Introduction

There is no question that the number of children developing food allergies is growing, and strict avoidance of the offending food is the only way to prevent a reaction. This increase in food allergies has given rise to a growing number of commercial products that are becoming readily available on store shelves. Initially, this may appear to be a good thing. The problem is that while these products may be allergen-free, they are often short on nutrition. Commercially made crackers, chips, trail mixes, energy bars, cookies, and other baked goods tend to be highly processed and loaded with sugar, salt, trans fats, preservatives, food colorings, and other undesirable ingredients. So what’s the solution? How can you provide your child with snacks that are not only appealing, but also nutritionally sound?

The Ultimate Allergy-Free Snack Cookbook is designed to help. It provides over 100 vegetarian recipes that are free of eggs, cow’s milk, soy, wheat, peanuts, tree nuts, fish, and shellfish—the most common allergenic foods according to the current assessment of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The recipes are also free of gluten and refined white sugar. As an added bonus, the snacks are wholesome, natural, and nutritious—high in whole grains, rich in fiber, and low in calories. Best of all, they are simple to make. In fact, you’ll be delighted to see just how easy it is to prepare tantalizing snacks that fill kids up in a healthy way.

Of course, even the most nutritious foods won’t benefit your kids unless they eat them. That’s why the following chapters are jam packed with kid-favorite snack choices—cookies, muffins, brownies, chips, dips, pizza, puddings, mini burgers, sorbets, smoothies, and more. But this book is not just about recipes. It also offers helpful information and support for anyone living with an allergic family. There are guidelines for setting up an allergen-free kitchen, instructions on how to read food labels, and tips for avoiding cross-contamination of allergenic ingredients. A comprehensive table provides ingredient options for a number of common food allergens. With it, you can easily adjust most recipes to suit the particular needs of your child. Peppered throughout the book you’ll find a number of “Just for Fun” entries. These entries cover a variety of “snack-time” subjects, such as creative ways to serve snacks, ideas for party snacks, and kid-involved “snacktivities” that any child is sure to enjoy. This really is the ultimate snack cookbook!

It doesn’t matter if the snackin’ good choices in this book are enjoyed as lunchbox goodies, after-school treats, or party fare, your child is going to look forward to all of them. And it doesn’t matter which of the top allergenic foods affect your child, nor does it matter if the allergy is mild or severe—he or she can enjoy all of the snacks in this book without fear of a reaction. Low in fat and calories, yet high in flavor, these snacks are not just for kids with allergies. They can be enjoyed by everyone!