Peanut Allergies

If this were my child I would 1st carry an enzyme called protease with me at all times. Incase of an allergic reaction open 1 capsule on the tongue to stop the allergic reaction. Protease goes after foreign protien in the body which is what the allergic reaction is. 2cnd I would join a health food co-op and order some allgery free snacks. This is a less expensive way to have pre made things on hand and still give him the "package"

Well I am not sure what kind of package snacks he might be able to eat. But on the dinning out problem if you are not sure always ask. I work at a camp and have come in to situations were we have had to accomadate children with peanut allergies and many other allergies. There are some puddings that dont have peanuts or come in contact with peanuts i will look more at work for things that might help and get back with you on this one. M.

J.- There is a website at www.divvies.com that has peanut free, tree nut free, egg free & dairy free snacks available to order over the internet, delivered right to your door! There is also a restaurant in Royal Oak called Free that has a HUGE offering of allergy-free food (it was originally developed for the wheat-allergic crowd).
If you're heading to a regular restaurant, don't be afraid to ask about their cooking practices-most eateries don't want a unfortunate reaction by a customer (or a lawsuit!)
By the by, Martha Stewart is launching a peanut-free/allergy free section on her website (www.marthastewart.com), as well as in her spin-off 'Everyday Foods'. It was one of the prize-winning ideas from one of her staff members, and was voted on by the American public (apparently more people voted in Martha's contest than in seven of the "super Tuesday" primary elections combined!)
I'm sure that your pediatrician has advised you to carry an epi-pen with you at all times, or at least Benadryl to counteract the reaction and buy you some time (depending upon the severity of the reaction).
Good Luck, and keep me posted (I'm at ____@____.com)
Grins-L. M in Almont

J., Honey, There is so much he can have! If you have a natural food store in your area, go there. Also READ! In your regular grocery, there are tons of products, most large stores have an allergy or specialty section with nut free foods. On the back or side it will tell you if it is made in a nut free environment, there are lots of cookies, fruit snacks even granola bars made by co.'s in nut free environment. I have a (grown now) dh with a nut allergy. Also had children with a variety of allergies in my daycare. We had a notebook, took a day, went 2 3 local stores and wrote down all the things we could have. It is time well spent, You can do it. There are sites on the internet for those with nut allergies, put in "peanut free foods" You will be amazed! K.

My daugher has had many allergies including Wheat was the biggest allergy but not peanuts but i know this worked for her. http://www.naet.com/ we have done this treatment with her and she can tolerate some wheat which she can have those treats at school. I know peanuts are harder it depends on the severity but you could give someone a call in your area. it is worth investigating.

I am happy to say this is an allergy I have not had to deal with. However, I know a few people who have. I hope your son is one of the lucky ones who will grow out of it!

I would recommend that you ask your friends to take your son's allergy into consideration when sending snacks with their children. Either they should send snacks that are not harmful to your son, or help pay for snacks that you buy or make for all the kids.

In shopping with my friend, whose son has whey allergies, I know it can be difficult to shop for someone with a peanut allergy.

As for dining out, the only thing I would know to do is let the wait staff know your son has a peanut allergy. Maybe check out the restaurant online, if possible, for nutrition info?

Hope this helps.

N. D.

When dining out tell the wait staff of his allergy, ALL places around here make the effort to make sure it is peanut free.Our childs school is peanut free, some safe snacks are preztels,fruit snacks (not Brachs),Gerbers are good for little ones,graham crackers,Cheese its have bags called Grip its they are safe to have fun packaging and small bite sizes pieces

My son & niece have peanut, egg & milk allergies....so I know how hard it is to be in that situation. With a peanut allergy, there are still so many options. Oreos, animal crackers, fruit roll ups/fruit snacks, graham crackers or sticks, cookies, cupcakes, pretzels, pita bread....they make soy 'nut' butter that tastes alot like peanut butter. You can find lots of ideas and alternatives (even in the single packet type foods.) When I get back to the office, I will get a list together and post... Mayo Clinic has a 'chef' card that you can take to the restaurant for the server to give to the chef. Many restaurants will make special accommodations for allergic guests. Red Robin & Maggiano's are two that come to mind. That being said, many others will also do it - just have to explain issues with cross contamination and feel comfortable with them.

ADDITIONAL INFO (you might find interesting/helpful - or maybe you're already familiar with them, in which case, they still may be beneficial to others):

Here are a couple sites that I found helpful (the first link also has a sign up to get alerts when foods are recalled due to undeclared allergens):

www.foodallergy.org
www.foodallergynetwork.com

There is an article in the following link that is good, also a video you can
click on which is also informational:
http://www.cnn.com/2007/HEALTH/conditions/11/12/milk.alle...

Also, another link to a food allergy article (note - there are SEVERAL links on this site following the article):
http://www.cnn.com/HEALTH/library/DS/00082.html

And finally, Mayo Clinic article 'Strategies for dining out with food allergies' (includes a link for a chef card to clearly show allergies and advise on how to handle eating out)and another site with free restaurant cards to print:
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/food-allergy/HQ00709
http://www.foodallergybuddy.com/

I just tried to respond and my computer crashed, so I hope this doesn't post twice. My four year-old son is not allergic to peanuts but he has several other food allergies and, as a precaution, we still don't allow him to have nuts. I try to stay away from the things that you are referring to as "special" snacks for the most part, and when I do give them, I try not to make a big deal out of them or elevate their status. Instead, when I give my son fruit, I comment on how sweet and juicy and delicious it is. And when other kids eat things he can't eat because of his allergies or because I just don't let him (he has never had candy or soda; he gets things like goldfish crackers, pretzels, cookies and tortilla chips in limited quantities and on limited occasions) I simply tell him he can't eat the food because he is allergic or because we don't eat those kinds of food in our house. This is not something that is negotiated, it is just the way it is and the way it has always been. I know he'll eat candy one day, but I figure the longer he goes without eating it the better. He does not go anywhere without his epi-pen (actually, we always have 2 with us) and benadryl. You do not want to be in a situation where he is accidentally exposed and you are not prepared. Oh, I should add that when you do talk to waitstaff, you should explain in no uncertain terms that, if exposed to peanuts or peanut products, your child could die. Just saying "he has an allergy" may not be enough for them to understand the severity of the situation.

I am a chef and cook...I know that when cooking and you have made it clear to your waiter or waitress that your child or you have an allergy to peanuts there are procedures that are gone through a kitchen that will help protect that person and things will be made seperate with clean tools ect... grills cleaned or reserved for people just like that. Eating out isn't as bad as it seems.
Packaging stuff is differnt. Like all your m & m stuff is made on the same convayers belt and it tells you on the package made in same area as the peanut m & m's. Packages will always tell you.
I cook for a school...I don't do anything with peanuts at all, because I know kids there have allergies...I pay attention to labels ect...If the child or parent asks me I will tell them I don't know and check so I can give them the answer that is needed. But when shopping I am very careful in that area.
Lots of health food places carry snacks and stuff for people that are allergic to peanuts. Find and talk with them...it is more expensive, but they are getting snacks. I have friends that sware by these places, health food ect...
I hope I have helped a little.

Hi J. my son also has peanut allergies. He is almost 4 now. Let them know when you go out, restaurants do not want to be responsible and are usually extremely careful about this. I also make sure I have an epipen on me at all times. As far as snacks go you do have to read all ingredients, and be careful. My son like little packs of cheez its, chips, fruit snacks, grahm crackers, vanilla wafers to name a few. It does take a little longer at the grocery store, but you really must check the ingredients. Usually if it contains something that could cause an allergic reaction it is listed in bold letters at the very end of the ingredients. I find it hardest to deal with at Halloween, Easter and Birthday parties. Good luck.

My 7 year old son also has a peanut allergy (he was diagnosed at 20 months). We eat out fairly often, and haven't had any problems so far. I call in advance to ask what kind of oils they use in food prep. Most restaurants are very accomodating. We always carry Benadryl and of course his EpiPen just in case! As for snacks, the Enjoy Life brand is allergen free. They have cookies, granola type bars,cereal, etc. There are also lots of other packaged options. I have a couple of lists of things I've sent to school and baseball if you are interested:)

Your local health food store has tons of peanut free foods, most even taste like whatever the food would with peanut (oil,etc) in it. Very tasty options, I would check it out.

It appears to me that the allergy situation nowadays puts parents in the same category as parents who have to cope with their child having type 1 diabetes (childhood)I would go to one of their sites and see how they have developed ideas over many years to help their chldren having to eat so radically different than all their friends. There are also great books written by parents who have gone through raising a child with diabetes. I think it's a matter of attitude with the kids and humor, as well as firmness. Good Luck!