Sharon Trueman, a dietician at Sydney's Royal Prince Alfred Hospital Allergy Unit offers some quick, fresh and tasty lunch box treats for children with common food allergies and intolerances.

Childhood food allergies are on the rise. While the jury is out on the cause, the most common problem foods include milk, egg, nuts (especially peanuts), soy, fish and wheat. 

Fortunately, many children grow out of childhood food allergies. However, if you have a school-aged child who has a common food allergy, you may welcome some fresh ideas to keep their lunch boxes safe, nutritious and tasty.

Food intolerances usually build up over time, making it harder to pinpoint the cause. Symptoms of food intolerances can include stomach aches, wind and bloating, headaches, hives/rashes and general lethargy.

And the good news is, most major supermarkets now stock a range of allergy-friendly foods in the health food section, so most regular recipes can be adapted using gluten-free flour, egg replacer and dairy-free products.

Of course, you don't have to have an allergy or food intolerance to enjoy these foods.

Sharon's safe primary school lunch box

Gluten-free pear muffins

Potato rolls

Salmon rissoles

Spring salad

Diced skinned pears and golden delicious apples

Rice or corn cakes

One water bottle, frozen

Sharon's safe high school lunch box

Vanilla cookies

Glazed chicken drumsticks

Chickpea fritters with pear chutney

Asian-style salad

Two pieces of fruit (skinned if very sensitive)

Rice or corn cakes

Two water bottles

 

Sharon's safe treats

Apple or carrot cake

No-egg banana cake

Most of these recipes are taken from the RPAH Allergy Unit cookbook Friendly Food. Thanks also to the New Zealand Food Allergy Cookbook and Allergy Today: www.allergy.org.nz for their sweet treats

For more information on the RPA's allergy testing and elimination diet, go to: www.sswahs.nsw.gov.au/rpa/allergy/ or call 9515 3300 to make an appointment or 9515 3322 to speak with a dietician.

Helpful links:

www.allergy.net.au (Dealing with Food Allergy booklets and video/DVD can be ordered online)

www.allergyfacts.org.au

www.allergy.org.au (a standard action plan for anaphylaxis can be downloaded from this website)

www.schools.nsw.edu.au/studentsupport/studenthealth/conditions/anaphylaxis/index.php (Anaphylaxis information including the latest guidelines for schools)