Color is for Crayons

Written by Robyn Holder Robyn Holder

Published: 14 April 2018 14 April 2018

One of my pet peeves is the food dyes that are added to our foods and medicines. Why? I feel it’s bad enough that color is added to our processed food – we want it to look good - but why our medicines?  Do we really need them to be red, green or yellow? 

Colors used in food, drugs and cosmetics are listed as FD&C colors.  They are often synthesized from petroleum and coal-tar products. This might be okay for crayons, but is it okay for what you eat?

While these colors are considered safe by the Food and Drug Administration, they are tested singly, each color by itself.  However, most food products contain two or more colors, and when combined in a food, can pose a significant hazard.  If a person is healthy, their body can probably provide the necessary detoxification to remove the colors.  But, if a person’s health is challenged, or they eat poorly, the additive can begin to cause health problems.

Experts say colored foods can cause allergic reactions, liver stress and behavior problems, especially in children.  Dr. Elson Haas, one of my favorite nutrition doctors, finds it absurd that the most prescribed pharmaceutical for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder contains one of the Yellow colors that is highest on the hyposensitivity list!  Be vigilant and check your medicines!  I often have clients who have been instructed to take a fiber powder – to “help their health” – and just about every fiber powder contains a coloring agent!

Take stock of your medicine cabinet and read the labels.  If your over-the-counter products contain food coloring, think twice about using it. Try to find one that doesn’t contain anything FD&C. 

Begin to read labels on the processed foods you consume regularly.  If the labels list a lot of coloring additives, ask yourself if there might be a healthier choice for you and your family. 

If you need help learning to read food labels, give us a call.  We offer a label reading class for individuals, or as part of a corporate wellness presentation.  Invite us into your workplace and we’ll help you learn to read labels, make better choices and eat more healthfully!

To Your Vitality!

 

Sources:  Staying Healthy with Nutrition, by Dr. Elson Haas,