A Healthy Recovery

As I mentioned in yesterday's post, the idea of food and the hospital is a little scary when your child has a peanut allergy. Thankfully Tyler will be back in my care a couple hours after surgery. In an attempt to make this "fun" (as "fun" as surgery can be!), I let Tyler have a lot of say in the family's menu for the few days after surgery.

Since a peanut allergy prevents a child from eating a lot of processed foods, Tyler is accustomed to simple, healthy foods. (When we dealt with milk and egg allergies, our processed foods were even more limited!). So when I asked for Tyler's input on next weeks menu, here is what he requested:

*Salad
*Carrots
*Celery
*Apples
*Bananas
*Spaghetti (I make my sauce from scratch)
*Chocolate milk
*Water (gotta laugh at this one!!)

And just to prove he has does have a little taste for junk food, he also requested:

*Chicken nuggets (I buy Tyson or Banquet)
*Pizza (from a pizza place we trust called Jet's)

Believe it or not, I listed these in the order he requested them. (Plus, I suggested the pizza because I know he loves it!). He actually requested the healthy foods first!

I like to think he would have these requests were it not for food allergies. But, I think the limitations he has dealt with his entire life has helped him develop a taste for more natural and healthy foods.

Ask your average four year old that has never dealt with food allergies their favorites and I don't think the list would probably be the same.

Is there a benefit to a peanut allergy (as well as other food allergies)? I really think there is. When our kids are eating food in its purest forms (and not something that comes in a box with unpronounceable ingredients) being even more healthy is a direct result.

Am I thankful that Tyler has a peanut allergy? Uhh...no. But I am thankful that he he requests healthy foods. His food allergies have actually helped him become a healthier kid.