Peanut free school? - Page 2 - Big Big Forums

Jenefer3 · 09-09-2009, 11:56 AM

I do agree that the child (and his/her parents) need to know that the world will not bend to their needs. I also agree that it's probably a liability thing for the school. The school needs to find out how bad the allergy really is (as in hearing it from a doctor and not the parent - some parents over-exaggerate) and go from there. They may be able to do a peanut-free eating area.

Peanut allergies aren't just something as simple as "don't eat it if it bothers you". It's the scent on someone's breath or hands that can trigger a deadly allergic reaction. Like Urban Cowgirl said, she lived next door to someone who would swell up when U.C. opened the jar in her own home. It wasn't like she was over at the lady's house putting it in her mouth. It was the scent in the air.

My son can't have a lot of foods and he knows what not to eat and if he's not sure, he'll just pass on it. He won't have an issue if someone eats broccoli or pineapple and he smells it or touches it. His issue is with digesting it. Not all "allergies" are with digestion.

krisharry · 09-09-2009, 12:34 PM

Perhaps there is a way to find out more info as to what type of PA the child has. It may be airborne where the situation can really turn deadly quickly. I know that it is a sensitive issue for many. Our schools have been nutfree for years now. I know some people have tried the sunbutter which is supposed to taste/feel similar to peanut butter. We have never tried it though so I'm not sure. Good luck. I hope that everyone can work together to find a solution that works best for the particular situation.

Licchl05 · 09-09-2009, 12:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by magenta

Our elementary school went peanut free this year.
There is a student who just entered 1st grade who is allergic to peanuts. Are any of your schools peanut free? We have to start reading labels while shopping. I am not complaining, just curious as to how common this is nowadays.

Any tips on brands would be appreciated. (Besides fresh fruits & cheese)The school sent home a list of peanut free foods, but alot of it I do not think is good for lunch.

The list contains Sugar cookies, glazed donouts, hershey kisses, chocolate teddy grahams, Oreos, Saltines, chips....These I do not send w/ my kids to school for lunch.

Anyone with some knowledge would be appreciated. My kids do not like lunchmeats (I perfer them not to have all the sodiom anyway) Peanutbutter sandwiches are OUT! Of course, being a staple of my second graders life, is going to be challenging for him more than me! lol

As I said in my previous post my babysitter's son is allergic to EVERYTHING, and let me tell you it was a complete pain in the arse to figure out what to take to her house for Chloe to have for lunch/dinner. I would often pack her lunches with crackers, ham lunchmeat fresh fruit applesauce etc. If she had mac n cheese she had to make sure not to touch the baby sitter's son before washing her hands. it's hard to pack the lunch for school i had it a bit easier because i could take over chicken nuggets pierogies fish sticks etc.

I feel bad for the poor kid and his little brother. the little one isn't allergic to anything but the mom feels bad giving him 'non safe' food the older one can't have. She's totally freaking out about school...overprotective which i totally understand with her son having been rushed to the ER countless times due to food allergies.

I'm still perplexed about some of the foods on the list from your school, only because i know the babysitters son has severe allergies and he eats oreo's saltines and teddy grahams *shrugs* I thought they were just banning peanut foods??

Urban Cowgirl · 09-09-2009, 12:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by krisharry

Perhaps there is a way to find out more info as to what type of PA the child has. It may be airborne where the situation can really turn deadly quickly. I know that it is a sensitive issue for many. Our schools have been nutfree for years now. I know some people have tried the sunbutter which is supposed to taste/feel similar to peanut butter. We have never tried it though so I'm not sure. Good luck. I hope that everyone can work together to find a solution that works best for the particular situation.

Now that you mention it. A friend was just telling me that she eats th sun flower seed butter instead of peant butter. She has developed a nut allergy as she has aged and it was an easy transition for her to go from PB to the sun flower butter.

If our school ever goes nut free, I will have to remember to try that!

krisharry · 09-09-2009, 12:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Licchl05

As I said in my previous post my babysitter's son is allergic to EVERYTHING, and let me tell you it was a complete pain in the arse to figure out what to take to her house for Chloe to have for lunch/dinner. I would often pack her lunches with crackers, ham lunchmeat fresh fruit applesauce etc. If she had mac n cheese she had to make sure not to touch the baby sitter's son before washing her hands. it's hard to pack the lunch for school i had it a bit easier because i could take over chicken nuggets pierogies fish sticks etc.

I feel bad for the poor kid and his little brother. the little one isn't allergic to anything but the mom feels bad giving him 'non safe' food the older one can't have. She's totally freaking out about school...overprotective which i totally understand with her son having been rushed to the ER countless times due to food allergies.

I'm still perplexed about some of the foods on the list from your school, only because i know the babysitters son has severe allergies and he eats oreo's saltines and teddy grahams *shrugs* I thought they were just banning peanut foods??

I think the op is saying the oreos, teddy grahams, etc were on the safe list but she didn't send those with her kids. Perhaps, she is looking for healthier alternatives?

magenta · 09-09-2009, 01:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by krisharry

I think the op is saying the oreos, teddy grahams, etc were on the safe list but she didn't send those with her kids. Perhaps, she is looking for healthier alternatives?

Exactly. The school turns down their noses at "junk food" but the list of safe foods they sent home is basically a list of "junk food".

Licchl05 · 09-09-2009, 01:31 PM

OH! okay that makes more sense LOL

krisharry · 09-09-2009, 01:33 PM

I would think things like string cheese, yogurt, gogurt, raisins, dried fruit could be good for lunches. Maybe sunchips? Not sure on those.

Licchl05 · 09-09-2009, 02:00 PM

carrot and celery sticks...chloe LOVES those!

BeanieLuvR · 09-09-2009, 02:50 PM

I really think it would depend on the severity of the peanut allergy. My son has celiac disease which means he can't eat gluten. If he eats gluten he has cramping and diarrhea. He knows what he can eat or not eat but the thing is if he comes into contact with gluten there is no immediate danger to his life. I believe with a peanut allergy people can die from contact with it. They have to carry an epipen with them to use. I honestly can see both sides of this. I wouldn't be happy getting a list of foods that I can put in my child's lunch but if I was the mother of the child I wouldn't want my kid around peanuts. Here is a good article I found on peanut allergies.

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/peanut-allergy/DS00710

BeanieLuvR · 09-09-2009, 02:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by krisharry

I would think things like string cheese, yogurt, gogurt, raisins, dried fruit could be good for lunches. Maybe sunchips? Not sure on those.

Those are the type of things I send in my son's lunch.