How to Pack Healthy School Lunches for Multiple Food Allergies
Packing school lunches for children with multiple food allergies can seem daunting, but with some planning and creativity, it is possible to make lunches that are nutritious, allergy-friendly and appealing. Here are some tips for packing healthy and safe lunches for children with several food allergies.
Know the Allergies
The first step is to know exactly what foods your child cannot eat. Make a list of all the allergens and keep it handy when shopping and packing lunches. Share this list with your child’s school as well so they are aware of what foods must be avoided. Some common food allergens are peanuts, tree nuts, milk, eggs, soy, wheat, fish, and shellfish. But there may be other foods your child reacts to. Pinpointing the specific items to omit is essential.
Read Labels Carefully
When shopping for lunch foods and snacks, scrutinize the ingredient lists carefully. Words like “may contain traces of” can indicate cross-contamination of allergens in a facility. Depending on the severity of your child’s allergies, these foods may need to be avoided as well. Call manufacturers if you have any questions about ingredients or production. Being ultra-vigilant about labels is key to keeping allergens out of lunch boxes.
Stock Up on Safe Foods
Shop for foods that you know are safe for your child. Purchase a variety of fruits and vegetables, as produce is generally hypoallergenic. Meat, rice, corn, potatoes, and other root vegetables are also typically well tolerated. Read the labels and check the ingredients for each product, but build up a base of go-to allergy-friendly foods to pull from. You should use some of your foster parent pay for grocery shopping if you are a foster carer.
Make Food Fun and Appealing
Cut sandwiches into interesting shapes with cookie cutters. Include dippers like baby carrots or celery with nut-free dips or hummus. Use divided containers to offer a bento box-style lunch. Add in a few allergy-free snack foods like corn chips, popcorn or fruit snacks. The more visually appealing the foods, the more likely kids are to eat them.
Prep Ahead When Possible
Washing and prepping veggies and fruit ahead of time saves busy morning time. Cook extra chicken, turkey, or potatoes at dinner to reuse for lunches. Consider occasionally making a double batch of allergy-friendly muffins or other baked goods on the weekend to have grab-and-go snacks ready. The more you can prep in advance, the easier lunch packing will be.
Keeping Lunches Safe
Be sure to thoroughly clean cooking surfaces, lunch boxes, and containers to avoid cross-contamination. Have a designated allergy-friendly area in the kitchen if possible. Use stickers, labels, or other identifiers to make sure your child’s food does not get mixed up with others’. Provide wet wipes for cleaning hands before and after eating. Instruct children never to trade or share food. Being vigilant about safety is vital for managing multiple allergies.
Communicate with the School
Have a plan in place with your child’s school about managing allergies. Provide the nurse’s office with emergency medications and instructions. Educate teachers and staff about allergy avoidance and recognize the symptoms of reactions. Set up procedures for storing safe snacks, washing hands and managing food in classrooms. Maintain open communication to ensure everyone understands how to keep your child safe.
If you stay positive, focused and organized, you can develop great school lunchtime habits even with multiple dietary restrictions. Most importantly, reassure your child that their allergies are manageable and that tasty, fun school lunches are possible. With everyone’s participation, it can be done!
