Organic Food Dyes

ADHD, Food Dyes, and Wellness

Decades ago Feingold released a study focusing on food allergies and behavior. Since then much of his findings have been discounted only to somehow make their way to the forefront again. One of the main cornerstone’s of the Feingold study was the idea that food additives, particularly food colorings, produced behavioral changes in children.

But while one can argue Feingold all day long what seems to be becoming fairly obvious is that food dyes/colorings do present some health risks. Not only that food dyes are toxic synthetic compounds invented specifically to make food, especially those consumed by children, more appealing.

One very revealing credible study conducted by the Center for Science in the Public Interest found a link between food dyes and multiple health imbalances including attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children.

The primary food dye culprits were Blue 1 and 2, Citrus Red 2, Green 3, Red 3 and 40, and Yellow 5 and 6.

These coloring has become so embedded in our culture that it is almost impossible not to ingest them because they are in such as vast array of popular, tasty, and often affordable food offerings.

Note: Food dyes have no nutritional benefit and are considered to be empty calories. They also tend to be used regularly in foods that are generally higher in fat, contain more calories, and are loaded with sugar.

If you live in the United States when was the last time your hyperactive ADHD child’s favorite candy or multicolored cereal had this disclaimer stamped on the box  ”This product may have an adverse effect on activity and attention in children.”?

I would venture to say the answer would be never. On the other hand if you lived in one of the countries comprising the European Union you would likely be very familiar with it since this disclaimer is required on all foods containing dyes.

In America there 9 potentially neurologically toxic food dyes used to add color to your food. While it seems only logical that the number of foods containing these substances would be decreasing the opposite seems to be true. Ironically, the segment of our society most susceptible to food dyes and their chemical carcinogens are children with behavioral challenges such as ADHD.

Could you add a little synthetic motor oil to my ADHD child’s gummy bears or birthday cake please?

Sounds ridiculous doesn’t it? After all no parent would even consider putting their child’s health at risk in this way but what might surprise you is that dyes/colorings are formulated from chemical ingredients that are about as far away from healthy as possible. This list includes such names as 4-aminobiphenyl, benzidine, and you guessed it synthetic petroleum products.

Examples of food and beverage products containing at least one of the seven food dyes thought to aggravate ADHD symptoms and possibly increase the risk of cancer: dye drinks, baked goods, candy, maraschino cherries, and hotdogs.

 In conclusion, there are no easy answers short of living out in sticks and eating organically grown berries all day. Additionally, there could be a compelling case made that food products containing food coloring eaten once in a while may not present any health risks. But the real question is are you willing to take that chance? 

Best food for my dog?

Ive a toy poodle/mini poodle female dog.
She cant be taller than 10 inches and she is about maybe 3-5lb.
Ive been feeding her all kinds of things to get her to eat a lot and properly.
At first she was very picky about anything Id give her…she woud sniff and walk away.
One day she would dig into a boiled chicken breast while the next she would walk away from it.
I started excersicing her and she is now eating New Mans own organics but not as much as Id like her to. She hasnt gained weight though and it worries me that I can feel her ribs.
Is there any food you guys can recommend that would help her gain weight?
Maybe some treats?
Right now I am training her and she has IAMS puppy biscuits.
My only rule is that the color not dyed. and organic.
Any suggestions?

I don’t trust any of the commercial foods. I make my own food from scratch. Roasted chicken (boned out), mixed ground up raw veggies, wild rice cooked, and oats (not instant) and a supplement (juice plus+for dogs) I add some Omega 3 a couple days a week. I cook the chicken (about a weeks supply) and mixed it daily with other ingredients and warm it slightly. (you can pour over the left over broth for extra nutrition and flavor or use it in your soup stock or other dishes) I have one picky eater and one who would eat dirt if that is all there was.
But this works for both and they are both extremely healthy and beautiful.
They get a raw chicken wing on cooking day and they do love that (raw only, the bones are soft when uncooked)
And at my house when you don’t have anything for dinner you can always eat the dog food.

Eating for a Healthy Life

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