If you have been following The Real Food Experience 2014,
you know we have made it to Week 3. We
started out our Real Food Experience working in more fruits and vegetables into
our diet. One of our biggest challenges
was figuring out ways to include 2 fruits and or vegetables into our breakfast. We worked out some great solutions for that
dilemma. Last week we made the switch
from highly processed white flours and rice to eating whole grains. We even had fun trying some new grains. We’ve now reached Week 3, and it’s time to
start making some cuts from our diet. Up
until now, we really were just adding to our nutrition base. This is the first week we start talking about harmful food additives. This week may be a bigger challenge for many
of you.
you know we have made it to Week 3. We
started out our Real Food Experience working in more fruits and vegetables into
our diet. One of our biggest challenges
was figuring out ways to include 2 fruits and or vegetables into our breakfast. We worked out some great solutions for that
dilemma. Last week we made the switch
from highly processed white flours and rice to eating whole grains. We even had fun trying some new grains. We’ve now reached Week 3, and it’s time to
start making some cuts from our diet. Up
until now, we really were just adding to our nutrition base. This is the first week we start talking about harmful food additives. This week may be a bigger challenge for many
of you.
Week 3 Goal: Cut Out Artificial Colors From Your Diet.
Why would we want to cut out artificial colors from our
diet? Great question! The easy answer is because it just is not
real food, but there is more to it than that.
Artificial colors are made from petroleum, contaminants and
propylene glycol. I’m sure you have heard of petroleum. You may not know what propylene glycol is. It is the stuff that antifreeze is made of
and we all know we are not supposed to drink antifreeze. However, this is exactly what artificial
colors are made of. When I talk about
artificial colors, I am talking about food dyes including, but not limited to Yellow 5 and Red 40.
diet? Great question! The easy answer is because it just is not
real food, but there is more to it than that.
Artificial colors are made from petroleum, contaminants and
propylene glycol. I’m sure you have heard of petroleum. You may not know what propylene glycol is. It is the stuff that antifreeze is made of
and we all know we are not supposed to drink antifreeze. However, this is exactly what artificial
colors are made of. When I talk about
artificial colors, I am talking about food dyes including, but not limited to Yellow 5 and Red 40.
Doesn’t our government only approve ingredients in our food that won’t harm us? You would think, but that is not the case in the United States right now. The FDA has previously approved food dyes
that have since been banned and they still allow many food dyes that are banned
in other countries. Did you follow the
petition that was turned into Kraft Foods by Lisa Leake from 100 Days of Real
Food and Vani Hari from FoodBabe.com? Their
argument was that Kraft Macaroni and Cheese marketed to children contains food
dyes that have been removed from the UK recipe because it is believed that the food dyes create
hyperactivity in some children. Let’s
think about this……..I’ve got a kid that is on the edge. He is a little bit on the wild side, but
mostly well-behaved. I feed him macaroni and
cheese (his favorite) for lunch and suddenly he is out of control. I would not be alone. This is exactly what many parents see with
artificial color use. Since Kraft Foods
sells Macaroni and Cheese to families in the UK, they are required to use
natural dyes. Lisa and Vani’s petition
requested that they switch to the same recipe that Kraft uses in the UK.
that have since been banned and they still allow many food dyes that are banned
in other countries. Did you follow the
petition that was turned into Kraft Foods by Lisa Leake from 100 Days of Real
Food and Vani Hari from FoodBabe.com? Their
argument was that Kraft Macaroni and Cheese marketed to children contains food
dyes that have been removed from the UK recipe because it is believed that the food dyes create
hyperactivity in some children. Let’s
think about this……..I’ve got a kid that is on the edge. He is a little bit on the wild side, but
mostly well-behaved. I feed him macaroni and
cheese (his favorite) for lunch and suddenly he is out of control. I would not be alone. This is exactly what many parents see with
artificial color use. Since Kraft Foods
sells Macaroni and Cheese to families in the UK, they are required to use
natural dyes. Lisa and Vani’s petition
requested that they switch to the same recipe that Kraft uses in the UK.
It’s not just wild behavior we are concerned about with
artificial colors. The other concern is
CANCER. This is one of the words that I
hate most in the English language. My
life has been touched by cancer more times than I can count. I have had so many friends and family members
fight the cancer battle. Some with
success……. and others without success. I
am tired of crying cancer tears. I have
made Artificial Colors Enemy #1 In My House.
My college boy refers to red 40 as “cancer red.” Unfortunately, he breaks many of our real
food rules while he is at college, but the one that he tries to stay true to is
the avoidance of artificial colors. It
is just that serious of a problem.
artificial colors. The other concern is
CANCER. This is one of the words that I
hate most in the English language. My
life has been touched by cancer more times than I can count. I have had so many friends and family members
fight the cancer battle. Some with
success……. and others without success. I
am tired of crying cancer tears. I have
made Artificial Colors Enemy #1 In My House.
My college boy refers to red 40 as “cancer red.” Unfortunately, he breaks many of our real
food rules while he is at college, but the one that he tries to stay true to is
the avoidance of artificial colors. It
is just that serious of a problem.
This week’s challenge will require a lot of label
reading. We know that red licorice and
candy coated chocolates have artificial colors in them. However, you will be surprised at some of the
places you find artificial colors. White
cake mix, kidney beans, pickles………some of our surprises. You will also find artificial colors in lots
of breads, beverages, sauces and yogurts.
A positive to organic foods that you may not know, is that they do not
use artificial colors. Look at the
different ingredients on their labels.
This will help you to understand what you are looking for in the foods
you by.
reading. We know that red licorice and
candy coated chocolates have artificial colors in them. However, you will be surprised at some of the
places you find artificial colors. White
cake mix, kidney beans, pickles………some of our surprises. You will also find artificial colors in lots
of breads, beverages, sauces and yogurts.
A positive to organic foods that you may not know, is that they do not
use artificial colors. Look at the
different ingredients on their labels.
This will help you to understand what you are looking for in the foods
you by.
OK………it’s your turn.
Get looking at those labels. Let
me know what you find. Where did you
find artificial colors that surprised you?
Have you seen a difference in the way your children act when they eat
artificial colors? Come on……it’s not
just about the sugar at birthday parties.
Is there a food item that you cannot find now that you no longer are
eating artificial colors?Can’t get enough Juggling Real Food and Real Life? Make sure you subscribe to our email list so you don’t miss a post. You will also want to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest. Just look for the buttons at the top to follow us on your favorite social media. We also have a Real Food Experience Facebook group. If you would like to join us, leave me your Facebook email address (the one you sign on with) in the comments below or email me at jugglingrealfoodandreallife@gmail.com.
Get looking at those labels. Let
me know what you find. Where did you
find artificial colors that surprised you?
Have you seen a difference in the way your children act when they eat
artificial colors? Come on……it’s not
just about the sugar at birthday parties.
Is there a food item that you cannot find now that you no longer are
eating artificial colors?Can’t get enough Juggling Real Food and Real Life? Make sure you subscribe to our email list so you don’t miss a post. You will also want to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest. Just look for the buttons at the top to follow us on your favorite social media. We also have a Real Food Experience Facebook group. If you would like to join us, leave me your Facebook email address (the one you sign on with) in the comments below or email me at jugglingrealfoodandreallife@gmail.com.
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I learned something very new by coming here today. I have to admit that I do try to stay away from pre-packaged foods and candy because I can't always afford to buy the organic version and I also know that even though something says it's organic, it can be healthier but still not healthy for you, if that makes sense. This seriously works my nerves, Christina. People who are into politics really need to consider things like this. Our government, coupled with the US (regardless of party) approves and allows this nonsense. How can anyone logically think they care about us? I just saw a commercial yesterday or the other day saying Abilify, a medicine that was being used coupled with one's anti-depressant medication was now on the radar and people could sue for having complications because of it. This was just something that was FDA approved maybe not even a year ago. I could remember sitting through shows watching the commercial for this toxic garbage over and over again. When will we learn that the government and the FDA just don't care? It's hurts, but this is the real truth. You would think the media would see things like what you are talking about and share that with the public to say "look stop eating this because artificial flavors cause cancer," but no, instead they tell us the only way to prevent is to go to your doctor and get checked. Getting checked is nice, but why not share why people are getting cancer and why the doctors could be finding something? I could go on forever, but I know I can't haha! It all just makes me want to throw something. 🙁
I want to throw stuff too Brittnei! Instead, I write. The more I read and reserach, and observe the more I'm amazed at the situation we've allowed ourselves to be in with our food. I was watching local news the other day and they did a story about Kraft and their changes. The local anchor then comments about how they better not change her mac and cheese to that gross stuff like the UK has. What!? How is that responsible reporting? I haven't actually tasted the two versions, but from what I hear, you can't taste the difference. And if you could……….are you saying that you like the tast of petroleum? Really?! Why is it that so many people have cancer these days? It didn't used to be like this.
I found you on Twitter through Brittnei, and I'm so glad you are writing about this! My husband and I started our food awareness journey by first cutting out high fructose corn syrup. This was back in 2007, and I could not believe how prevalent it was in our diets! No clue! We've gradually (very gradually for me) adjusted our diets more and more. When I had my son, I became super sensitive to food dyes. It's in so much of our food, and for what reason? Thanks for being part of the solution!!
Hi Lauren! Thank you for your kind words. Congratulations on making such positive changes for your family. My husband and I read labels together. We look for the "trifecta". Sugar, corn syrup, and high fructose corn syrup all in one little package. Wow! That's a whole lot of sugar. The artificial colors add no nutrition. They are just there to make foods look prettier. I'm a big girl………I can handle some ugly food. Spare me the chemicals.
Great points! There is some assumption because our government is "in charge" of regulating, they are doing so for our own good. I have yet to see it for industries that end up being protected (ones that have strong unions). I don't think I eat a lot of things with dye, and havn't had Kraft Mac and Cheese in years! Thank you for linking up and sharing at Countdown in Style.
April
~~100lbcountdown.com~~
Good point April. That is a big assumtion! Seems to me like one we should not be making. Good job avoiding the dyes. I was shocked when I found all the places that they are used.
Pickles have artificial color?! Pickles are my favorite food on earth. Please don't tell me they are bad for me. I will eat pickled anything. Now I am going to be checking those labels too. I no longer buy sports drinks because of the artificial color.
Don't panic Michelle! Pickles are good for you. They make a great low calorie snack with all the health benefits of fermented foods. Just make sure you are buying pickles without artificial food dyes added.
I have cut *most* of the artificial colors in our lives. We do still have candy with artificial colors on *occasion.*
I limit these things because I'm aware of their side effects, sadly, not everyone else is.
I think we give our faith to those who are in charge… thinking we'll be safe because they have our backs.
I'm not sure this is our reality.
What's disgusting to me is conventional corn… GMO laced corn that is in so much of our foods. I don't even think people know how unreal our corn is in America.
We've cut back on our corn in our home, seeking only GMO-free Organic corn.
Isn't it sad we need a label for *real* food?
Organic corn?
Shouldn't it just be corn?
Maybe we should call the other stuff GMO Corn….
Thanks for sharing! I'm pinning and sharing!
xoxo
You make some excellent points. It's been just over a year since I found out about artificial colors. How can that be? I'm a college-educated and well-read woman and I had no idea. GMO corn makes me cry. It is in everything. All of those products with corn syrup, and high fructose corn syrup………..all GMO. I don't understand why our country continues to ignore the harmful effects. Labeling food is another pet peeve of mine. Why do I have to tell people I eat real food? What they heck are you eating if you aren't eating real food. Fake food? There is such a stink about labeling GMOs. How about we don't do that? Why don't we label everything that isn't GMO corn? It's all so crazy!
I'm so pleased you're writing about this!! I'm a dual national (UK & US) currently living in the US and I find it's sometimes impossible finding food without artificial colors in the States for my kids. Food containing artificial colors by law must have a warning label in UK and Europe – some countries completely ban them – because of the potential harm to kids. I wrote an article about this on my blog called 'Nightmare on Candy Street.' But it''s not just about candy. Even today at the supermarket when I was buying hot dog rolls I had to search until I found a 'natural' pack without artificial colors and high fructose corn syrup. I also discovered that some European brands use artificial colors when they sell to the American market – because the FDA says its okay – whereas they have only used natural colors in Europe for decades. It's absolutely brilliant that you're writing about this as I'm shocked how little is known about this in the US because food companies have been getting away with it here for too long.
Thanks so much for commenting Kriss. It is really interesting to hear your perspective. I've heard about the warning label and it just makes me shake my head. The average American thinks we've got it all figured out here in this country. We are progressive and ahead of the curve. So wrong! We don't even know that artificial food dyes are harmful and other countries are already labeling them. What's worse……..highly colored foods are marketed to children. Those that are the most sensitive to them. Many companies already have the recipes that don't include artificial food dyes and yet they choose not to use them in the US because they can get away with it. We've got to stop this craziness. I encourage my readers to "Vote" with their dollars on a regular basis. If we quit buying the artifiicial garbage they sell, they will have to change. We can't wait for our government to take care of us any longer. We need to take care of our families.