Not long ago Sweetheart got to go on a date with Daddy. They went to a local farm and looked at all the animals, and then they went for ice cream. First they went to a local place we haven't been to before that is kind of like Cold Stone, but they use liquid nitrogen instead of a cold stone to mix the ice cream. Marquis told the guy behind the counter about Sweetheart's food allergies, and asked what they did for severe peanut allergies. The worker thought about it for a minute and said, "Well, we're pretty much peanut free, so I wouldn't worry." Marquis looked at the bowls of broken up peanut butter cups, Butterfingers and Snickers waiting to be added to the ice cream with little pieces strewn all over the ice cream mixing area, and they left.
I would hope that most people, especially those working in an ice cream place, would know that Reese's, Butterfinger and Snickers contain peanuts. But sometimes the allergens are a little more sneaky and like to hide in places you would never think about. Because I'm most familiar with Sweetheart's allergies, those are the ones I will talk about today, but the other allergens are just as sneaky.
Peanuts seem like they would be pretty obvious, don't give her anything with peanuts or peanut butter. Easy enough, right? But there is another popular peanut product that can cause some trouble: Peanut oil. We have to be very careful when we give her anything fried; French fries, chips, anything that might have touched oil. We have a hamburger place nearby that fries everything in peanut oil. Of course, we have never been inside, but sometimes when you drive by the smell of fresh French fries fills the car and smells so good! And when that happens you can look in the back seat and see Sweetheart's eyes start to water and her little face start to get blotchy. Thankfully just getting into fresh air solves that problem, but that is how much the tiniest bit of peanut oil in the air can affect someone with a peanut allergy. We have also found peanuts in some really strange places. Did you know Cinnamon Chex cereal is made with peanut flour? Did you know they made peanut flour? I didn't.
When it comes right down to it, when you are serving food to someone with allergies, check labels like crazy. Most labels now have the allergy info in bold, which is wonderful! Making from scratch is good because then you know exactly what is in the food and you can know if there is any possible cross contamination in your work area. And above all, ask! I can't tell you how much I appreciate it when people ask me if the food they have is safe for Sweetheart. Most of the time they are right on track and it is fine, but I have been able to catch it a few times when there was something hiding that could hurt her. You will never offend by asking!
So, did any of these surprise you?
I would hope that most people, especially those working in an ice cream place, would know that Reese's, Butterfinger and Snickers contain peanuts. But sometimes the allergens are a little more sneaky and like to hide in places you would never think about. Because I'm most familiar with Sweetheart's allergies, those are the ones I will talk about today, but the other allergens are just as sneaky.
Obviously those with egg allergies can't eat an omelet or (my favorite) Eggs Florentine, but did you know that they also can't eat most baked goods? Cookies, cakes, and many kinds of breads are all made with eggs in them. There are adjustments that can be made so they can be made egg-free (see my recipe section for a few ideas), but we have to be very careful with what treats Sweetheart eats. Eggs are also the main ingredient in mayo, many salad dressings and sauces. We also have to be very careful with anything battered and fried, as the best way to batter something is to dip it in an egg wash first. The most delicious homemade macaroni and cheeses usually have an egg or two, and so do most meatloaf or meatballs because eggs are a perfect binder. Most of the more fancy ice creams are made with egg yolks, especially vanilla flavors. Sweetheart also can't have most candy bars, even the ones that don't have peanuts, because nougat is made with eggs.
Peanuts seem like they would be pretty obvious, don't give her anything with peanuts or peanut butter. Easy enough, right? But there is another popular peanut product that can cause some trouble: Peanut oil. We have to be very careful when we give her anything fried; French fries, chips, anything that might have touched oil. We have a hamburger place nearby that fries everything in peanut oil. Of course, we have never been inside, but sometimes when you drive by the smell of fresh French fries fills the car and smells so good! And when that happens you can look in the back seat and see Sweetheart's eyes start to water and her little face start to get blotchy. Thankfully just getting into fresh air solves that problem, but that is how much the tiniest bit of peanut oil in the air can affect someone with a peanut allergy. We have also found peanuts in some really strange places. Did you know Cinnamon Chex cereal is made with peanut flour? Did you know they made peanut flour? I didn't.
When it comes right down to it, when you are serving food to someone with allergies, check labels like crazy. Most labels now have the allergy info in bold, which is wonderful! Making from scratch is good because then you know exactly what is in the food and you can know if there is any possible cross contamination in your work area. And above all, ask! I can't tell you how much I appreciate it when people ask me if the food they have is safe for Sweetheart. Most of the time they are right on track and it is fine, but I have been able to catch it a few times when there was something hiding that could hurt her. You will never offend by asking!
So, did any of these surprise you?
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