{"id":28343,"date":"2022-09-21T09:24:28","date_gmt":"2022-09-21T13:24:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.getmaple.ca\/?p=28343"},"modified":"2026-01-08T16:35:21","modified_gmt":"2026-01-08T21:35:21","slug":"kids-with-food-allergies-checklist-for-a-safe-school-year","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.getmaple.ca\/blog\/kids-with-food-allergies-checklist-for-a-safe-school-year\/","title":{"rendered":"Kids with food allergies: checklist for a safe school year"},"content":{"rendered":"

Back to school can be both exciting and nerve-wracking. For parents especially, the return to school routine is a relief after summer days of nonstop activities. But if your child has food allergies, back to school can also mean some real worries about their health.<\/p>\n

If your child is just entering kindergarten or preschool, this may be the first time they\u2019ve had to manage their allergy without you, and it\u2019s normal to feel anxiety. So, how can parents protect their children from food allergies? With the proper steps, you can make your child\u2019s return as safe as possible.<\/p>\n

What are food allergies?<\/h3>\n

Allergies are the body\u2019s overreaction to an otherwise harmless substance. When you have a food allergy, your body misidentifies a certain food (or foods) as a threat. Eating or coming into contact with your food allergen triggers your body to release histamines, provoking an immune response.<\/p>\n

The symptoms of a food allergy can include hives, rashes, wheezing, vomiting, and full-blown anaphylaxis, which is a life-threatening allergic reaction that constricts your airway.<\/p>\n

While it can feel natural to lump them into the same category, food allergies are very different from food intolerances. Food intolerance has to do with difficulties digesting or metabolizing certain foods and doesn\u2019t involve the immune system. In contrast, allergic reactions are unpredictable and can cause a severe anaphylactic reaction after exposure even to trace amounts of the food.<\/p>\n

Food allergies are serious, and if your child has one, they should receive medical support. If you\u2019re looking for assistance with navigating your child\u2019s allergies, Maple can help. Maple<\/a> is an online virtual care platform that connects you to a Canadian-licensed doctor<\/a> or specialist from your phone, tablet, or computer.<\/p>\n

Most common food allergies in kids<\/h3>\n

While some children do grow out of their food allergies, many retain theirs for their entire lives. These are the foods that trigger allergies most commonly in children:<\/p>\n

1. Peanuts<\/strong><\/p>\n

Peanut allergies are infamous and for good reason. According to Food Allergy Canada, two in 100 Canadian children<\/a> have a peanut allergy, making peanuts the number one cause of allergic reaction in the under-18 group. As a result, many schools and child-centred facilities are now peanut-free, though you\u2019ll want to double-check that your child\u2019s school is.<\/p>\n

2. Tree nuts<\/strong><\/p>\n

Tree nuts are a large category that includes almonds, cashews, hazelnuts, walnuts, pine nuts, and more. And although they\u2019re grouped under the same allergy heading, being allergic to one tree nut doesn\u2019t mean your child will be allergic to all of them. More confusingly, while peanuts aren\u2019t even nuts \u2014 they\u2019re legumes \u2014 about 40% of children<\/a> with a tree nut allergy also have a peanut allergy.<\/p>\n

3. Milk<\/strong><\/p>\n

Having a milk allergy isn\u2019t the same as being lactose intolerant. Lactose intolerance is the result of your digestive system\u2019s inability to process lactose, the sugar found in milk. Lactose intolerance can cause stomach pain, bloating, and diarrhea but it’s not life-threatening, or an allergy.<\/p>\n

A milk allergy, on the other hand, is triggered by your immune system\u2019s response to cow milk protein. The proteins in cow’s milk look similar to those in sheep, goat, and buffalo milk and these can cause similar allergic reactions when consumed. This immune reaction can range from hives to an anaphylactic response and everything in between.<\/p>\n

The good news is that many children with milk allergies outgrow them as they age. And, some people with this allergy can tolerate dairy when it\u2019s fully baked as the baking process denatures, or changes, the protein. This doesn\u2019t apply to everyone though so always work with your allergist before consuming baked dairy.<\/p>\n

4. Eggs<\/strong><\/p>\n

Egg allergies are surprisingly common, but they\u2019re also one of the allergies your child is most likely to outgrow, and about half do so by age six<\/a>. Whether skin testing determines your child is allergic to egg whites or egg yolks, they shouldn\u2019t eat either part of the egg as both contain minute amounts of the other.<\/p>\n

While some children can tolerate baked or cooked eggs in food items, your child\u2019s allergist should provide clarity on foods to avoid. Frittatas might be clear candidates for the do-not-eat list, but eggs are also present in less obvious places. Battered and fried foods and the yellow fever vaccine<\/a> are more surprising sources of egg and its protein.<\/p>\n

5. Shellfish<\/strong><\/p>\n

Shellfish can be a bit of a misnomer, as this category isn\u2019t limited to just shellfish \u2014 it actually encompasses bivalves and mollusks. This usually means that those affected by this allergy react to not only shrimp, lobster, clams, crabs, oysters, and scallops, but also to things like octopus and snails.<\/p>\n

While fish are fine to eat, anything without fins should be off-limits, especially because shellfish allergies aren\u2019t just triggered by eating. Your child may also have a reaction from handling or even inhaling the cooking vapours of these seafoods. And, unlike milk and egg allergies, the majority who experience a shellfish allergy don\u2019t outgrow it.<\/p>\n

6. Soy<\/strong><\/p>\n

Soy is a tricky food to avoid. It can be found in everything from chewing gum to baby formula, and also makes an appearance in some cosmetics, seasonings, and even vitamins. Luckily, many children with a soy allergy do outgrow it.<\/p>\n

7. Wheat<\/strong><\/p>\n

Having a wheat allergy is different from having Celiac disease or being gluten intolerant. Celiac disease is an autoimmune condition that affects your intestines\u2019 ability to absorb nutrients from your food.<\/p>\n

A wheat allergy by contrast, triggers an immune system response to wheat proteins. Wheat is found in a range of products making it difficult to avoid. Luckily, however, it also falls into the category of allergens many children outgrow.<\/p>\n

8. Fish<\/strong><\/p>\n

Fish contain a different protein than shellfish meaning that a fish allergy and a shellfish \u2014 or bivalves and mollusks \u2014 allergy isn\u2019t the same. Allergies to both are possible, as is cross-contamination, but many with a shellfish allergy can eat fish and vice versa.<\/p>\n

Keep in mind that if your child has food allergies, management and treatment from an allergist is an option. And, you can get additional support online. There are tons of great online food allergy resources<\/a> offering information for parents of kids with food allergies. Many even have recipes and ideas for allergy-friendly foods for kids<\/a>, helping to make mealtimes a snap.<\/p>\n

Back-to-school allergy checklist<\/h3>\n

You can\u2019t go to school with your child but you can help to set them up for an allergy-safe school experience. Here\u2019s how:<\/p>\n