Community Magazine April 2019

44 Community Magazine M aking food for friends or family members with food allergies can feel terribly daunting, but over time it is something that can be accomplished. But what happens when Passover comes along with all the seasonal, temporary, and unfamiliar products? And what do you do if you invited someone over who has allergies and you want to make sure everyone is safe and comfortable? This is precisely why Paulette Cohen, aka ‘The Nut Job Mom,' has shared the following information with us, in hopes of helping overwhelmed parents conquer this daunting, yet possible, task. Although the thought of Passover used to make Paulette nervous, she has learned how to take control of her child’s allergies, and hopefully her tips will help you to achieve peace of mind as well. Prepping your food-allergic children for Passover: Get your children used to different kinds of Passover-friendly foods. You can do this by trying new things a month before the holiday. Paulette likes to incorporate more fruits and vegetables into her children’s diets before the holiday so it’s something they are used to, and don’t see the extra fruits and veggies as just another change. It actually helps kids to realize there are many natural food options they can have. A few ideas on what to feed your allergic child between holiday meals: Yogurt or cottage cheese with berries is a great, healthy breakfast option for a child with food aversions. Paulette also likes to make banana pancakes, using just one overripe mashed banana and two eggs whisked together. Just add chocolate chips when you’re ready to flip the pancake! They’re so delicious and much better than processed, boxed options - and there’s no Passover after-taste! Frieda Schweky You can also make cookies and cakes allergy-friendly. To substitute eggs in baked goods, Paulette likes to whisk together 2 tablespoons of water, 1 teaspoon of oil, and 2 teaspoons of baking powder. This replaces one egg. Every year there are more and more options and recipe hacks online that are easily accessible. You can also check out Paulette’s Instagram @thenutjobmom for more substitutes and information. Purchasing products and reading labels: Food manufacturers are only required by law to print a warning on the product’s label if an item contains one of the top eight allergens. Manufacturers are not, however, required by law to print a warning on the label if the product is manufactured on equipment or in the same facility as allergens. Many of the parents Paulette helps are not aware of the laws, and assume if a product is not labeled “may contain an allergen,” then they have the green light to serve it to their allergic child. This confusion causes a guessing game that too often ends up in a trip to the emergency room. Please err on the side of caution, better safe than sorry. It is important to note that things change from year to year. If something was safe last Passover, that might not be the case this year. It’s important to call manufacturers and pressure them to disclose allergen information for the safety of your child. The best and safest option is to make things yourself from scratch to prevent any allergic reactions. Eating at other people’s homes: Paulette emphasizes that eating out during Passover does not have to be stressful. Whether your child has been recently diagnosed with food allergies, or you’ve been dealing with it for a while, if your child is old enough to run around with other children, there needs to be advanced clear The Nut Job Mom’s Timely Tips for Making Pesach Dishes Allergy-Friendly