Reactions

Food reactions are always so scary-especially when it is a little one who is having the reaction.  For us reactions can vary from stomach upset, urgent bathroom trips, hives, breathing difficulty and in one case shock requiring hospitalization.  Generally I can stem it by using Benadryl and we've thankfully never needed the Epipen that I carry everywhere.

It is so important to read labels.  I thought I had it DOWN with my son's allergies-and then Baby Girl had to go and throw me a curve ball.  She is allergic to green peas-easy, right? 

Not really-apparently many many gluten free items have pea protein added.  All the Kinnikinnick brand items I looked at today had pea protein....and I just found that it is also in Amy's GF/DF Mac & Cheese-I was so excited to have this for my kids to eat but no more (and I just bought 4 boxes!).  

Last week the kids devoured two boxes of this and Baby Girl started having hives and severe bathroom troubles....I couldn't figure out why.  I thought maybe they had mixed it up with the Dairy Cheese- Now I know. 

So READ LABELS Mamas!  

Top 8 Allergen Free Pre-School Snack List

I've always preferred to just supply my own food-I always have alternatives in my bag in case there isn't a safe food option for my kids.

BUT at our new Toddler Group the other parents said they wanted to be sure to bring only safe food for Baby Girl and another little boy who has food allergies in our class. Between the two of them we've covered most of the Top 8 allergens....

Baby Girl: Wheat, dairy, nuts, eggs & green peas. Friend Boy: peanuts, dairy, egg and soy.

His mom and I came up with a "safe" snack list of ideas for the other parents to bring. This group is 1 1/2 - 2 1/2 years old and so we have to avoid things that are also common choking hazards due to the preschool rules.

Here is the snack list we came up with, would love to add to this so any suggestions appreciated!

PLEASE REMEMBER TO CHECK LABELS!  Ingredients often change and you can't assume it was safe because it used to be!

• Fruit/berries/melons
• Veggies (except green peas!)
• Applesauce
• Hummus
• Olives
• Rice
• Beans
• So Delicious Coconut Milk/Yogurt (sold at PCC, Top Foods, Whole Foods and Safeway)
• Cereals: Rice Chex, Corn Chex, Kix, Trix
• Freeze dried fruit “chips” (such as the Costco Real Fruit Slices or Trader Joe’s packages.)
• Lundberg Brown Rice Cakes-salted or nonsalted-(Quaker Rice cakes are not safe)
• Jello/plain fruit gelatin
• Van's Free frozen waffles (marked Gluten & Dairy Free)

A few notes:

Please keep processed food packaging so we can check the ingredients.

Gluten-free Bisquick mix is easy for making muffins & biscuits and can be found at Safeway among other stores.

Please avoid adding margarine, mayonnaise, dressings as these often have dairy/egg in them unless specifically marked dairy/egg free.