Nuts as a snack in middle school

[Anonymous]

I don't want to diminish the severity of nut allergies.

I do want to point out that there are other serious health challenges that kids face where they need shelf-stable sources of protein, or have other serious restrictions on their diet.

Screaming NO NUTS NO NUTS does not make it easy for these families who may rely on nuts to keep their kids whole and functioning. Finding reasonable solutions to accommodate all children is a more appropriate strategy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't want to diminish the severity of nut allergies.

I do want to point out that there are other serious health challenges that kids face where they need shelf-stable sources of protein, or have other serious restrictions on their diet.

Screaming NO NUTS NO NUTS does not make it easy for these families who may rely on nuts to keep their kids whole and functioning. Finding reasonable solutions to accommodate all children is a more appropriate strategy.

For the win.

People need to listen, not just scream.

[Anonymous]

I always want to challenge the people who think the only policy is no nuts to give me a nutritionally comparable snack. That means something that is mostly protein and fat, not full of sugar or carbs, something grain free. Dried fruits, dairy (plus refrigeration issues) granola, crackers, etc., none of these qualify.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Op here—school does not have a policy so I guess I can send them.

Yes, but tell him not to eat at a classroom desk or if she does she should wipe it down and wipe her hands. Do you trust her to do this?
I know a child at our DD's MS who has severe nut allergies and cashews are especially bad. If he gets cashew dust on his hands and it's anywhere near his face he could have a severe reaction and possibly die. He's very careful at lunch but I don't believe he would expect a classroom table to have cashew residue on it.

Also, I would send in a nut bar she can eat while touching the wrapper rather than nuts that will definitely contaminate her hands.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I always want to challenge the people who think the only policy is no nuts to give me a nutritionally comparable snack. That means something that is mostly protein and fat, not full of sugar or carbs, something grain free. Dried fruits, dairy (plus refrigeration issues) granola, crackers, etc., none of these qualify.

You know thousands of people in the U.S. have nut allergies and somehow they are able to get the nutrients they need right? This thread is getting silly.
I'm one of the PPs who said it's fine to have her child bring nuts to school but that she has to be careful. Is it selfish? Maybe but it's not some horrible crime.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No, no no... don't do that as its really selfish. There are tons of things they can eat from pretzels to cereal/granola bars, etc. that have no nuts.

Those don't have the same qualities that nuts do.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't want to diminish the severity of nut allergies.

I do want to point out that there are other serious health challenges that kids face where they need shelf-stable sources of protein, or have other serious restrictions on their diet.

Screaming NO NUTS NO NUTS does not make it easy for these families who may rely on nuts to keep their kids whole and functioning. Finding reasonable solutions to accommodate all children is a more appropriate strategy.

For the win.

People need to listen, not just scream.

This... absolutely.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Nuts are find for Middle School, by this age the kids can handle their own allergies. Do they ride a bus? Play sports or some other team or group activity? Then they will come in contact with something they may have an allergy to. If you can send your child with a small pack of wipes for their hands for afterwards, even better.

For all those who don't want her child being nut's, what do you suggest that is high in protein, low in sugar, doesn't make a mess as you eat, is a SNACK (not a lunch) and will keep a growing teen with food issues satisfied? Because raisins are not it.

This is true. We're not talking about little kids.

[Anonymous]

I think that by middle school, kids should be learning to manage their allergies and to manage how their behavior might impact others. I find it hard to believe that your kid could have a classmate with such a severe allergy that the smell of peanut butter, etc... would be an issue. I had a friend with similar issues in elementary school and we were all well aware of it.

[Anonymous]

Check the school policy. By middle school, kids should know what they can and can't eat, so you don't have the same issues as early elementary.

[Anonymous]

It seems like school don't "care" about nut allergies after elementary school. They seem to only really police food brought in while kids are younger and may not have the ability to recognize the offending food or ask what's in a food.

I was curious so I looked up the policy for my kids' MS & HS and both have two pages on the responsibility of the person allergic to the food item and responsibility of the parents of the kid allergic to the food item, but only a tiny blurb that says: no student shall knowingly contaminate another student's food in regards to an allergy to one of the aforementioned common food allergy types or any other known food allergy of the student. No student shall weaponize the allergy in a harmful or potentially dangerous manner, this includes, but is not limited to touching a student with a known allergy after handling the offending allergen, intentionally breathing on a student with a known allergy after ingesting the offending allergen, or touching the offending allergen upon the student's person or possessions.

Peanuts are sold at the basketball and football games in HS as well now that I think about it.

[Anonymous]

DS is very thin and needs to pack on the pounds asap. I rely on nuts & peanut butter to help him with this, and so he can keep up his energy. Raisins, granola bars and pretzels don't even come close to the kind of fat and nutrition nut and nut products provide.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I always want to challenge the people who think the only policy is no nuts to give me a nutritionally comparable snack. That means something that is mostly protein and fat, not full of sugar or carbs, something grain free. Dried fruits, dairy (plus refrigeration issues) granola, crackers, etc., none of these qualify.

As the mom of a kid who struggled to maintain proper blood sugar levels, Amen.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It seems like school don't "care" about nut allergies after elementary school. They seem to only really police food brought in while kids are younger and may not have the ability to recognize the offending food or ask what's in a food.

I was curious so I looked up the policy for my kids' MS & HS and both have two pages on the responsibility of the person allergic to the food item and responsibility of the parents of the kid allergic to the food item, but only a tiny blurb that says: no student shall knowingly contaminate another student's food in regards to an allergy to one of the aforementioned common food allergy types or any other known food allergy of the student. No student shall weaponize the allergy in a harmful or potentially dangerous manner, this includes, but is not limited to touching a student with a known allergy after handling the offending allergen, intentionally breathing on a student with a known allergy after ingesting the offending allergen, or touching the offending allergen upon the student's person or possessions.

Peanuts are sold at the basketball and football games in HS as well now that I think about it.

PP here: My kid's schools stayed a bit crazy through high school, but your point is a good one. I think your description is another version of my kid's observation that the allergies don't seem to be as big a deal in college. My kid isn't naive enough to think the allergies disappeared overnight, but only observing that his peers and his institution seem to manage them just fine without a thousand rules and restrictions binding on everyone.

[Anonymous]

Bring in all the nuts you wish. Ideally, we can ship off the nut allergic to an island or something where they are out of the way. Worked for the lepers.