The start of the school year sparks questions from any parent: Will they like their new teacher? Are they going to make new friends this year? 

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As a parent of a child with food allergies, there are additional questions on my mind: Will the other kids be respectful of his allergies? Does the school’s staff understand his care plan? 

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Here are some of the tips I use to make sure back-to-school goes smoothly and safely:

1. Remind my child of how to stay safe when it comes to his allergies. I like to ask my son if he can remember the names of all of his allergies, and then we discuss what his body might feel like if he were having an allergic reaction. I remind him never to eat food that was not packed in his own lunchbox, and how to find a grown up to ask for help if he ever felt sick. We always end this conversation on a positive note, telling my son that I am glad he knows how to manage his allergies, and that school is going to be so fun!

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2. Have positive discussions with staff. Prior to the first day of school, we make sure the nurse and teachers are well aware of my child’s allergies and all have a copy of his care plan. Having these discussions makes me feel confident that my child will be in good hands. Never be afraid to advocate for your child.

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3. Get a lunchbox your child is excited about. We picked out my child’s lunchbox together and added a sticker to it to ensure he knew which was his. Even if another child has the same box, we’ll always be able to differentiate based on the sticker. This prevents a potential for a mix-up, and it also helps my son feel excited about meal times. 

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4. Use Hungryroot’s allergy filters to explore new food ideas. I struggle with getting repetitive when we find a safe meal. When I need to mix it up, I browse Hungryroot—they make it easy to find safe foods that even the pickiest of eaters will enjoy. I’m always pleasantly surprised by the new products from allergy-friendly brands, like Abe’s and This Saves Lives. Seasonal products also help my child feel included in food-related activities; with autumn coming, I ordered Partake’s Soft Baked Pumpkin Spice Cookies to have on hand in case the teacher emails me that they will be having a fall treat in class. 

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5. A little creativity can go a long way. When I find myself in a food rut, I try cutting things into different shapes—cucumbers become stars, sandwiches become dinosaurs, and slices of apples become flowers. And since he can’t read just yet, I like to add sticky notes with little drawings, though older children would surely appreciate some sweet words! 

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As parents, what we want most for our kids is for them to be happy. When I pack his lunch in the morning, I like to imagine the smile on my son’s face when he opens up his lunch and sees veggies cut into his favorite shapes and delicious food that will nourish him.

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Browse all kinds of allergy-friendly foods that little ones will love by filtering by Dietary Needs right here.