As a parent it can be challenging to find snacks that are
peanut free. As more and more schools lean toward being completely peanut free
this makes packing lunches and snacks difficult. Of course we want to include
things that our children enjoy eating but we would also like those same snacks
to offer some nutritional value. Here at The Children’s Center of Austin
this is something we see our parents struggle with so we decided to investigate
and find some peanut free snacks we know children love.
As children
continue to be diagnosed with severe peanut allergies many companies have begun
to create peanut free snacks. Although it is possible to find processed snacks
without nuts we have had great success at snack time when we offer fresh fruits
and vegetables. These are a staple of The Children’s Center of Austin ’s
menu and the children continually enjoy everything from carrot sticks to
strawberries. Not only do these snacks have the benefit of being nut free but
the also provide fiber and many essential vitamins. Yogurt and cheese sticks
are also always appreciated at our snack table. These healthy snacks offer a
boost of calcium and protein that keeps our children going all afternoon.
In the
event that you need a snack on the run, sometimes fruit is not a viable option.
In this event you can always use an easy on the go snack. We have found that
our children love Goldfish and, lucky for us, these fish are made without
any nut product. There are also many crackers that are nut free. Some of these
include Ritz crackers, Nabisco saltines and Keebler Club crackers.
If you’re
looking for a sweeter on the go snack, we have found that many of our children
love fruit snacks. They come in every size, shape, color and cartoon character
you can imagine and many of them are made with 100% fruit juice. Some of the
nut free brands we have discovered include: Fruit Roll Ups, Gushers, Scooby Doo
fruit snacks, and Hi-C fruit snacks.
There are
many other options out there so if you need some new ideas for snack time try
looking at SnackSafely.com. We love snack time so we know our children do to and none of us want to eat the same things everyday. Variety is the spice of life so be sure to add some spice to your snack time.There are even fun, healthy
kid inspired recipes like this one:
Recipe Information
Category: Candy
# of Servings: 30 candies
Recipe Created By: Cristi Schwamb
# of Servings: 30 candies
Recipe Created By: Cristi Schwamb
Ingredients
□
Tbs softened margarine or softened
(or melted) coconut oil
□
1/2 cup sunflower seed
butter such as Sunbutter®
□
1 cup sifted powdered
sugar
□
1 cup (approx) semi-sweet
chocolate chips
Instructions
□
Stir margarine, sunflower seed butter and
powdered sugar together. If the mixture is too sticky to handle, you can knead
in a little extra powdered sugar, one spoonful at a time, until the consistency
is a bit firmer and doesn't make a mess all over your
hands.
hands.
□
Divide dough into small balls. Refrigerate (or
freeze) for a while so that they aren't so sticky. Put a glass measuring cup
full of chocolate chips into microwave for a minute or so -- stirring every 30
seconds. Dip balls into melted chocolate and place on waxed paper. Chill until
firm.