Class Snack

Group school snack is not the place for a kid with food allergies. This week we got an email that next week was our week to provide snack for the class. This was quite the surprise because our kid can’t participate in group snack- every day we pack her a morning snack, lunch, and an afternoon snack because we decided that was the safest way. 

Before this year started I talked with her teacher about options for snack time. There were three choices-

1. We pack a completely separate snack for our kid every day
2. The whole class changes their snack menu so that it is safe for everyone (between my kid and the other kid with allergies this means: no dairy, no eggs, no garlic, and no tree nuts)
3. We provide replacements for the things my kid can’t have (dairy free cheese, yogurt alternatives, sunbutter, etc), but she still gets to still eat similar things as the rest of the class

Last year, in the twos class, they decided to completely revamp the snack menu and my kid was able to fully and safely participate with the rest of the class. It was nice- my kid felt included, we didn’t have to spend time packing extra food every day. On the other hand, I did have to let go of having complete control of what she ate and trust that everyone who was picking out food for her could read labels appropriately. That was a stressful first few weeks. But then it was great! She never felt left out! 

This year, the big kids class decided to have us pack her own snack instead. It’s a little sad that she’s left out of yet another food related activity, but she doesn’t seem to mind too much. And she knows that her special snack is over to the side and that she’s not supposed to eat the same stuff as her friends.

So, having to prepare an individual, separate snack for her daily for 3 months, I was pretty upset that we were expected to not only bring snack for the whole class, but bring snack that my kid can’t even eat for the whole class!

Guys. I know toddlers love cheese. But it does not need to be included in every meal.

You’d be hard pressed to make a snack list worse for my kid. I was so upset that I took a convenience sample poll of everyone I talked to in 24 hours of what they would do in our situation. 95% of respondents completely agreed with my completely unbiased proposal- we should definitely not be responsible for group snack if our kid doesn’t participate. 1 respondent said he would provide snack but only safe stuff- which okay, yeah, that would be taking the high road. Rarely, when my kids are involved, do I feel like taking the high road.

It turns out the email was a mistake from a teacher recently back from maternity leave who didn't realize we were left off the snack list. Which, okay, mistakes happen. But she should know that my kid has her own snacks... and that she has food allergies... right? Like, every adult who works with my child should know this, yes? But overlooking that slightly terrifying concern, it turns out my fury was slightly premature.

In case you are in charge of snacks for toddlers and are looking for SAFE SNACKS that are free of the Top 9 allergens- I got you covered. If I was a nicer person and decided to give food to all the kids despite my kid being left out all year, here’s what I would have provided (milk, egg, garlic, tree nut, peanut free):

• Mild garlic free salsa and soft tortillas
• Avocado

• Pineapple
• Plain crackers

• Multicolored peppers
• Cucumber
• Vegan cream cheese

• Granola (checking the ingredients to make sure it’s tree nut free!)
• Vegan yogurt
• Berries

• Pickles (yuck… I guess?)
• Round crackers
• Sun butter

Food allergies can be so restrictive! But we’ve been living with them for 2 years now- I know great, safe options! You just have to ask.