Back-to-School with Allergies and Sensitivities: What Every Family Needs to Know 

As we send our kids back to school, most parents are thinking about supply lists, new routines, and the excitement of a fresh start. But for families navigating food allergies or sensitivities, there’s another layer of preparation—keeping our children safe, healthy, and included. 

“Food is a Drug” 

I’ll never forget sitting in a specialist’s office nearly 20 years ago. We had just traveled out of state, desperate to find answers about our child’s recent autism diagnosis. After days of medical testing, my husband and I sat anxiously, backs ramrod straight, waiting for the results. That’s when the doctor looked at us and said words that changed our lives:

“Food is a drug.” 

Until that moment, I hadn’t considered food in that light. But as the doctor explained the long list of foods our child was sensitive to—dairy, gluten, beef (yes, even beef!), shellfish, yeast, pineapple, tomatoes and more—it became clear that what went on our child’s plate would be as powerful as any prescription. 

Because of the number of sensitivities, the doctor recommended a rotation diet. For a year, we rotated proteins and eliminated foods completely from our home. Gluten and dairy became the hardest to manage, especially during birthdays and school celebrations. 

That’s when we learned one of the most important lessons: planning ahead helps your child feel safe and included. 

Helping Your Child Feel “Normal” 

One of the hardest parts about food allergies or sensitivities is watching your child feel left out. School birthdays, classroom parties, even lunch in the cafeteria can be minefields. But with some intentional steps, your child doesn’t have to miss out. 

Here are a few things that helped our family and can help yours, too: 

1. Provide Safe Treats 
   We made or purchased gluten- and dairy-free cupcakes and cookies and gave them to our child’s teacher to keep in the school freezer. That way, when a birthday rolled around, our child could enjoy a treat right alongside everyone else. 

2. Use the Allergy Table 
   Many schools offer a peanut allergy-free lunch table. Even though peanuts weren’t a problem for our child, they sometimes chose to sit there. It gave them a sense of belonging, surrounded by friends with similar challenges. 

3. Create an Allergy Action Plan 
   Meet with your child’s teacher, the school nurse, and cafeteria staff before the year gets underway. Share your child’s allergies, sensitivities, and your emergency action plan so everyone is prepared. 

4. Communicate Regularly 
   Keep open communication with the school. A quick check-in every few weeks helps ensure your child’s needs don’t slip through the cracks. 

Don’t Forget Yourself 

Here’s something we didn’t expect: many adults develop new allergies and sensitivities as they age. If your child reacts to gluten, dairy, or other foods, you might want to consider testing yourself as well. Sometimes the fatigue, brain fog, or stomach troubles we chalk up to “getting older” are food related. Supporting your own health helps you support your child’s even better. 

A Gentle Reminder 

Back-to-school season can feel overwhelming, especially when allergies and sensitivities add extra layers to manage. But with a little planning and a supportive school team, your child can thrive—feeling safe, confident, and fully included in every classroom moment. 

Because at the end of the day, food isn’t just fuel. Food is a drug. And when we learn how to use it wisely, it can become one of the most powerful tools we have for healing, growth, and connection.