nut products. We substitute sunflower butter very frequently for our peanut butter addict. However, it can be frustrating to realize that organic fruit granola bar you’ve purchased for your 3-year-old is going to be confiscated at school because its label says it may have been processed in a facility where nuts might have been present. But…that being said…we’ve adjusted, and what really helps is just making all your kids’ food, as much as possible, from scratch. Check out some of the adventures we’ve had with (nut-free!) lunches, dinners, and food in general: http://www.redroundorgreen.wordpress.com

    Reply

  7. M&Ms are highly cross contaminated and are
    Not considered peanut free candy for people with anaflaxis to peanuts.

    Reply

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