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Daily Tips

When it comes to food allergies, there is a big learning curve.  To help with the details, we are posting a daily tip about the top food allergens, cross contamination and how to avoid it, crazy hidden places that food allergies hide, cooking and baking tips, and more.  There will be a new one every day!  Read them with your morning beverage, forward to family & friends who need them, and discuss.

 

 

Entries in Kid Tips (5)

Wednesday
Jul312013

Auto-Injector Law Passed! Talk to Your Child's School About Emergency Action

Law Passed - Emergency Epinephrine Auto-Injectors Allowed in Schools

Yesterday, the U.S. House of Representatives passed legislation that allows schools to have un-designated emergency epinephrine auto-injectors in schools.  This means that the auto injectors at school do not need to be prescribed to a specific student, and that they can be used by trained administrators for any staff member or student who is in an anaphylactic emergency.

This is great news for parents with children who are at risk at school, and follows in the wake of deaths in different states around the country, because an auto injector was not available, or not available in time. It also allows states to begin potentially requiring schools to carry the injectors.

An Artilce from CBS:  http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-204_162-57596316/house-passes-bill-to-help-put-anti-allergy-meds-in-schools/

Create Your Child's Action Plan

It is a great idea to begin discussions with your school now, as school years commence, about your child's emergency action plan, if they need one.

Here is a great article to help you get started:  How Can Parents Feel Less Stress with an Allergic Child in School?

 

Press Release

 

From the FARE website:

 

U.S. House of Representatives Passes School Access to Emergency Epinephrine Act

Legislation Could Save Lives in Schools Nationwide

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

McLean, Va. (July 30, 2013) - The U.S. House of Representatives voted Tuesday to approve the School Access to Emergency Epinephrine Act (H.R. 2094), important legislation championed by Food Allergy Research & Education (FARE) that will help protect students with food allergies.

The bill, introduced by Rep. Phil Roe, M.D. (R-TN) and House Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer (MD), encourages states to adopt laws requiring schools to have on hand “stock” epinephrine auto-injectors, which is epinephrine that is not prescribed to a specific student but can be used for any student or staff member in an anaphylactic emergency. Anaphylaxis is a severe allergic reaction that is rapid in onset and can be fatal.

“We applaud the House for recognizing the need for schools to be prepared to protect students with life-threatening food allergies by passing this legislation, and we thank Dr. Roe and Rep. Hoyer for their unequivocal support,” said John L. Lehr, chief executive officer of FARE. “This is a tremendous victory, but we still have work to do to enact this legislation. We look forward to working with our champions in the Senate, Sen. Richard Durbin (D-IL) and Sen. Mark Kirk (R-IL), so that this legislation can be approved and sent to the President for signature.”

About half of states have laws or guidelines in place allowing schools to stock undesignated epinephrine auto-injectors. The proposed federal legislation would provide an incentive for states to require schools to stock epinephrine.

In addition to FARE, the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, the American Academy of Emergency Medicine and the National Association of Elementary School Principals have endorsed the School Access to Emergency Epinephrine Act.

Learn more at FARE (www.foodallergy.org)

 

Tuesday
Jan222013

Kid Tip: Tap your Kid's Inner Explorer

Today's Tip Sponsored by Melanie Potock &:

Want to know how kids learn about food?  They use all their senses. 

An outstanding researcher, Dr. A. Jean Ayres, introduced the theory of Sensory Integration over 40 years ago, explaining how a multitude of sensory input flows into the brain to be sorted and organized for learning.  She said “Sensory integration puts it all together.  Imagine peeling and eating an orange.  You sense the orange through your eyes, nose, mouth, the skin on your hands and fingers, and also the muscles and joints inside your fingers, hands, arms, and mouth…All the sensations from the orange and all the sensations from your hand and fingers somehow come together in one place in your brain” which allows you to make decisions on how to peel and eat the orange. 

So, here’s a tip: Get your kids involved in preparing the food for mealtimes.  Garden.  Get messy – make a yogurt finger painting.  Experience food via all of your senses.  It leads to trying new tastes and healthier eating.  Enjoy!


Read More:

How to Teach Your Kids About the Joy of Food

 

Tuesday
Dec182012

Kid Tip: Blanched over Raw Veggies Work Better

Today's Tip Sponsored by Melanie Potock &:

As a feeding therapist, I know parents want their kids to eat their veggies.  Here’s a tip: Try blanching vegetables, then pat them dry and bring to room temperature or chill slightly.  The extra moisture in a carrot stick from blanching will be easier for your young child to chew and swallow, but the veggie still has a lovely crunch and is easy to pick up and dip!  Works great for any veggie…be sure to cut into bite size portions for those kids under the age of three.

Here is how to blanch vegetables, using asparagus, plus a recipe.  The blanching process is similar for any type of vegetable, depending upon the thickness and courseness of the vegetable.


Read More:

The 12 Days of Christmas & My Favorite Lunchtime Things

Why Children with Autism are Often Picky Eaters

Tuesday
Nov132012

Kid Tip: Kids Like Memories more than Veggies

Today's Tip Sponsored By Melanie Potock &:

Ahhh! The holidays!  Time for Grandma’s famous Green Bean Casserole.  Maybe THIS year your sweet child will take a bite of it and make Grandma so happy!  Don’t count on it.  Studies show that kids need to be exposed to new foods over and over just to be willing to try it again.  Unlike Mikey from the famous Life Cereal commercial, it can take many kids numerous “try its” before they actually “like it.”  How often do we really have Green Bean Casserole over the course of a year? 

Try this instead: Encourage Grandma and your child to make the casserole together.  It’s about the memories of creating a beautiful Thanksgiving together, not the bite of green beans.  Who really remembers their first bite of a casserole?  But, your child will remember many happy moments preparing dinner with Grandma.  It’s about our time together. 

If you have a food allergic child, and step in and help get ingredients that are safe for him/her, it's both a teaching and a bonding moment for all.

Read More:

How to Help Your Food Allergic Child Belong Over the Holidays

Thursday
Oct252012

Kid Tip: Keep Lunch to a Simple 3-4 items

Today's Tip Sponsored By Melanie Potock &:

Often, I see parents packing 6 to 9 foods in a child’s lunch strategizing that “This way, there has to be SOMETHING in here they will eat”.  In fact, packing too many items in too many containers or plastic bags is overwhelming for a child.  Consider that once a child finds his way to his table in the school cafeteria, he has about 20 minutes left to eat.  Too many choices, too many items to rummage through, too many options spilled out on the table before him can back-fire. 

Keep it simple.  Pack 3 to 4 things max.  Try a one-step, easy-open container that has compartments for each food. Pre-cut the food into bite-size portions so kids can just grab it, eat it and chat with friends. “Grab and Gab” easy, simple lunches – that’s the best strategy!

Read More About Packing an Easy Lunch from Melanie