Food allergy moms - and preschool snack time suggestions

Can some parents help who have children with food allergies. I need some suggestions for more "fun" snacks for DD.

The parents (it is a co-op so the participating parent brings snack for the class) often bring in homemade muffins, cornbread, goldfish, teddy grahams, pirates booty etc. I sent DD today with cheerios and a banana - of course she ate it but was a bit upset. I would like to send her with something a bit more exciting so she isn't so upset when she sees others eating something more fun (there are birthdays coming up meaning cupcakes etc) or tempted to sneak her friends snack. I was told she will be on this diet for at a minimum of 1-2 months if not longer. The teacher said she was a bit down at snack time today when she saw the other children having pretzels - and she said to the teacher - I want them but I don't want to get hives so I'm not allowed to have them. So I want to give her something she will enjoy.

Her diet includes - no citrus, no diary, no eggs, no peanut or tree nuts, preservatives, no dyes, no flavorings (basically no processed foods - with the exception that we can "try" bread that says parve).

Also if anyone has meal suggestions - I'm having a hard time figuring out things like breakfast b.c she likes yogurts, cheese, citrus, oatmeal for breakfast - and this morning complained she was hungry after the cheerios and banana.

Re: Food allergy moms - and preschool snack time suggestions

i'm not an allergy mom, but can you get her plain steel cut or regular oatmeal and make it with water? if she can have honey, you can give her some of that or mix in some fruit that's ok. there's a lot more out there than citrus.

how about homemade granola - that way, you can control what's in it (rolled oats, no nuts, dried fruit without preservatives, etc.) but it's still a little fun for a snack - smitten kitchen has a recipe that you can use as a starting point.

since you mentioned it, you can also make homemade cornbread and use applesauce (the natural kind) and oil instead of eggs and butter.

i would also try to find some vegan food blogs - they should have a lot of recipes for non-dairy, non-egg foods, and will probably list some safe products to buy, including snacks.

can she have popcorn? if so, she could have plain popcorn or popcorn with a little mild seasoning on it. i know this is a choking hazard up until a certain age though so i would check that before offering her popcorn.

Re: Food allergy moms - and preschool snack time suggestions

Hi Chris

This is the cook book that i found for Jake

The Food Allergy Mama's Baking Book.
Great Dairy, egg and nut free treats for the whole family kelly rudnicki

there are some great receipts that jake loves. i got it from amazon.

kids with food allergies they are on FB is good.

go to whole foods and trader joes and fairway and just read labels.

Re: Food allergy moms - and preschool snack time suggestions

I'm a food allergy mom, but I'm BFing so I feel her pain DS just started on food recently, so we're not anywhere close to your situation, but maybe I can help with food ideas.

Is she allergic to all those things listed, or is she on the Feingold diet or something? I'm a little confused because she said she would only be on the diet for another month or two (or did I misunderstand?).

On days that her class will have cupcakes, you can make her some of her own. Google "depression cake" and you will find some recipes that will work with her diet. Can she not have ANY processed foods, even if it fits with her diet? Pretty much 99% of the foods I eat (even processed) don't have preservatives, dyes, flavorings, and they would work with her diet. I've had to eliminate all dairy, egg, soy, tree nuts, peanuts, sesame seeds, fish & shellfish.

ETA: For breakfast you can make pancakes and substitute applesauce for eggs. TJ's and WF have mix that's okay with her diet. I buy Rudi's Organic bread at WF or Stop & Shop, that should work for her. Instead of PB&J, I use sunflower seed butter & jelly. I eat (and give DS) toast with Earth's Balance Soy & Dairy Free buttery spread and rasberry fruit preserves, we both love it. TJ's sells organic popcorn, the only ingredients are organic corn, olive oil & sea salt.

What about veggie chips when the other kids are having pretzels? TJ's sells other kinds of chips too that should work.

FM at any time if you need more ideas.

Message edited 3/9/2011 9:39:13 PM.

Re: Food allergy moms - and preschool snack time suggestions

I *think* these cookies would work for you if you are looking to make her a "treat"...if the batter is too dry, add a half cup of applesauce

dee-lish oat cookies

Re: Food allergy moms - and preschool snack time suggestions

To answer all the above -

She has had unexplained hives - it is believed to be to something she is eating - so they put her on a very strict very limited diet (no egg, no diary, no citrus, no preservatives, dyes, no processed foods etc). The concern is that it could be an additive if it isn't one of the major foods. I was told for now - to limit fruit to basically apples and bananas. We can expand in a little bit - but to really cut back for now. Which makes it really hard - I was told try -cheerios (since she seems to okay on them), apples, bananas, fresh meats - like plain chicken breast, pork or steaks. No seafood. Bread (parve only in 2-3 days). Then things like fresh veggies and to steam them plain- we are doing carrots, broccoli, and string beans so far.

Right now we are on Cheerios - but bread I was told I could "try" in 2 or 3 days IF she doesn't have hives in between (they appear to be disappearing) - she hasn't had any today only a little rashy on a corner of her mouth. I don't know if oatmeal is okay b.c he said not to give her oatmeal which she usually eats for breakfast so not sure IF I can do the rolled or not. I would think so - but not 100% so I will ask the allergist when I speak with him next.

As far as the fruit snacks those sound good - but do they have any preservatives? food dyes? etc in it? I have never given them to her - she usually eats fresh fruits.

- Thank you I will definitely try out that book!!!

If he okays the oatmeal or granola I will definitely try that b.c it sounds good.

Re: Food allergy moms - and preschool snack time suggestions

I have a few food allergy cookbooks that you can borrow if you want. FM me your address and I'll get them in the mail to you tomorrow or Saturday.

Re: Food allergy moms - and preschool snack time suggestions

Regards to Parve you have to be careful b.c it won't contain dairy but it might contain Eggs. I have found that on a number of occasions so just double check.

The organic fruit snacks might be better made by Annie's. They have 3 different flavors just an idea. They sell them at target not cheap but an idea.

Honestly what i had to do was just go to whole foods or wild by nature and start reading labels. don't forget that there are a number of different ways to say milk (whey, casien, just for example)

Re: Food allergy moms - and preschool snack time suggestions

Re: Food allergy moms - and preschool snack time suggestions

on the dried fruit, it depends - i know they have apricots with preservatives and ones without so i would look at the labels. TJ's also has freeze-dried fruits, including bananas, which could be a fun snack for her so long as there are no additives - like the astronaut food version of banana chips - telling her that will probably make it extra fun! good luck!

ETA: i bet you can also find organic apple chips, which would be fun too.

Message edited 3/10/2011 8:14:08 PM.