Red Dyes: Dishing the Dirt

THE DIRTY TRUTH ABOUT RED DYE NO. 3 AND OTHER FOOD ADDITIVES

California’s Red Dye No. 3 ban swept not only Skittles off the shelves, but also the classic “Peeps” Springtime marshmallow treats, and many private-label (store-brand) frostings, candies, fruit cocktail mixes and eye-catching cookies. The harmful effects of food dyes has been no secret considering the 1990 Nationwide ban of Red Dye No. 3 in cosmetics, due to it’s hormone-disrupting qualities and cancer-contributing effects on the body.

What’s so dirty about the Dyes though, and what’s truly going on inside when consumed? Red Dye #3, #40, and all other food dyes are processed in the body as an “EXCITOTOXIN” pronounced “EXCITE – OH – TOXIN” and rightfully so.

What is an EXCITOTOXIN?

When consumed, the chemical compounds of food dyes are delivered straight to the brain. Since the dyes are synthetic and artificial, brain cells react by getting EXCITED. Just like little children on a candy high, brain cells are “bouncing off the walls” and into each other from the chemical. Many brain cells bounce SO hard against each other, that they die… this surprise excess cellular die-off creates a toxic load directly in the processing center of the entire body, directly impacting focus, memory, and behavioral health in children AND even adults. Side effects of excitotoxins can appear to bring on symptoms of ADD, ADHD, violence, and even Autism-spectrum in some individuals. Additionally, the extra dead cells build a lingering acidic environment that stores in the lymphatic system, (or sewer system), which is a recipe for inflammation, cancer-cell development, and overall “dis-ease.” This pH dysregulation additionally creates gut health havoc in the stomach, small intestines, and large intestines, eventually disrupting the body’s ability to properly break down and utilize nutrients from even the healthiest of meals.

There’s More Dirt to Dish Out

This dirty little Food Dye secret gets dirtier, with more excitotoxins in a wide variety of packaged foods from the grocery store isles.

The primary 4 processed food ingredients to raise red flags for your health and your children’s health are the following:

Food Dyes
Trans Fats (Hydrogenated Oils)
High Fructose Corn Syrup
Artificial Sweeteners

Complicating the dished-out dirt

To top off all this S.A.D. (Standard American Diet) information that is truly sad, things do get even more sticky and tricky for consumers and conscious shoppers. In the past 5-10 years the USDA food labeling laws have been twisting terms and redefining the requirements for ingredients, making quick on-the-go shoppers unable to detect the top 4 toxic food additives mentioned above.

Simple Solutions: Ditching the Dirt

The NUMBER ONE strategy for avoiding food ingredients that contribute to neurological, behavioral and physical health complications is to STOP CONSUMING THEM. The NUMBER TWO strategy is to follow code “R.E.D.”

RESEARCH ::: RESEARCH & EDUCATE YOURSELF ABOUT QUESTIONABLE INGREDIENTS ON FOOD LABELS.
EMPOWER ::: EMPOWER YOURSELF BY TAKING CHARGE OF YOUR FAMILY’S FOOD CONSUMPTION THROUGH THE KNOWLEDGE YOU ACQUIRE.
DEDICATE :::DEDICATE YOUR LIFESTYLE TO BUILDING NEW HABITS AND HOBBIES TO FACILITATE CHANGE

If you or your family LOVE colors and sweet fruity flavors, be sure to check out my Pinkalicious Smoothie Series recipe, posted here!

Is there a healthier Skittles alternative you love to integrate into your kitchen? Comment below with your creative Red Dye replacements!