Debbie B.
Moderator
7/18/2008
4:14 PM
120 Posts

I spoke to someone at Sunbutter today (who is sending some samples for our Aug. group meeting)! He said three exciting things for those of us with children allergic to peanut!

*They are soon to come out with a sunbutter and jelly crustless sandwich very similar to the popular "Uncrustables" snack by Smuckers that has peanut butter and jelly.

*They are working with schools who have Peanut Butter now on their menus to change over to Sunbutter instead (there are still some schools in the country who have not taken peanut butter off of their school cafeteria menus).

*Sunbutter is beginning to pop up in regular grocery stores (vs. only specialty stores like Whole Foods) now. Please ask your local grocery store manager if you'd like to see Sunbutter on their shelves (e.g. there is a Smith's in Henderson already carrying Sunbutter). Perhaps if it is very easily available, some of our extended family members, families of our children's best friends, etc. may consider changing over to Sunbutter in their homes... Maybe...!

Does your family use Sunbutter? What do you think?

Duane & Dana G.
7/18/2008
8:37 PM
25 Posts

My husband & I love sunbutter! The grocery store Smith's carries it. We have used it in baking(no bake oatmeal chocolate cookies-took the place of peanut butter) Yummy!

Debbie B.
Moderator
7/29/2008
7:39 PM
120 Posts

I bet all Smith's are carrying Sunbutter and maybe other major grocery stores too b/c I found they are carrying it at another Smith's in Henderson in addition to the first one.

It can be found in the health/specialty isles- it is NOT in the area of the regular Peanut Butter.

Also, the price at Smith's for Sunbutter was $4.19 - not a huge amount higher than the price for Jif's PB which was something like $3.79.

I actually haven't personally introduced sunbutter to my kids yet b/c I thought maybe I should wait until they are older and can first REALLY understand they can not eat anything that looks like PB. For now in our house, it is up high and hidden in our pantry and only for us parents- at least it provides us an alternative to PB that we know is safe to have in our home. But I love that it will be around for my kids when they are a bit older, too!
Eventually, I will explain about sunbutter and let them try it.

Here's a question: Do any of you worry that it would be complicated to introduce sunbutter at a young age and yet be sure the child would understand to stay away from PB? Any thoughts or experiences on how you've handled this?

Leslie M.
8/12/2008
1:41 PM
19 Posts

Debbie you have brought up a very good question and yes, I am worried about introducing Sunbutter at a young age. I bought some recently (for our trip with family) because I was afraid that Liam would want Peanut butter if his cousins were eating it (they are 5). Fortunately, my brother and his wife did not bring anything that Liam couldn't have, which we appreciated so much. He is pretty good about listening when I say "no, this will make you sick" but I don't think he really understands at 2 going on 3. He certainly does not reject food from others yet or say "ask my parents" but I do hope that will come with training.

I am having the same problem with M&M's (I bought the skippers from the nut free store) and use them for potty training. It was the only thing that has worked to get my son going. He calls them M&M's and I fear that he will think that he can have the regular M&M's. Now that he is almost potty trained I will not be giving him any (stickers only) but I think I started something that could be harmful in the end. I don't know!

The only experience that I have had with Sunbutter was with a 2nd grader who was able to explain to the class that she could eat Sunbutter but not Peanut butter since it would make her sick. I always wondered when her parents started to explain things to her.

Debbie B.
Moderator
8/16/2008
8:46 PM
120 Posts

Great point about the skippers! The only thing I can think of is to really stress to Liam that they are SKIPPERS and that m&m's aren't ok. - and YEAH that he's coming along with the potty training!! :)

It's wonderful that your brother and family were so supportive of Liam's allergies on your trip!

It is great that there are so many substitutes for nut products that our kids will be able to enjoy- BUT it does make it a bit more complicated and confusing when they are young...

Erin F.
8/16/2008
9:38 PM
6 Posts

I am assuming that Skippers are peanut-free M&M type candies? If so, where do you get them?
Also, I've tried Sunbutter and let my 2yo daughter try it, too... We both agree, it's not that great. I guess if you've never known what PB tastes like, it wouldn't be bad, but it's definitely not on the menu very often at my house. :) I'll be interested to see/hear what the company rep has to say or suggest at the meeting on Tuesday.

I'm worried about explaining her allergy to my daughter and keeping it away from her via others' good intentions of sharing. I guess it means I just need to be that much more vigilant.

Duane & Dana G.
8/18/2008
1:05 PM
25 Posts

FYI-I had to beg for my 2 boys(age 10 & 12)to try sunbutter. My older one was near tears and spit it out and my younger one gagged on it and vomited! Banning peanut items from their diet and understanding the ,life threatening disaster it could bring has "brain washed" them. It was such a phychological issue with them! I felt so bad after that! They won't try ANYTHING that looks close to peanut butter, ever. My husband & I have sunbutter in our house in place of the peanut butter.~Dana

Debbie B.
Moderator
8/18/2008
2:10 PM
120 Posts

Erin- just to clarify- unfortunately a sunbutter rep won't be at our meeting Aug 19th- just some of the products to sample.
I agree- sunbutter is no PB for those of us who used to eat it for years and years :) At least to kids it's a great substitute! (It's even growing on me as I've had it on toast with honey enough times now that I think I forget what PB tastes like) Also- I'm glad you'll make it to our meeting- it will be nice to meet you!

Sunbutter's website www.sunbutter.com has some suggestions for baking:

"When using your own recipe that contains baking soda or baking powder, in combination with SunButter®, you may notice a discoloration in your baked goods.

This is not a problem! Simply reduce your baking soda or baking powder or add lemon juice to balance the ph factor and maintain proper color.

This discoloration is the result of sunflower seeds being rich in Chlorogenic acid which is found naturally in all plants. Most plants only have Chlorogenic acid in the stems and leaves, but sunflower also has it in the seeds. This is one of the reasons sunflower is so good for you."

The man from Sunbutter I talked to did also say that the product has to be stirred well before eating b/c the oil seperates- I know I sure found that out the first jar I opened!

As for skippers, I'm not sure where Leslie got those...Leslie??...

But, check http://www.peanutfreeplanet.com/ for some cool peanut free options. They have SMARTIES which are a Canadian made candy (Nestle) that look like M&Ms but the colors are slightly different. http://www.peanutfreeplanet.com/product_p/smarties50gcandyboxes.htm

Leslie M.
8/19/2008
8:21 AM
19 Posts

I got the Skippers from the Vermont Nut Free Online store. Here is the web site. http://www.vermontnutfree.com/ The colors are different from M&M's too.

Melissa L.
2/24/2009
3:01 PM
13 Posts

If any of you have a good food processor, or a Vita-Mix machine, you might try making your own sunbutter! I have not used a food processor, but have made sunbutter in my Vita-Mix. It works great! I make a big batch and then freeze it in small amounts in used and cleaned plastic baby food containers. Of course some of you would need to make sure that the sunflower seeds you use aren't contaminated with other allergens. And beware of contamination in your blender. For our family, we don't use the VitaMix for anything the kids are allergic to. Then I use the machine for all kinds of things for the kids- from making sunbutter, to grinding flax seeds(for use as an egg replacer), to grinding lentils(to use in combination with other flours that are wheat-free), to making sorbets(so much better than the dairy-free sorbet I've bought at the store, much less sugar). I suggest looking into getting a VitaMix or a good food processor(I've not worked with food processors, but Carol Fenster(allergy friendly cooking expert)suggests having one. See my blog http://wheatdairyeggnutfree.blogspot.com/

Debbie B.
Moderator
2/26/2009
7:41 PM
120 Posts

Great tips, Melissa- thank you!

One place families can find sunflower seeds without any cross contamination with nuts is at www.dakotastyle.com (any find some available at local stores?)

FYI also that Sunbutter is available at many of the larger Smith's stores now (I haven't checked any others but maybe Alberton's etc., too?)- in the health food/natural section (not in the section by the peanut butter) and the cost for a jar is comparible with a jar of Jif.