Lunchbox tips: Managing allergies and intolerances
If your child has an allergy or intolerance, school lunchtime can be a daunting situation. Here, we share tips every parent should know about lunchbox making even if your child is allergy-free.
Lunchbox tips if your child has an allergy or intolerance
Inform the school principal and classroom teachers.
Ensure their allergy management plan is up-to-date and your child has access to more than one Epi-pen if needed.
Allergy proof your lunchbox by adding labels. These iron-on patches from Seed & Sprout are great for lunch bags or you could look at stickers like these from Stuck on You. Not organised - a black permanent marker will do!
Ditch the processed food and opt for homemade options wherever you can.
Teach your children from a young age to read labels and look out for ingredients that your child is allergic or intolerant too.
Educate your child on the signs and symptoms of a reaction so that it can be managed early.
Be careful not to have a false sense of security. Remember, the lunchbox restrictions can’t be enforced and there is a chance your child can come in contact with an allergic food.
Things every parent should consider about allergies
So your child doesn’t have an allergy or intolerance? It’s really easy to disregard or even “accidentally” ignore allergy rules at the school. But the consequences can be detrimental.
Remember to put yourself in the shoes of parents of a child with a severe allergy. The school eating environment can be an extreme source of anxiety and worry for both adults and children so while the restrictions may be an inconvenience, taking care is paramount for the health of others.
Here are our tips to ensure your child’s lunchbox is inclusive of those with allergies.
Find out the school’s current food allergy rules and lunchbox restrictions. Most primary schools aim to be nut-free, but some are also sesame and egg-free.
Save the allergic foods for afterschool snacks and weekends. Yes, your child might be addicted to peanut butter sandwichs, but save it for after school.
Encourage your child to understand the severity of food allergies and how to be inclusive of those with sensitivities.
Encourage your child to not swap or share food with other children.
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