Offer Safe Snacks

Sure, you might find that I occasionally offer up goldfish snacks or go-gurts to those who can have cow’s milk in my family. But more often than not, I stick to safe snacks all around. Why? Well, why not?

“Allergy-friendly” snacks tend to get a bad rap. Like, they can’t possibly taste as good because they’re lacking ingredients and I must be depriving my allergy-free kids.

Wrong! Just because something is allergy-safe doesn’t mean it can’t be every bit as fun or tasty (Hello! Abe’s Muffins.) Allergy safe snacks just mean I get to keep everyone happy and healthy at the same time. Plus, I won’t drive myself crazy chasing after sticky, unsafe fingers and the surfaces they touch.

Cut Down Cross-Contamination

It’s simple. Whenever I prepare meals at home, I make and plate the allergy-free ones first. That way, I prevent cross-contamination from happening in my kitchen. And if I do have to touch or fix something in between, I wash my hands. Admittedly, probably more than the average person.

Double Up on Appliances

You can also cut down on cross-contamination by getting extra kitchen items that will only be used for allergy-safe meals. For example, frying pans, blenders, sponges, etc. Just recently, we purchased a second toaster for this very reason!

Color-Code Plates

My kid’s plates and cups are color-coded. This happened well before allergies, to be honest. It just made everything easier. I could keep track of whose food I plated and the kids would know exactly who it was meant for once it got to the table.

Now it’s great because it helps ensure there is never a mix-up.

Label Everything

I always have a sharpie on-hand and I label everything in the kitchen with it, from dates opened to safe or unsafe foods. The kids also like to label their snacks and drinks before we head out.

Talk About It

Everyone in the house knows what food allergies are, the importance of handwashing, how to look out for each other, and the signs and symptoms of anaphylaxis. Plus, I’ve trained our oldest on how to use her brothers’ Epi-pens, in case of an emergency.

I try not to put too much emphasis on it lately though. Yes, I want the boys to feel comfortable talking about their allergies. I want them to be vocal and speak up for themselves. I want them to double-check their food and ask questions- especially when they’re outside of the house.

But I also don’t want them to feel like the black sheep or odd man out because of it. That’s why at home, I regularly cook meals or offer snacks everyone can eat so we don’t have to spend time talking about how they are different.

What are your thoughts? And what are some ways you keep your family safe and organized? I’d love to hear about it.

But, who knew there would also be a list of unsuspecting places I would have to learn about? Seriously- toothpaste? soil? crafts? Why?

Color Bath Tablets

My two oldest children don’t have allergies. So, tossing Crayola’s fizzy, color-changing tablets into their bathwater was our regular thing. Naturally, I was prepared to keep the party going when my third came along.

I remember buying him the tablets and running the bathwater. But, before I plopped the first tablet in, I instinctively flipped over the container to read the label. It was a practice that had become second nature.

I didn’t actually expect to find anything but, lo and behold, I landed on the word lactose. What? Yes. Bath tablets have milk in them.

Shampoo

There I was, minding my own business in the shampoo aisle of Target. Then suddenly, these big, bold, front-facing words screamed right at my eyes: EGG WHITES.

While I do appreciate the brand for displaying them in plain sight, it never occurred to me before to check our shampoos.

But I mean, why not? As a teenager, I experimented with all sorts of food products in my own hair. Mayonnaise, honey, even beer (try explaining that one to your dad) … So, it makes perfect sense for certain hair products to have tree nuts and eggs also.

Craft Supplies

Thankfully, we haven’t had a negative run-in with a craft supply, and that’s lucky because we craft a lot!

I knew about cornstarch and flour but recently someone, in an online group I follow, posted a warning about hidden milk in sidewalk chalk. Then she reminded everyone to always check labels in everything. Please do.

Craft products like playdough, paint, and chalk can contain soy, wheat, milk, egg, and corn.

Dental Cleaners

My boys had been going to the same dentist for years before I learned fluoride varnish can contain tree nuts! And it wasn’t even my dentist’s office who told me. It was another dentist who knew we had food allergies and thought it was worth mentioning. – Uh, yeah! –

There are different types of fluoride and one does in fact have tree nuts. Now we always make sure to ask for labels before any new cleaning or procedure. Dairy-derived ingredients are also common in toothpaste- recaldent being a popular one.

Planting Soil

If you know me, you know I am not a gardener. Like- at all! I love looking at plants but I am awful at caring for them.

Knowing this, our next-door neighbor asked if my kids wanted to help her grow vegetables in her yard. First, she reassured me her soil didn’t have peanuts in it. Peanuts in soil? That was the first I had heard of it but it’s true though. I Googled it.

It’s also common for gardeners to crunch up eggshells for soil too. I learned that one from my grandma.

Vaccinations

When the nurse at my Pediatrician’s office asked me if I wanted to hold off on my son’s MMR vaccine, I was puzzled. Then she explained it contains egg protein. Interesting! And also, terrifying.

However, many people with egg allergies are able to safely receive the vaccine. In fact, my son recently received his first dose, without problems. Ask your doctor about any questions you may have.

Lipstick

Maybe if I was more into makeup, I would’ve learned this one earlier on in life. But, I’ve always been more of an au-naturale kind of gal.

Now, that doesn’t mean I couldn’t probably benefit from a little makeup, it just means I have zero clue what do to or where to start. Very rarely do I dab on a mascara or chapstick before leaving the house but that’s it.

After researching my fish allergies some more, I learned it’s common to find fish oil in lipsticks and glosses. Granted, I don’t know much about fashion but if fish lips are right, I’m okay (and healthy) with being wrong.

Although now that I think about it, I’m sure there are some fantastic Vegan alternatives.

Car Rentals

I don’t know why this one surprised me like it did. True, we rented a vehicle dozens of other people had used before us. But, what were the odds of finding peanuts inside it?

Our big summer road trip required a larger van. So, we rented one. We waited what felt like forever in line, finally brought it home, popped open the floorboard storage and what did we find? Half a bag of shelled peanuts scattered all around. Seriously?

We promptly drove it back and asked for another one in its place. Our trip got a late start but it was worth it.

What are some other products or places you’ve encountered your allergens? Let me know in the comments.

The answer is, all kinds of things!

So far, there hasn’t been a single treat that isn’t possible to make at home. But, having safe store-bought snacks opens up a whole new world of convenience and possibilities. Especially if we are on the go or out of town.

Our combined allergies are dairy, egg, peanuts, tree nuts, fish, shellfish, and tomato. Here are some of our favorite go-tos.

Fruits and Veggies

Fresh

Fresh is best, when possible! My kids will never turn down bananas, berries, apples, oranges, or grapes at snack time.

Veggies, eh. Those are another story. But it doesn’t stop me from offering cool cucumbers and carrot sticks. (I have 3 solid veggie eaters in the house, I’m working on the other 4! Wish me luck.)

Dole Mandarin Cups

Because who doesn’t love slurping the juice from the container and the sweet and squishy bites that follow?

Motts Cinnamon Applesauce

Sure, original is great also. But cinnamon is where it’s at.

Annie’s Bunny Fruit Snacks

A fun treat everyone is on board with. We like the Berry Patch flavor best.

Zego Raspberry Fruit Bars

These things are our latest obsession. Love, love, love.

For fruit bars, we also enjoy That’s It Bars.

Nature’s Bakery Strawberry Crumble Bars

Perfect as a quick breakfast on the go or just as as a filling snack.

Salty

Classic Lay’s

Always a relief to find these at a party!

Chifles Plantain Chips

Made in a nut-free facility and certified vegan, if you didn’t know. Plus, they’re just good.

Nabisco Original Wheat Thins

Family favorite! (Reduced fat tastes the same but isn’t as salty, FYI. My youngest son says they taste more like a cookie than a cracker this way.)

Original Skinny Pop

We enjoy the premade popped bags. But we also love popping the kernel version during family movie night. Nothing beats freshly popped corn.

Chomps Meat Sticks

I won’t lie to you- they are a little on the spicy side. And we know all know how kids feel about spicy. So these aren’t approved by the whole family. But, oh well. More for me.

Sweet

Abe’s Blueberry Muffins

Any flavor! But blueberry and chocolate are my favorite. And no one can ever tell they’re vegan.

Dandie’s Marshmallows

Sometimes, I just hand each kid a big fat marshmallow and send them on their merry way. And they aren’t mad about it.

So Delicious Coconut Vanilla Bean Ice Cream Sandwiches

Crowd pleaser. Another family favorite. Even our kids who can eat traditional ice cream sandwiches prefer these guys. (Made in a shared facility.)

Fun Pops, Freezer Pops or Philly Swirl

Don’t look at the ingredients. I mean, look at them so you know they’re safe but don’t look at them for long because they’re just sugar and food coloring and you won’t feel good about yourself at all. BUT, the kids will love them- and you. <3

Please always read your own labels! Even if you have all of the same allergies as we do, it’s important to read labels and decide for yourself if they will work for your family too.