School Lunch: PB&J, Hold the Peanut Butter

Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches have graced the school lunch menu whether kids bought or packed their lunch for as long as I can remember. I had no intention of deviating from this tradition until my youngest son started day-care in a peanut free classroom.

Not only is his classroom peanut free, it is tree nut free, fish free and shell fish free. With a ratio of 1 adult to 5 children, it is amazing that there are this many allergies in one room. Between the teacher and all of the children though, there is intolerance not only to peanuts and shellfish but gluten, milk, soy, eggs, fruit and, of all things, sesame seeds. 

So, what gives? And, what am I supposed to pack in my kid’s lunch now even though his diet is not restricted by any food allergies?

I can do without sesame seeds and probably won’t be packing sushi in his lunch anytime soon but, I really miss being able to pack the traditional PB & J. It is cheap, fast and it never spoils by lunch, but it has to go. 

As unfair as it may seem to ask others to conform to one or more student’s special dietary needs, when it comes to peanuts, I have found out that it is really important. 

The Center for Disease Control reports that “food allergies cause 30,000 cases of anaphylaxis, 2,000 hospitalizations, and 150 deaths annually.” Furthermore, an estimated 3.3 million Americans are allergic to peanuts or tree nuts and 6.9 million are allergic to seafood, which boils down to the fact that one in 25 students will have a food allergy.

The chances are high that one or more children in an average size classroom will have peanut allergy. Those with peanut allergies are often so sensitive that even a whiff of peanuts could cause a reaction within minutes. 

Symptoms range from hives and coughing to the most serious anaphylactic reactions that require a shot of epinephrine from a quick thinking teacher or a trip to the Emergency Room.

In December, 2010, the American Academy of Pediatrics issued a clinical report saying, “partnerships with students, families, school nurses, school physicians, and school staff are important for individualizing effective and practical [food-allergy action] plans.”

The AAP report also highlighted the risk undiagnosed peanut allergies pose in preschool and elementary school classroom where “9 of 32 fatalities  occurred in school and were associated primarily with  significant  delays in administering  epinephrine.” 

Finding out that your child is allergic to peanuts at snack time can be an ill-fated venture. It seems, at least, that the peanut free classroom reduces the risk of the potential discovery of peanut allergies. Little harm is done in finding alternative menu items for the packed lunch.

If you know that your child has a peanut or other food allergy, it is extremely important to inform the teachers and school administration of your child’s needs in the classroom. Supply the school with a list of foods your pediatrician has told your child to avoid and any medication that needs to be administered once a reaction occurs. 

If you are a parent of a child without food allergies, then save the peanut butter and peanut treats for afterschool snacks. Remember that even the remnants of peanut oils on hands and clothing can trigger a reaction. It is a level of sensitivity that is necessary to reduce the risk of allergic reactions to and from school.

At any rate, cheese sandwiches make a great alternative to peanut butter and jelly. Even if another student is lactose intolerant, there is nothing life threatening about cheese. Just tell your child that this is a rare instance where it’s not necessary to share.