As I mentioned when we purchased our generic epi-pens ^[1], both Andon and T have very strong peanut allergies. T’s is actually so bad that doctors have commented on several occasions his reaction from testing is the worst they have seen. The irony in that is he (and Andon) can eat items that were manufactured in a facility with nuts. I know some kids can’t even smell them for risk of going into anaphylactic shock. NO matter how bad you think you have it, there are others who have it even worst.

For the first few years of public school, T would sit at the peanut-free table. I realize that was for his own safety, but talk about alienating a kid! I trusted that he would know what to eat and touch. This may sound bad, but it was the other kids I didn’t trust. Kids nowadays think it’s funny to taunt one another with things like that and as horrible as that is, there was no way I could protect him in a situation like that other than to keep him separated during lunch.

Now with Andon in pre-school, I am actually lucky he’s not the only one with a peanut allergy! Another little girl in his class seems to be worse than him. I totally empathize with the mom too since I’ve been there with T throughout his 11 years.

As a pre-schooler, they get to take snacks in and our pre-school is VERY strict when it comes to nuts! I wish all schools were like this, honestly. I used to feel bad when we would go to T’s open houses and the teacher would announce that a student had a nut and egg allergy (which he has both and even more).

As soon as they would make the announcements, the other parents would sigh and seem annoyed. If you are one of those parents that react in that way, I understand the frustration BUT it’s my kids’ life we’re talking about. I don’t care if I inconvenience anyone :)

I should say there were those parents who knew this and went out of their way to make him special treats without eggs. Those parents pretty much rocked!

Back to the snacks…

Our pre-school didn’t just say “you can’t bring foods with nuts” they also gave us a list of suggested items that are safe so parents had several ideas to offer. I appreciated this so much because even with Andon having a nut allergy, his sensitivity isn’t as severe for the items are are produced in a facility with nuts (he can have plain M&M’s, for example). So, I needed to make sure I stayed in compliance with his snacks as well for the other children’s safety.

1. Fresh Fruit
2. Pretzels
3. Goldfish
4. Mott’s Fruit Snacks
5. Oreo Cookies
6. Teddy Grahams
7. Raisins
8. Lay’s Chips
9. Sun Chips
10. Fruit Leather

If you need ideas in case you are faced with a similar snack restriction for your child’s school or other activities for sports or church, this is a great list. All credit goes to the Liberty Heights Preschool ^[2] staff!

And, I’ll throw this one in since Andon (and mommy) loves ‘em. #11, Kashi TLC Cereal Bars. No traces of anything nut in those and lots of goodness!

Do you have other suggestions for Peanut-Free Safe Snacks?

Photo Credit:Be Inspired Designs ^[3]