‘Tis the season for candy hearts, purple and pink everywhere you look, and shimmering Valentine cards in every theme.
Valentine’s day—and the promise of sugar and sharing their chosen Valentines—is a very exciting time for kids. But it is also a time for many kids to feel left out and disappointed.
While no one intends to leave others out during this holiday, often times kids with food allergies can leave the Valentine’s Day exchanges with hardly anything that is safe for them to consume, which can lead to feelings of sadness, rejection and frustration over what makes them feel different than others.
This Valentine’s Day, consider being inclusive with your choices by following these simple tips:
1 – Choose Non-Food Items
Instead of filling Valentine’s Cards with sugary treats, consider items like stickers, pencils, and other trinkets. These items can still reflect your child’s interests and style, without causing any issues to kids with food allergies.
*Please remember that items like Play Doh contain gluten and therefore can be an excluding item for those with a reaction to gluten.
2 – Choose Allergy-Friendly Treats
Check out these sites that list foods that are safe, based upon allergies. If your child has a classmate with a dairy allergy, for example, select a food item that is on the safe list for those with dairy allergies.
Kids with Food Allergies has created a list of foods that are free from all known allergies. They have also created this searchable guide based on specific food allergies to assist you if you know which allergens to avoid in your child’s class.
3 – Avoid Dyes
Some children have sensitivity or allergies to dyes, which unfortunately can be what makes these sugary candies look so brightly colored. When searching for a treat, avoid dyes and search for food with colors derived from natural sources.
4 – Check the Label
Before purchasing treats, check the label to see what it contains. If it contains wheat, soy, dairy, peanuts, tree nuts, eggs, fish, shellfish, sesame or artificial dyes, the likelihood that a child in your child’s class will be excluded increases. Try to steer clear of the top food allergens to be as inclusive as possible.
As you venture out with your child to find the perfect Valentines and something special to share with classmates, keep these tips in mind. With the support of parents and teachers, all kids can feel included during these special celebrations!
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