I'm Glad that we made the switch to Dye-Free foods - How about You?

    It has been years since we transitioned to foods without artificial colors, and I can honestly say that it has been a blessing.  I have three wonderful boys who are not being affected by the changes in behavior that can occur when ingesting synthetic dyes- such as red dye 40, yellow 5, and yellow 6, etc..   There are no more uncontrollable tantrums, punching mom or brothers, or irrational behavior - all because of the petro-chemicals in synthetic(man-made) artificial dyes. 
    How about you?  Are you noticing behavior in your child that goes beyond the norm?  Do time-outs and other forms of discipline seem to be useless?  Does your child show uncontrollable anger and take it out on everyone who gets in his path?  Does your child have poor motor coordination?  Have you payed attention to what your child ate that day to see if artificial dyes could be the culprit?   If it is and you find out this useful bit of information, you will see a huge transformation in your child by just switching to foods without these dyes!  If you have a child that is sensitive to artificial dyes, the difference in your child will be overwhelming!     
    My child used to appear depressed and he didn't like behaving the way he did.  We didn't understand him.  After we found out the reason, we told him that it wasn't his fault and that it was the red dye's fault for making him act that way.  His self-esteem is very high now and he knows that he has control over his actions.  His motor coordination improved.  He chooses to stay away from artificial dyes because he doesn't want to feel that way again.
    Have you had a similar experience?  Please share your experiences by leaving a comment or sharing on Facebook or Twitter - Red Dye Free!
    Every child deserves a chance!  
    *Also, post  your findings on http://www.cspinet.org/fooddyes  The Center for Science in the Public Interest is doing whatever they can to ban these synthetic dyes.

Red dye 40 and Behavioral Changes

If I had known that synthetic artificial colors in foods could cause behavioral changes in certain individuals who are more susceptible to it, than I could have spent the other two years with my children much more peacefully. It is pretty clear to my family that Dr. Feingold had it right. Some people tried to discredit him. Why? For some people there is too much to lose - profit in sales! Food companies would have to use more expensive natural food colorings. Food companies might have to start putting real fruit in the food and not just a color. Drug companies would lose profit due to medications being prescribed for depression, ADD or ADHD, etc... Profit, profit, profit. There is too much to lose for some people who could care less about how you feel. There are many testimonials of parents outraged that they wish they knew before their child or children grew up and it could have saved a lot of heartache. There are many parents who know their children and themselves well enough to know how they react to certain foods to say that this is a real problem. Brightly colored foods marketed to children who can't describe why they feel like... hitting someone, having a tantrum, or feeling depressed or extra sensitive.
I remember years and years back when I used to feel extremely sensitive, angry and frustrated after taking Excederin coated with red dye 40. My headache went away but my mood changed. My poor mom. I remember thinking..."Everytime I take Excederin, I feel so sensitive." I couldn't understand why. Luckily, someone mentioned red dye 40, after discussing problems with my child's behavior. I know now why I felt like that and whenever I ate foods with this in it, I felt very different. Now I avoid it. I think that, "If it does this to me, why would it be healthy for others?" I'm sure it's not, but it is for you to decide. I should also add that not everyone reacts to synthetic artificial dyes and it's a good thing! Our society needs enough cleaning up as it is. I don't want to leave out the other synthetic dyes in this blog either because some people have severe allergic reactions or sensitivities to yellow dye. Our family avoids all of the synthetic dyes. It took time to adjust, but now we know just what to buy and what we like.
There is a really good article on baystateparent because it has a "non-alarmist" tone.
http://www.baystateparent.com/news/2009/0601/articles/014.html
It talks about Dr. Feingold's Theory, Getting the Right Diagnosis, Keeping a Food Diary, Partner with an Unbiased Physician, Don't Assume All-Natural is All Right, Don't Ignore Other Possibilities, A List of Synthetic Food Dyes, and Natural Food Dyes (look out for carmine or also known as cochenial if you are allergic or if you don't like bugs!) (Some people have allergic reactions to natural food dyes.)