We once went to a birthday party where the birthday child had a sever peanut allergy . When the (homemade peanut-free) cake came out one child pulled out a container of dates and fruit.
“He can’t have cake – no refined sugar“.
Some studies have shown that children with autism can benefit from gluten-free, casein-free diet. Let’s not forget; lactose which is intollerable to many.
At birthday parties, I think it is important to recognize that to some people (children and adults alike) some foods are the enemy to digestion. Trigger foods can cause discomfort – not what you want at a child’s party.
One never knows the food restrictions of children. Giving plentiful choices is important at a birthday party; cake and a fruit tray. Cut veggies and pizza. Cheese and crackers. Popcorn and dry cereal. Juice and water.
Always ask parents – when they r.s.v.p. or drop their child off – if the child has any food allergies or sensitivies. Food can be the enemy – but it shouldn’t be a party-pooper.
If a parent who is RSVPing to your party does not tell you about their childs sensitivities and special needs/allerigies that is the problem.I know when I am in party planning mode it is all I can do to remember to tell parents to bring a towel and extra clothes so they don’t have to take home sopping wet kids after the water balloon basketball! I think the responsibility for informing on this kind of situation falls on the parent of the sensitive/allergic child. They should not be leaving their child with someone without giving this information and an epipen or at least a bottle of benadril! I do not have an allergic child (lucky me I guess) so this is not top of my mind and in my home I don’t think it needs to be unless someone informs me of a potential issue. My son has a fiend with severe allergies to nuts, bananas, latex and likely a whole host of other things, when his mom drops him off she reminds me and leaves the benadril. She also questions me about the cake before telling her son if he can have it or if he has to eat the cake she brought from home for him…it is her job to make sure this information is known.