Getting kids to eat healthy is becoming more of a priority these days, but I can tell you from experience, it’s a challenge when you have a picky eater on your hands. Programs like this that introduce fun, healthy foods are a great step toward getting children to eat things other than fat-laden chicken nuggets and french fries. We try to apply the same ideas at home, trying approaches like cutting the food in  fun shapes or offering dipping sauces to get them to eat their veggies, but for school, it’s a tad more challenging.

Because my son is only in kindergartenI have to pack lunch, and there’s not much he’ll eat. For the last two weeks it’s been bagels with butter. I know, I know… not the best choice, but at least it’s something. He just won’t do sandwiches, and the teachers don’t want us sending in “complicated” lunches so things like soup are out. We tried rolled up turkey, diced cheese, and crackers for a while, but he left 90 percent of it. The only thing healthy I can sneak in occasionally is sliced apples, applesauce cups, or when he’s in the mood, carrot sticks.

I think he will do better with hot lunch options (which he’ll get next year). I can’t wait! And how cool will it be if he gets to try out recipes from Rachael Ray?

Lunch packers, how do you get your kids to eat healthy at school (or eat at all!)?

Imagine having to send an EpiPen to school with your child? Or worry every time someone sends cupcakes into class, or there’s a school bake sale, that your child will take a bite and have an anaphylactic reaction?

Good tip: My mom-friend keeps peanut-free baked goods in her freezer to send to school with her son when there’s a class party.

The thing is, it’s not just peanut butter sandwiches that’ll cause harm. There are so many processed foods that are made with peanut oil, and many others that are simply not on our radar as possibly having nut products in them. Cereal bars, granola bars, some cake mixes, chocolate candy, and even some packaged pretzels are surprising culprits.

Having an allergy-free child is something most of us take for granted. I recently read about a minor league baseball team that had a “peanut free” game night to raise awareness. For one family in attendance, it was the very first time they were able to attend a ball game without being afraid of sitting next to someone tossing peanut shells.

These are things most parents never have to worry about (on top of all our other worries). So. if taking five seconds to check a label to make sure it doesn’t say “may contain peanuts” will keep my friend’s son safe, then I’m on board. Plus, it’ll encourage me to avoid all of the processed chips and snack cake options, and include healthy fruit cups, applesauce, cut-up veggies, and string cheese instead. We’ll just make PB&J an after-school treat. Food for thought…

Moms: What’s your take on peanut-free environments? Share in the comments below!

-Dawn Papandrea