Food dyes to avoid: the ultimate guide

I’ll share my thoughts on food colorings and which ones to avoid if that’s one of your goals.

Hello friends! Happy Monday! I hope you had a great weekend. Our weekend was very fun, we played 3 soccer games, had dinner with friends, went swimming, and just chilled out. We also finished some work that was delayed for about 2 weeks.

Today I want to discuss the tricky subject of food coloring.

As we walk the aisles of our local grocery store, we are often drawn to the bright, colorful packaging that lines the shelves. The vibrant colors of our candies, baked goods, and even some drinks are often due to food dyes. These additives are used to make foods and drinks look good and appealing. Unfortunately, some food dyes can have harmful effects on the body. Here we summarize and provide information about food dyes so you can make more informed choices about what you and your family ingest.

I don’t have any dietary fixations. I don’t want my kids to be scared of food. They know that some foods are more nutritious than others, and they can’t just eat anything. In our home, we focus on whole foods, mostly unprocessed foods, but when we go out with friends, to parties, or travel, my kids order and eat whatever they want. I usually encourage them to have a fruit or vegetable with whatever they’re eating, but that’s it.

At the same time, I have pretty strong feelings about food coloring because I know that when it comes to choosing a candy or drink, my kids will ask me to choose something else if it’s red, because I’ve seen the effect food coloring (especially red!!) has on kids — they become hyperactive and very cranky. To me, it’s just not worth it.

6 Food Colorings to Avoid

Increased awareness of the potential risks associated with certain food dyes has led many consumers to take a closer look at the ingredients in their products. Food dyes may make foods look more appealing, but the trade-off with health risks is often not worth it. (Also, I think this is debatable – I find brightly colored foods less appetizing than normally colored foods. Who decided that everything has to be bright and rainbow-colored to be edible?? It’s a mystery to me.) There are plenty of great alternatives out there!

Today I want to talk about the potential effects of common food dyes, the illnesses they may cause, and how avoiding them can benefit your health, with links to various studies below.

Are food colourings bad for you?

The short answer? Yes, it is possible. Food colours are synthetic chemicals that are added to food to give it a vibrant colour. Although approved for use by food safety authorities in many countries, a growing body of research suggests that these additives may have adverse health effects.

When you ingest food dyes, your body has to process these synthetic chemicals, which can cause side effects. Studies have shown that certain food colorings Animal studies have linked it to hyperactivity in children, allergic reactions, and even an increased risk of certain cancers. The amount of food dyes that is considered harmful varies, but even small amounts can be harmful to some people.

(P’s party had lots of green food colouring. I’m no monster, but it’s not something I use every day when I’m at home).

Food colourings to avoid

Let’s take a closer look at some of the most common food colorings.

Red 40

Red 40, also known as Allura Red, is one of the most widely used food colorings. It’s found in a variety of processed foods, including candies, baked goods, and snacks. Red 40 linked to hyperactivity disorder in children and Allergic reactions. Some studies suggest that it may also increase the risk of cancer.

Yellow 5

Yellow No. 5, or tartrazine, is a common food coloring used in a wide range of products, from cereals to soft drinks. Allergic reactions may occur, especially in people who are sensitive to aspirin. There is also evidence to suggest that Yellow No. 5 may cause hyperactivity in children.

Yellow 6

Yellow 6, or Sunset Yellow, is used in a variety of processed foods, including sausages, baked goods, and snack foods. The dye has been associated with allergic reactions and may cause hyperactivity in children. Additionally, animal studies have raised concerns about its toxicity. Potential carcinogenic effects.

Blue 1

Blue 1, also known as Brilliant Blue, is found in beverages, candies, and baked goods. Animal studies suggest that Blue 1 may pose a health hazard, especially for people with pre-existing medical conditions. It has also been linked to allergic reactions and This can affect cell health.

Blue 2

Blue 2, or indigo carmine, is another synthetic dye used in processed foods and beverages. Animal studies suggest that Blue 2 is associated with an increased risk of: Brain tumorsIt has also been linked to allergic reactions and hyperactivity in children.

Green 3

Green 3, also known as Fast Green (hate that name lol), is less commonly used but is still found in processed foods like drinks and candy. This dye has been linked to a higher incidence of bladder tumors in animal studies. It may be dangerous to human health.

How to Avoid Food Coloring

Now that you know which food dyes to watch out for, here are some tips on how to avoid them.

Read the label

One of the easiest ways to avoid artificial colors is to carefully read the labels of the foods you buy. Look for terms like Red No. 40, Yellow No. 5, and Blue No. 1 on the ingredients list, and choose products that use natural colors instead.

Choose natural, unprocessed foods

Choosing whole, unprocessed foods is a surefire way to avoid artificial colors. Fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins are free of food colorings, making them healthier choices for you and your family.

Look for natural food colorings

If you’re looking for colorful foods, look for ones that use natural food colors derived from fruits, vegetables, and spices. Alternatives like beet juice and turmeric can provide vibrant colors without the health risks associated with synthetic colors. Whole Foods has natural Twizzlers that contain no food coloring. You can also find candy replicas that contain no coloring.

Avoid baked goods and snacks that contain artificial colors

Processed foods, especially baked goods and snacks, are often full of artificial colors. Instead, try baking at home using natural ingredients. This way you can control what’s going into your food and avoid harmful additives. Thrive Market There are lots of great no-dye options available too! This link Get 40% off your first purchase.

Final thoughts on food coloring

Food colorants may make products look better, but the potential health risks associated with these additives just aren’t worth it. If you’re thinking about giving up food colorants, we recommend reading labels carefully, choosing natural foods, and avoiding processed foods.

Or for a fun, dye-free snack that kids will love, try gelatin gummies that are great for gut health.

Are you avoiding food colorings? What about for your children?

This raises a thorny issue, but I’m also frustrated that food without color additives is generally expensive in this day and age of sky-high grocery prices. It can also be difficult for families to feed their children, so when looking for snack options that are organic and without color additives, it’s completely understandable that many snack options are expensive. Also, why can’t the US make versions without color additives like the EU does? Please.

(No shame or blame here. Live your best life. This is something I personally try to avoid and am sharing tips for anyone interested in cutting back on food coloring.)

Kiss

Gina