Today, 1 in 17 children, or 3 to 4 million kids, are affected by allergies to foods such as milk, peanuts and tree nuts, ingredients commonly found in their favorite treats.
Children with food allergies can enjoy picnics, sports and all their favorite activities just as much as other kids with a little extra planning and vigilance. The following tips will help ensure all children feel safe and included during school events and festivities
1. Remember children’s emotional needs and be careful about drawing unnecessary attention to their food allergies.
2. Provide a variety of delicious, appetizing looking snacks that all children can eat and share.
3. For young children, consider attending classroom and out-of-school picnics in order to check ingredients of all food being served, and to resolve safety concerns. If you can’t stay for the entire event, be sure to stay long enough to check the food ingredients.
4. Make safe-food suggestions to the teacher/host well in advance of the party.
5. Be sure your child’s emergency medicines are with an adult trained to properly administer them.
6. Read and re-read all labels and manufacturing practices to ensure there are no allergens present in any foods to be served.
Taking treats to an event? Consider making chocolate cupcakes with vanilla frosting that even children with allergies can eat. Try the recipe from Divvies Bakery that excludes peanuts, tree nuts, eggs and milk yourself or just grab some from the bakery.
Lori Sandler, founder Divvies Bakery.
