More families are opting to avoid dyes found in food items marketed towards children, including drinks, snacks and cereals containing chemical dyes.
Dietitians can help clients follow a nutritionally balanced diet free from artificial colors to minimize allergies and potentially harmful genotoxicity effects. Dietaries can advise clients to follow an optimal nutrition program without adding artificial colorings into their meals.
1. Look for labels.
There is an array of foods, from candy and soda to pastries and even seemingly unlikely foods such as frozen vegetables, which contain artificial dyes.
Once you know what to look for, finding dye-free products shouldn’t be hard. Simply make the effort of reading labels carefully and shopping at stores without dye-containing items.
Food dyes are found in thousands of products ranging from breakfast cereals and beverages, snacks and vitamins. Their addition is intended to make foods more visually appealing while adding uniform color; however, some food dyes have also been linked with health concerns including attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and hyperactivity.
Diets low in dyes such as carrots, celery and cucumbers tend to be free from them; nuts such as almonds, cashews and pistachios also typically don’t contain dyes; plain popcorn and crackers (such as saltines ) usually don’t either.
2. Choose whole foods.
Synthetic food dyes are manufactured using petroleum-based chemicals and found in thousands of foods such as breakfast cereals, candy bars, snacks, beverages, vitamins, and more. They’re especially prevalent among products designed for children, and have been linked to various health effects, including behavioral issues and increased risks of ADHD.
These antigens elicit immune responses in many people and bind with proteins within the body, leading to immunological impacts including inducing inflammatory cascades and increasing intestinal permeability for large antigenic molecules; increased intestinal permeability to large antigenic molecules; cross-reactivities leading to autoimmunities and neurobehavioral disorders; cross-reactivity problems leading to autoimmunities and neurobehavioral disorders and more.
Some years ago, several major food and beverage companies pledged to transition away from artificial colors. Mars and General Mills may have backpedaled from these original goals but other companies continue to move in this direction. California recently introduced legislation mandating labeling products with synthetic colors which may further encourage more CPGs to switch over to natural alternatives.
3. Look for natural alternatives.
When purchasing food and drinks, opt for natural dyes as opposed to artificial food colorings. By opting for natural hues in baked goods, beverages, vitamins, and skincare products containing them you’ll avoid exposure to toxic chemicals linked with ADHD/Hyperactivity disorders and similar health concerns.
Natural dyes can be found in fruits, vegetables, herbs and plants and are naturally-derived. When added to food or drinks they provide vibrant hues without altering flavor or texture – plus there are no adverse side effects like those caused by synthetic dyes.
Many companies now provide foods and drinks free from artificial food coloring, such as Superieur Electrolytes which comes in small containers to be mixed with water at home to create a refreshing sports beverage that doesn’t contain artificial colors.
4. Look for real food.
Food dyes can be found in almost every packaged food and beverage available to Americans – from soda pop and candy bars for children to gelatin desserts, pet food, and even “healthier” items like frozen vegetables. Their purpose is to make foods appear appealing, attractive and fun while increasing sales – however these chemicals don’t bode well for human health.
These dyes have been linked with numerous negative health outcomes, including hyperactivity in children, hives and asthma. Furthermore, they can contribute to some chronic diseases, including cancer and diabetes.
To avoid synthetic dyes, the best approach is to consume real food. Many fruits and vegetables don’t require additional colors, while whole grain products and nut products naturally lack them as well. Superieur Electrolytes offers healthy beverages without synthetic dyes that come packaged in small containers so you can easily mix with water at home.
