How to Make a Peanut Free Sandwich for a School Lunch

As the number of school aged children diagnosed with a peanut allergy increases, more and more school districts are adopting a peanut free policy to protect their students who have peanut allergies. School buildings in these districts are considered peanut free which means that no peanuts or peanut containing products are allowed in the classrooms. These buildings also have strict peanut policies in place to keep the school cafeteria a safe environment in which students with peanut allergies can enjoy their lunches safely. These policies may be vast and include a strictly peanut free cafeteria or more narrow in scope to include a peanut free table at which students with peanut allergies sit. In any case, there is a good chance that students who enjoy a peanut butter and jelly sandwich for lunch may need an alternative sandwich for lunch at school.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Peanut free bread
• Peanut free jelly
• Soynut or other peanut free nut butter

1. Check in with the school office to find out the specifics about the school's policies regarding peanut allergies and restrictions on peanut products and peanut containing treats, snacks and lunches. In most cases, peanuts are the only restriction, but in some circumstances there may also be restrictions on other potential allergens.

2. Purchase peanut free bread and jelly. Purchase a jar of soynut butter or sunflower butter and be sure to check the labels to ensure that the product is manufactured in a peanut free facility with no risk for cross contamination with peanut containing products.

3. Assemble a soynut or sunflower butter and jelly sandwich. Essentially the same as a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, a peanut free soynut or sunflower butter and jelly sandwich is made by spreading jelly on one half of the sandwich and the nut butter on the other half.

Tips & Warnings

• Experiment with various types of peanut free nut butters to find the variety that best matches individual tastes. As with peanut butter, nut butter tastes and flavors can vary with each company who manufactures it. Consider crunchy sunflower butter if crunchy peanut butter was once a favorite. Try introducing a peanut butter alternative to children before school starts. Just be sure to get approval from the pediatrician who may have specific age guidelines regarding the introduction of nut butter to reduce the risk of dangerous allergic reactions. Children who are already used to peanut butter alternatives will avoid the hassle of switching to something new when school begins.