Making the decision on cutting out artificial food dyes wasn’t easy. If you spend time looking at any random ingredient list in the grocery store, chances are good that there’s at least one synthetic dye listed. And yet… the benefits we have seen (specifically with our oldest son) when we cut artificial coloring made quite the impression.
Other parents may decide to cut dyes in non-food items, too – such as shampoo, or even nail polish – yet I found that tackling cutting out artificial food dyes is challenging enough, for the time being.
Why Are We Cutting Artificial Food Dyes?
Before I explain, keep in mind that this is a gradual process. We didn’t eliminate everything with food dye in it overnight. As items are used up, we replace them with a healthier option.
With that being said, the behavioral issues with the food dye red 40 (which is the one that brought the issue to my attention) were too out of the ordinary to be ignored. Two days in a row, I gave my son a water additive that contained the dye red 40. And two days in a row (shortly after consuming the water additive but not before), my previously sweet and loving two year old turned into a completely different child.
After a few days with no more red 40 (and my sweet, loving two year old back), we decided it was time to work on cutting out artificial food dyes wherever possible. (Because if one synthetic dye could wreck so much havoc with my child, what could the others do?)
Please keep in mind there are many research articles and other resources out there (Food Babe is one that comes to mind as an easy to understand, well-read, respectable, and well-referenced source) – I am simply telling you our own personal experience with artificial food dyes and our two-year-old’s behavior.
How It’s Going
My son still asks for things with dye in them, but we have explained (simply, for now) that it isn’t good for him. He knows to ask first, and although he is sometimes sad when we say “no”, we try to have alternatives available when reasonable.
We are also in the process of cutting out artificial food dyes for the entire family, but with the impact being so visible with our oldest son, cutting dyes for him became the priority.
Cutting out these dyes, along with other dietary changes, is a great step along the path to a healthier lifestyle – for you AND your kids. I’ve got an article just for you, if you need some tips for teaching Healthy Toddler Eating Habits.
Do you and your family (knowingly) consume artificial food dyes? Let me know in the comments below!
Christian, wife, “hybrid” mama, I run the site All Behind A Smile to help others like me.
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