Almond milk

[scuba nurse, BSN, MSN, RN]

Quick question: do you allow almond milk in your "nut aware" classrooms? Students eat breakfast and lunch in the classroom.

We just got a new student and he brings his own almond milk as he is lactose intolerant. Mother is INSISTING he drink this milk everyday at lunch (she provides it, and was *shocked* that we do not supply 'designer' milks). We do not have a specific policy that lists this type of milk, but when I Googled it, it seems like it would be a no. This issue has not come up before here.

Thanks!!

[WineRN]

Not allowed.

We have one "allergy free" table in our lunch room that two of our parents ended up fighting over because one child had a severe peanut and treenut allergy and the other had severe contact reactions to dairy. The nut free family allows their son to eat pizza and her regularly buys milk and the dairy free family uses almond cheeses and almond milk frequently.

We ended up creating another seating area for one of the children and things are ok now.

[Farawyn]

Wow.

Good point. I was all worried about hazelnut creamer.

[ruby_jane, BSN, RN]

Would never have even thought of this as an issue. WOW. Soy or coconut milk not an option?

My child was milk-free during elementary school (lots of snotty nose stuff and eczema) and I never, ever thought the school needed to provide milk. Nor did I ever send a non-dairy product...one meal a day is not a big deal.

[AdobeRN]

In our district iff proper paperwork is in place and student is buying lunch in the cafe - milk allergy kids are given bottled water or juice at no extra charge - any other type of "milk" would need to be provided by parent.

[KKEGS, MSN, RN]

If the classroom is nut free then no. Our district does provide "designer milk" if we have a Special Diet Statement form filled out and signed by a physician. Why can't the kid drink Lactaid instead?

[JenTheSchoolRN, BSN, RN]

In our district iff proper paperwork is in place and student is buying lunch in the cafe - milk allergy kids are given bottled water or juice at no extra charge - any other type of "milk" would need to be provided by parent.

Similar policy here. Juice is substituted for the milk at lunch for a student with a documented milk allergy.

And no to almond milk here. We are a tree nut and peanut free school. Though staff break this rule all the time, I feel, with almond milk in their coffee. I'm lactose intolerant, but I use soy milk or lactose free milk in the coffee I bring to school from home.

[aprilmoss]

When my son was younger the schools were pretty much "milk or nothing." I had to fight to get some sugarfree something into the mix for my diabetic son. Of course that was before the "bottled water" craze hit. Now we have drinking fountains with bottle fillers and kids are free to use that. Don't offer any milk substitutes (don't think we'd even offer milk if it wasn't for the dairly lobby).

You should tell her you only allow hemp milk or flax milk:cheeky:

[kidzcare]

Wow.

Good point. I was all worried about hazelnut creamer.

Well hazelnut creamer is disgusting. Throw it out. Problem solved :)

[Farawyn]

Well hazelnut creamer is disgusting. Throw it out. Problem solved :)

Agreed.

[scuba nurse, BSN, MSN, RN]

Thanks! You guys are great!

He will not be bringing almond milk anymore! Everyone here gets free breakfast and lunch, so that is one reason why they do not supply special milk, just while or chocolate.