At some point, you've probably heard that you and especially your children should avoid artificial food coloring, and that there are many reasons why you should. Research has found that children consuming too many food dyes can result in adverse reactions such as: allergies, hyperactivity, and difficulty concentrating. Many foods contain artificial food dyes so make sure you check ingredient labels even on foods that you might not think would contain dyes (pizza, macaroni and cheese) and foods that are marketed as “healthy” or “natural” (granola bars). Artificial food dyes are listed on the ingredient labels, so be sure to read the label closely looking for: Blue 1, Blue 2, Green 3, Red 3, Red 40, Yellow 5, Yellow 6, FD&C Lakes (combination of colors), Citrus Red #2, and Artificial Color. You can also avoid artificial food coloring by choosing organic foods, because certified organic products cannot contain artificial colors. As a parent, you want what is best for your children, so here is a list of common foods with food coloring and some healthier alternatives:

Instant flavored Oatmeal Packets and Cups

Example: Quaker Instant Oatmeal Maple and Brown Sugar Healthier Swap: Plain oatmeal with fresh toppings (fruit, honey, cinnamon, vanilla)

Salad Dressings

Example: Kraft, Wishbone Healthier Swap: Homemade salad dressings

Cereals

Example: Cinnamon Toast Crunch, Trix, Kellogg's Raisin Bran Crunch Cereal, Kellogg's, Special K Fruit & Yogurt Cereal Healthier Swap: Envirokidz Cereals

Syrup

Example: Aunt Jemima Butter Rich Syrup, Mrs. Butterworth's Syrup Original Healthier Swap: Grade A pure maple syrup

Flavored Applesauce

Healthier Swap: Homemade flavor applesauce and unflavored applesauce

Candy

Example: M&Ms, Skittles Healthier Swap: Mott’s Medley’s fruit snacks, chocolate without any candy coating

Microwave Popcorn

Healthier Swap: Air-pop popcorn or popped in pot with olive oil and toppings added.

Artificially Flavored Drinks

Example: Soda, sports beverages, juice cocktails Healthier Swap: Punch 100% fruit juice

Frozen Treats

Example: Popsicles and Ice Cream Healthier Swap: Make your own popsicles using fresh fruit and 100% juices or smoothies

Certain Flavored Yogurts

Healthier Swaps: Plain yogurt and add toppings such as smashed fruit, honey, granola, etc.

Baked Goods

Healthier Swap: Naturally color homemade baked goods (cupcakes, icing, etc.) with smashed and strained fruits

Chips (BBQ and other flavors)

Healthier Swap: Plain potato chips (Ruffles), tortilla chips (but not colored ones)

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