There is nothing like sharing comfort food with family, especially children. In our house, the two staples of comfort—peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and mac ‘n’ cheese—have taken a beating since our son Graeme’s food allergies were diagnosed.
PB&J seems completely beyond our reach (since Graeme is violently allergic to peanuts), but we’ve been working on the latter. A reader of this blog suggested we try Amy’s Rice Mac & Cheese (which doesn’t contain any ingredients that Graeme is allergic to), but I was skeptical. First, we had already tried using rice pasta, but it was not popular with Graeme (some is still stuck to the ceiling near his eating area, where he launched it in protest), and it was not popular with me, either (I resisted throwing it, but I thought about it!).
Second, specialty products aren’t easy to find in our area. I once tried to find tofu in our most upscale grocery store. The stock boy gave me a strange look when I asked for it—the kind of look my neighbors give northern snowbirds who can’t find the freeway from the local outlet mall. He suggested I try the dairy section. Thirty minutes later I found one sad block hiding in the refrigerated section near the veggies.
But off to the store we went, nursing a dream that Graeme might not only be able to eat this processed food item, but that he might actually like it. After an exhaustive search and a few tense moments with another stock boy, we found the freezer where the product was supposed to be—albeit as far away from conventional mac ‘n’ cheese as possible. Only problem? There was no box. (See sad picture above.)
We avoided another grocery store meltdown and opted for the 30-mile drive to Whole Foods, whom we were sure would stock it. They didn’t disappoint.
Neither did Amy’s. Back at home, Graeme fell in love with rice pasta, shoving two fistfuls at a time of mac ‘n’ cheese into his mouth and leaving cheesy residue from his bib to his hair—comfort indeed (for both of us; it’s so nice to watch him find a food he really enjoys and is free to eat).
In fact, it was such a success, that we’ve decided to tackle peanut-free PB&Js. Stay tuned.
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Comments (9)
I went to my cupboard and grabbed a jar of I.M. Healthy SoyNut Butter and Sunbutter, which is made from sunflower seeds. (What are they doing in my cupboard? My 4yo son is allergic to peanuts, shellfish, eggs, cows milk, goats milk, and beef. So I feel your pain!) Neither of them contain corn and both of them are made in peanut free facilities. We’ve also used Soy Wonder, but I don’t have a jar on hand.
Also, I see from your profile you are in Alabama, which has Publix stores. We get their store brand rice cakes, in the Plain and Lightly Salted flavors, which are safe.
Good luck!
For PB&J substitute, I recommend getting Sunbutter on your next trip out to Whole Foods. It is made from sunflower seeds and is really yummy. You can buy it smooth or crunchy. I would recommend smooth. My daughter eats it everyday and my son, 18 months and severly allergic to peanuts eats it from a spoon its so good.
I have never tried SoyButter. I’m Healthy brand is made in peanut/tree nut free facility and is shipped in peanut/tree nut free trucks
Good Luck!
Thanks for the suggestions! In fact the photo above is from our local Publix. It’s strange, we’ve had luck at that Publix and at Wal-Mart on some products, but in both cases the selection of allergen-free food products is pretty small.
We’ve been using Sunbutter, which is okay. I can’t live without my PB&Js so I’ve been eating it. But I’m still having big challenges on baking. Tapioca flour is no substitute for real wheat-based bread!
have you tried Annie’s Rice pasta mac n cheese? also, good substitute for PB is sunbutter & jelly on buttered bread.
if your son is allergic to peanuts but not nuts try using Cashew butter, I think it might taste even better than peanut butter if that’s even possible.
A lot of children allergic to peanuts aren’t allergic to nuts and vice-versa but some react violently to both.
I understand the hassle of not being able to buy convenience foods, I’m dangerously allergic to basil and this popular herb often isn’t even listed – it just says ‘herbs’ or ’spices’
Another you can try: Soy butter from Trader Joe’s. It’s VERY yummy, and practically indistinguishable in taste. Also I’m convinced a lot of allergic reactions are being caused by *carrageenan*, a thickener and texturizer made from SEAWEED. They’re putting it in deli meats, ice cream, dairy products, toothpastes, etc., and I think it’s making people sick all over the country. Not sufficiently tested, but used everywhere, anyway.
Thanks for the suggestions. We haven’t found Annies Rice Pasta yet.
Unfortunately, Graeme’s allergic to soy. He doesn’t seem to be all that interested in sunflower seed butter, besides smearing it in his hair.
Great suggestions though!
I do not suggest cashew butter as a substitute, you can find many references on the web that allergic reactions to cashew is worse than peanut! I thought eating cashew butter during breast feeding was a safe alternative, and now my child is severely allergic to cashews and required emergency medical treatment! So please stay away from the cashews! I loathe to think what would happen if parents started packing cb&j’s at her school thinking it was ok.
ooh that looks yummy! unfortunately, most of the rice pastas are made of brown rice…and joshua reacts to brown rice…but not white. he is also allergic to soy, wheat, dairy, eggs, assorted veggies and fruits…etc, etc, etc…lol….the only pasta we’ve found is the asian rice noodles…but they’re soooo small!!! you CAN make your own “sunbutter” with a food processor…just takes time…but as does everything else with these kiddos. freeze dried fruits are a big hit in this house! the “brothers all natural” brand is esp. good, and you can order online! perfect for toddlers!