re: Food Choices and Food Allergies
Kathleen Whitfield
I'm very new, probably way too new to be posting, but I see some familiar
names, and I had to add to this discussion.
I have 9yo with a severe peanut allergy, and a 6.5yo with a slightly less
severe allergy to tree nuts.
The 9yo with the peanut allergy (who could very possibly die if he has an
exposure to peanuts without rescue medication available) has never chosen to
eat peanuts. His only exposure in recent years occurred when an item
contained peanuts that wasn't supposed to.
A few years ago, the 6yo -- I can't remember if she was 2 or 3, but I'm sure
she was in the 2.5-to-3.5 range -- chose to eat some chocolate that grandma
had sent that contained walnuts. I mentioned to her that it contained
walnuts and that she would likely have some problems with it. She chose to
eat the candy (and a lot of it) anyway. In the past she had had mild
reactions to a small taste of nuts. This time, her reaction was rather
intense. It went away with Benadryl, though. (My son with the peanut problem
has a more intense reaction that Benadryl doesn't stop.)
To this day, nearly 4 years later, she has not eaten any kind of tree nut,
even accidentally -- she can tell by the smell if something would be a
problem.
I carry Benadryl and my son has an Epi-Pen, just in case -- but they have
done an excellent job on their own in avoiding the allergens. I admit I was
able to allow the daughter to eat the walnuts before I knew all the
potential consequences. Food just doesn't become a big issue in my house,
and I'm glad because it was always a big issue for me. I struggle with my
weight while my kids are fit and lean and make healthy choices.
For a short time, I kept peanut butter out of the house. It has returned,
however. It's one of my 6yo's favorite foods, and I didn't want her to have
to suffer. We know to be careful.
Please understand that in sharing about my kids being able to monitor their
own consumption of hazardous (for them!) foods at a young age I have no
misconceptions that I am anywhere near where I want to be in our unschooling
journey. I expect to learn a lot more than I can contribute.
Kathleen
in Culver City, CA
names, and I had to add to this discussion.
I have 9yo with a severe peanut allergy, and a 6.5yo with a slightly less
severe allergy to tree nuts.
The 9yo with the peanut allergy (who could very possibly die if he has an
exposure to peanuts without rescue medication available) has never chosen to
eat peanuts. His only exposure in recent years occurred when an item
contained peanuts that wasn't supposed to.
A few years ago, the 6yo -- I can't remember if she was 2 or 3, but I'm sure
she was in the 2.5-to-3.5 range -- chose to eat some chocolate that grandma
had sent that contained walnuts. I mentioned to her that it contained
walnuts and that she would likely have some problems with it. She chose to
eat the candy (and a lot of it) anyway. In the past she had had mild
reactions to a small taste of nuts. This time, her reaction was rather
intense. It went away with Benadryl, though. (My son with the peanut problem
has a more intense reaction that Benadryl doesn't stop.)
To this day, nearly 4 years later, she has not eaten any kind of tree nut,
even accidentally -- she can tell by the smell if something would be a
problem.
I carry Benadryl and my son has an Epi-Pen, just in case -- but they have
done an excellent job on their own in avoiding the allergens. I admit I was
able to allow the daughter to eat the walnuts before I knew all the
potential consequences. Food just doesn't become a big issue in my house,
and I'm glad because it was always a big issue for me. I struggle with my
weight while my kids are fit and lean and make healthy choices.
For a short time, I kept peanut butter out of the house. It has returned,
however. It's one of my 6yo's favorite foods, and I didn't want her to have
to suffer. We know to be careful.
Please understand that in sharing about my kids being able to monitor their
own consumption of hazardous (for them!) foods at a young age I have no
misconceptions that I am anywhere near where I want to be in our unschooling
journey. I expect to learn a lot more than I can contribute.
Kathleen
in Culver City, CA