How foods with hidden additive ingredients affect children’s behavior has been weighing on my mind as I’ve watched Mamas struggle with increasingly belligerent and aggressive kids.
This topic is just too important to ignore.
My heart aches for the struggling Mamas who feel much of this is beyond their control because they have been coerced by social pressures to turn over control of their child’s diet, education and health to others.
You are enough, Mama. Trust the intuition God gave you and go against the status quo! The next generation is counting on us!
Connection Between Food & Behavior
One of our sons also had a serious behavior issue at the same time we were dealing with food allergies, candida, and leaky gut (from mold exposure), so I was able to witness first hand the strong connection between his food and his behavior.
It began between ages 4 and 5 as this normally respectful and willing child became a hitting, crying, resistant hand-full!
As a homeschooling mother, I wanted him to have every advantage to grow and learn, but all my best resources and plans were being messed with by things that at first appeared beyond my control.
That foods affect children’s behavior is a huge topic these days. We all have heard Moms joking at a kid’s party about the sugar buzz and how it will take a while for their child to settle down, so we all intuitively know that certain foods cause problems! I think we are becoming more aware, but everyone should know this!
If you are a doubter, you need to see how foods affect children’s behavior with your own eyes!
The British Experiment
It is obvious that the children not only followed instructions and behaved better, but concentrated better, and remembered more when they eat healthier food. Concentration, following instructions, and memory are fundamental building blocks of the learning process and vital for success at school.
The ‘E numbers’ she refers to in the video are codes for substances that can be used as food additives within the European Union and Switzerland. In the US, there are code words that the FDA allows for hidden additives, and you can find the list here at Truth In Labeling.
I discuss the topic of MSG-forming compounds (otherwise known as excitotoxins) added to our food supply in Excitotoxins: The Taste That Kills.
Setting Kids [and Ourselves] Up For Success Or Failure?
Moms and Dads certainly want to give good things to their children. Part of that may mean feeding them “normal food” that won’t make them look different from their friends. But some of our children are being undermined in ways that make it difficult for them to follow instructions, remember yesterday’s lesson, and in general perform well in school.
We feed them processed foods that can make them aggressive and difficult to control. On top of that, their inability to learn and out-of-control behavior earns them negative feedback and in the worst cases, they get labeled or prescribed unnecessary drugs. No parent wants this for their child.
How Foods Can Cause Criminal Behavior
Three of the Top Problematic Things to Eat:
1. Artificial Coloring in Foods
Food dyes are one of the most widely used and dangerous additives. While the European Union has recently placed regulations on labeling food dyes to inform consumers of the health risks, the United States has no such requirement.
• Blue #1 (Brilliant Blue) A study suggests that Blue 1 caused kidney tumors in mice. What it’s in: Baked goods, beverages, desert powders, candies, cereal, drugs, and other products.
• Blue #2 (Indigo Carmine) Causes a statistically significant incidence of tumors, particularly brain gliomas, in male rats. What it’s in: Colored beverages, candies, pet food, & other food and drugs.
• Citrus Red #2 It’s toxic to rodents at modest levels and caused tumors of the urinary bladder and possibly other organs. What it’s in: Skins of Florida oranges.
• Green #3 (Fast Green) Caused significant increases in bladder and testes tumors in male rats. What it’s in: Drugs, personal care products, cosmetic products except in eye area, candies, beverages, ice cream, sorbet, ingested drugs, lipsticks, and externally applied cosmetics.
• Red #3 (Erythrosine) Recognized in 1990 by the FDA as a thyroid carcinogen in animals and is banned in cosmetics and externally applied drugs. What it’s in: Sausage casings, oral medication, maraschino cherries, baked goods, and candies.
• Red #40 (Allura Red) This is the most-widely used and consumed dye. It may accelerate the appearance of immune system tumors in mice. It may cause or trigger hyperactivity in children. What it’s in: Beverages, bakery goods, dessert powders, candies, cereals, foods, drugs, and cosmetics.
• Yellow #5 (Tartrazine) Yellow 5 causes sometimes-severe hypersensitivity reactions and might trigger hyperactivity and other behavioral effects in children. What it’s in: Pet foods, numerous bakery goods, beverages, dessert powders, candies, cereals, gelatin desserts, and many other foods, as well as pharmaceuticals and cosmetics.
• Yellow #6 (Sunset Yellow) Caused adrenal tumors in animals and occasionally causes severe hypersensitivity reactions. What it’s in: Color bakery goods, cereals, beverages, dessert powders, candies, gelatin deserts, sausage, cosmetics, and drugs.
2. Hidden Sugar in Foods
There is a shocking amount of sugar in processed foods – and some of it is hidden in places you wouldn’t think.
You probably know, a 12 oz. can of coke has 9 ½ teaspoons of sugar, but the same amount of Tropicana Orange Juice has 9 teaspoons. There’s also lots of sugar in flavored yogurts and chocolate milk – not so surprising. But did you know that there is often sugar in savory foods, such as ketchup, bread, sausages, and barbecue sauce? Your child can consume a considerable amount of sugar even before you let him or her eat candy.
Pediatrician Lendon H. Smith, M.D., nationally famous as “The Children’s Doctor,” was very plain in stating that sugar causes ‘profound mood disorders’.
3. Preservatives
• Potassium sorbate (in margarine, dips, cakes, fruit products)
• Sodium benzoate (in juices, soft drinks, syrups, medications)
• Sulphites (in dried fruit, fruit drinks, sausages, and many others)
• Propionates (in bread, bakery products)
• Nitrates, Nitrites (in processed deli meats like ham, bacon, and sausages)
• BHA, BHT
Our food has changed so drastically in the last few decades it is no wonder that food-related behavior and learning problems in children are increasing. Contrary to what many parents think, additives – more importantly than just sugar – are to blame for behavior problems. Reactions are related to dose, so the more additives children eat, the more likely they are to be affected.
Additives are now used widely in foods such as bread, butter, crackers, yogurt, juice and energy bars as well as in junk food. Parents who say ‘we eat healthy food’ are generally shocked to find that their children can be consuming 20 additives or more per day.
Foods Affect Children’s Behavior
There is no doubt foods affect children’s behavior. Additive-free children are generally calmer, happier and more cooperative.
Irritability, temper outbursts, bi-polar disorder, defiance, restlessness, and difficulty falling asleep are some of the outcomes.
Parents rarely realize that chemicals in food can also be associated with many other effects including arguing with siblings, making silly noises, speech delay, anxiety, depression or difficulty concentrating.
The majority of food additives that have been invented in the last few decades, have been created for the sole purpose to improve the bottom line of the food industry – not our health.
We need to educate ourselves on food ingredients and demand more rigorous safety standards along with transparency from the companies that make them.
Here is a great place to start to change things in your home: ‘Better Than Kool-Aid’ Recipe
We are a nation full of unexplained illness. My job as an activist/researcher Mom will always be to look out for you and your family.
It’s a role I fell into with my son, and it’s all of our roles, to question this system that has become corrupted and not designed to protect the public.
What has YOUR experience been?
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Abby
Thank you Jacqueline, for your time and wisdom, sharing this article. I’m going to pass this on to all my circle of family and friends who have little ones. Many I know are already aware of food dye problems, but this has article is very informative. My grandson is 6 years old and gets frequent headaches, he already knows many of the triggers that are food related. I have seen him cut the frosting off certain cakes or cupcakes at birthday parties.
Charlotte Moore
So true as what we eat can sure make a difference in how we feel and act. No wonder so many children act the way they do at a young age.
Rebekah
I 100% agree and I would love to know some of your strategies for weaning kids off some of these foods. My 2 year olds diet consists mostly of deli meat, cheese, and fruit. I have a hard time getting her to taste new things and would love some advice on getting her to eat more real food. Thank you!
Jacqueline
I will have to write a post on that, Rebekah. I think that helping her understand how specific foods cause her consequences will help. Give her opportunity to see how certain things affect her and keep a chart with reactions so she comes to know how bad it it and (particularly) how much BETTER she can feel when she stays away from certain things. Tell her (and then do it along the way) you will help her find tasty and healthier substitutes for the problematic foods. Start by making her this: https://deeprootsathome.com/?s=kool-Aid Everyone loves it!!
God bless you in this important effort!
samera
I agree with your article for the most part but I had to lol here…
Make her 2 year old understand? Really? How?
Jacqueline
Yea, Samera! I get it! That’s a tough one…sometimes we need to use tough love and in the long run they will see the results and thank you 😀
Jennifer
I’ve recently discovered your site and I LOVE all of the information you’re able to provide (with sources to back it up!). However, like previous commentors, I struggle with how to IMPLEMENT all of these great ideas. I’m a young mom of three children under five years old. A sample menu plan or something might be helpful in getting us busy mamas started. Its overwhelming to think of all the bad things in our foods, and sometimes we just don’t know where to begin! A list of suggested snacks for young children and toddlers would be helpful, too. I just need a little guidance. Thank you!
Jacqueline
Jennifer, I am a big fan of very simple foods (especially when your children are really little b/c they don’t know anything else and are easy to train into healthful eating. I wish I had a menu plan ready to post for you, but I don’t.
We used to do (and still do as they are in their young 20s) a lot of:
-free range eggs and sprouted grain toast (for breakfast)(slathered in virgin coconut oil while the toast is warm with a bit of really raw honey), French toast in egg batter with coconut oil, cinnamon and a touch of honey https://deeprootsathome.com/egg-in-the-basket-a-cheery-breakfast/ and https://deeprootsathome.com/cast-iron-skillet-frittata-quick-and-easy/
-avocados, fresh veggies like organic celery, carrots, Romaine, broccoli, cauliflower (rabbit food 🙂 (things I grow in the small garden yearly like zucchini, red peppers, tomatoes, lettuces, cilantro, cabbage), cooked beets and drink the juice (excellent for skin and blood cleanser) if I buy it I look at organic as an investment in future health…
-roasts and meats: mainly grass-fed roasts and hamburger patties (already formed saves time) from a local farmer, pastured turkey, pastured chickens (to make broth for many dishes: https://deeprootsathome.com/8-age-defying-reasons-why-i-drink-bone-broth/ and https://deeprootsathome.com/succulent-stress-free-turkey-for-dummies/ I also love to get the lamb roasts from Costco and add potatoes, carrots and onions when I want to make a lot of food or have a big group for dinner.
-raw nuts like almonds, walnuts, etc. stay away from peanuts due to mold contamination. Also we use a Lot of almond butter like this brand http://amzn.to/2dmJBFM (not usual brands you see in store with added oils).
-all manner of fruit (pineapple, oranges, apples, mangoes, raspberries, etc.) organic and washed. I make lots of fruit smoothies with added greens (adding bee pollen, flax oil, hemp oil, or hemp seed for Omega-3 fatty acids for brain development in children and repair in adults) http://amzn.to/2dnAq3P and http://amzn.to/2df7RVx
This is just a smattering of ideas yet, I know this hasn’t really answered your question. I do cook recipes, but always use fresh and unprocessed whole foods. I hope that helps a little! 😀
Aimee
I suggest taking allof those foods she likes but should not eat out of the house and replace with what she should eat. Cold turkey is the only way to go when your children are small and should not rule the roost with what they do or don’t want to eat. It will be a tough week or two especially the first week, for you mostly (dpeaking from experience) but tough it out and in the end your child will be better for it.
Jacqueline
Yes, Aimee, thank you for adding that! Very important, I agree. Doing it all at once is more expedient, less expensive and confusing in the long run and will yield better results for everyone. Your children will likely even see a big difference and get more on board!!
Jill York
This is such excellent information!
Jacqueline
Thank you, Jill! It is certainly something I feel passionate about.
Lorinda
My youngest brother was effected by food coloring and preservatives. We were blessed to live next to someone who worked with the Feingold Association. They had a bulls eye poster of food that are often triggers. The red circle in the middle were things to avoid and the largest green outer circle gave ideas of things that were the best. Back then they gave recommendations of brands of products. The Feingold Diet was published by Dr. Feingold. We had to learn to make foods from scratch. I think all of the siblings really benefited from what we thought was just helping our brother.
Jacqueline
That is neat how much that Feingold poster helped you, Lorinda!
If you ever find a link to it online, I’d be interested in seeing it!
THANK YOU!!
Tabby
My son is on the spectrum & I am reading up on all the additives and foods that we should cut out of his diet. I’ve learned to make homemade food a lot more now, and although making things from scratch can take awhile, I think it is worth it to know what is going in his food.
Lorinda, I am interested in knowing where I can find (maybe a website perhaps) this bulls eye poster / chart of things to avoid, etc. It would help me out so much! My son is almost 2 and has almost every sign/characteristic of Autism. As his parent I want him to have the best life possible & that has to start with his health and what he eats! THANK YOU!
Jacqueline
Tabby, I have been looking for you (in case Lorinda doesn’t see your question) but haven’t found it yet. BUT, I did find this link and a chart (circles around a circle) with good info: http://sunbeamschools.com/autismcentre.aspx
I am praying for you and hope this helps. James 1:5: “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.”
Nicole
This is interesting. We do not purchase food coloring for baking, though I know some of the pre-made foods we occasionally purchase have food coloring in them. I try to make things homemade to avoid preservatives.
Jacqueline
Excellent, Nicole! It is best to make your own food and avoid the additives. I know it takes more time, but you will likely have more peace in the long-run because of the vigilance! Blessings, dear Mama!
Andrea Dvorachek
Hi,
This is great info (I will look at the videos when I have more time). I wish the FDA would be stricter with their regulations. Eating healthy is expensive. I have 8 children and I try to give them healthy foods (with the occasional treat). It takes a lot of time to do homemade everything (especially snacks) and a lot of money to do organic. I am forced to buy on-sale foods and do not have time to make everything…it is sad to think that we even have to watch which oranges we buy now! Thanks for the info…I will pass on. God bless!
Jacqueline
Oh, dear, Andrea,
I struggle with writing many times as I don’t want it to come across as a judgement of guilt trip or even worse to cause discouragement. I hope in some way it helps you and others to make healthy choices. I pray the Lord gives you wisdom and insight in this battle that we all face! Hugs!!
Sherry
Thanks for sharing this information about food allergies and behavior. I’ve been saying for about two years that this is what’s wrong with my grandson. Your post has inspired me to try out a few things with him. Thanks for linking up and sharing with us at Funtastic Friday. Hope you join us again this week.
Jacqueline
Sherry, I will try and join in on Friday…Can you send me an email as a prompt? Thanks, and I wish you much success with your grandson!
God bless you, friend!
Stacey
Just a tiny bit of one of my older son’s allergens can cause him to go from his normal, sweet self to a tiny terror. We didn’t realize how bad it was until the allergens had all been removed. Turns out, most of the terrible twos were his allergies (the new ones we didn’t know).
Jacqueline
Wow, Stacey…it is amazing what we learn what affects us and our children! So glad you are discovering the problematic things!
Jedidja
Thank you! I suffer from palpitations. Someone gave me as a tip: maybe you’re allergic for some things in your food. I researched my instant caramel coffee, the meatballs out of a tin, the prepared salademix from the store. I’m shocked. I stopped with the tasty, specialty coffee. The meatballs I make now self and salademix too. My palpitation is greatly reduced.
Thanks for this post. Its about childs but we as moms must change too …
I think, after reading your blog, I’ll look in an other way to the food I give to my childs.
Jacqueline
Oh, Jedidja,
I am so glad that you are onto this now…it is a terrible problem for SO, So many people! Love you, dear old friend! 🙂
Lisa Isabella Russo
So much to think about! Thanks for putting this together.
Rebekah
I’m intrigued by this information and often have the desire to help my family by eliminating some of these harmful ingredients that you reference. However, I am quite overwhelmed by the magnitude of information out there on healthy eating and really have no idea where to start! I am a very busy homeschooling mother of eight and don’t have the time to spend in large amounts of research. Where do I start in helping my family eat better? I am also concerned about the cost of feeding our large family in ways that would eliminate these ingredients.
Jacqueline
One place to start is to know the additives that are detrimental…and not just a little, but a lot, when cumulative over time. Here are some articles I wrote in the order of importance that will distill it for you and give you a fighting edge:
https://deeprootsathome.com/does-tasty-kill-excitotoxins/
https://deeprootsathome.com/which-is-worse-sugar-or-aspartame/
https://deeprootsathome.com/addictive-flavors-foods-to-avoid/
https://deeprootsathome.com/better-than-kool-aid/ – just one way to beat the unhealthy drink choices…also plain water…
Unfortunately, we are in a sort of catch 22 where we have to make hard choices. My advice is to pray and ask the Lord to show you ways to cut costs on food. He will show you, though, it will be a learning curve. Keep reading and praying. I keep dried Organic oats, rice, beans, lots of eggs on hand, cook down bones for broth-based meals (very inexpensive nutrition), and we found a farmer who raises clean meat w/o antibiotic and hormones, etc. I does cost more, but will cost WAY LESS in the long run emotionally and on health costs…We have chosen to look at it as insurance against future health issues, wasted family time, productivity, and risks at the hands on the current medical system. My motto is pay now or pay later. I wish I had a magic solution, but I hope this helps a little. Be encouraged. If you are starting to understand, that is the biggest hurdle for most people. also, if you have an older daughter, maybe give her a homeschool project (or make it a full class) to develop a weekly menu to address these concerns!
I am praying for you and so many. We are all caught up in this sad state of affairs, but we will not let it get the best of us!
Thanks for your comment, dear mama.
samera
Or son ?
Kelly @RaisingSamuels
Wow, thank you for this breakdown of all the different additives and dyes that can affect a child’s behavior. This is a valuable resource to many parents and I am so glad you shared this amazing post with #SocialButterflySunday this week! I hope you will be linking up again this week 🙂
Deb
Thank you so much for sharing this information! My son reacts very strongly to Red 40. He becomes extremely aggressive and hyper, among other heinous issues. It’s as if he has autism for five or six days. In the beginning I felt very alone in believing food coloring was the cause. Even though he eats very little processed food, you have motivated me to investigate other food dyes that he maybe be inadvertently consuming on occasion. Even ex I am searching for a way to get the Red 40 out of his system faster when someone unknowingly feeds it to him due to its long lasting and severe effects. I cannot believe the food industry poisons our children with this unnecessary junk. Thank you again for stepping up!
Jacqueline
You are welcome, Deb. I am so sorry we moms have to deal with this. This may sound strange but beet juice from beets you cook slowly on the stove will pull some of it out. It is a strong blood cleanser and also removes Poison ivy and other toxins if you get to it in 4-5 hours or less. We keep cooking beets and have it on hand much of the time. Blessings, friend.
Kathleen
Most of that information has been talked about for years. I notice here there is a big decrease in food coloring. Aldi, claim to be artificial color free. This information is so important I will put this post at the top for next Friday.
Thanks for being at Fridays Blog Booster Party, I would like to see this party on your list:)
Kathleen
Debbie
It does concern me the impact of our new eating habits in the way we feel and in our health.
The disbalance generated by excessive sugar and highly processed food is bigger than many want to assume. And our little ones suffer the most. Great post, Jacqueline.
#FridayBlogBooster
Jacqueline
Thank you, Debbie. After seeing what happened to our son, I had a lot of investigating to do to find out the cause. He is now ‘back’ to being emotionally stable and physically vital because his gut health is restored and he strongly avoids all the additives.
Blessings to you and yours!
Jessica
This all sounds fine and dandy, but what if your child will not eat healthy if you ea your child will not eat healthy foods? You have tried everything under the sun and it is not working. We have tried the ” i’m not going to let you leave the table without eating this. If you don’t eat you will go hungry at night.” And they will literally just not eat until they have breakfast in the next day. This is unhealthy and I not sure what you are saying is as easy as you think it is
Plain Bre
Yes, This article is so on point.
My daughter just turned 4. She has had a complex medical history since birth. Including 12 surgeries and she will need them every 5 months. Failure to Thrive, Scoliosis, Smith Magenis Syndrome, Severe Self harming, Aggression and level 3 autism. Blood disorder and seizures due to mold exposure. And on top of that she doesn’t sleep because her body doesn’t create melatonin.
When she was 2 the aggression and self harming became so bad that we had to let my mother in law take my son for several weeks while we struggled to deal with it and find the reason. We figured that stress had something to do with it. So, we did our best to create as much of a stress free home for her sake. That didn’t help at all. We decided to make the difficult decision to medicate. After almost a year on meds they still didn’t seem to be changing her behaviors aside from slower response times. She has been through therapy after therapy after therapy. And they all want you to give her your undivided attention, form your house and schedule around her and everything else. We tried that for awhile and still only seemed to get worse because we seemed to only be feeding her desire for attention.
Being I am in to natural methods. I decided to start doing some research with her. We cut dairy and switched to coconut and almond milk only. only cut dairy in most everything. By doing that we did find out that both her and my 3 year old son are lactose intolerant and have extreme tummy aches for up to 24 hours after consuming dairy. (Only learned this after they had ice cream for their birthday) That shocked me and was really against everything we had been doing. Because she had failure to thrive we were encouraged to add extra cheese, eggs, whole milk and anything fattening to help her gain weight. And all this time she had been allergic to it. :/
After we figured that out I started making homemade everything. From bread, dessert, hot chocolate, pasta sauces………… And will be making homemade juices beginning tomorrow. We have cut all dyes, additives and preservatives. And we are now buying our meat and everything of that nature from an organic farm near us.
We have noticed a definite change in behaviors for the better. Switching from all of that has also allowed us to see that alot of her melt downs are defiance and tantrums than they are actual medically induced meltdowns. And that has now allowed us to be able to figure out that we NEED to now work on obedience with a happy heart.
Also another thing is television. We had one that she was allowed to watch cartoons on. And every time it was on she became extremely aggressive and self injurious as it was over stimulating her brain.
She is special needs and I won’t say that all of her issues are caused by food and what she does. But, 80% of it I would say is.
Thank you so much for sharing this.
Jacqueline
Oh, my! Thank you for sharing this trial here, Bre. Perhaps the Lord may use it to encourage someone else reading here. And may our Savior continue to give you abundantly more than you could ever ask or imagine as you seek Him with your children, marriage, and faith! He alone is able. Praying for productive work in the obedience area. I/we had to ask forgiveness of our son when we found out that NOT disciplining him was actually causing him to develop a lack of self-control. We (and later he) knew going into life without self-control and an ability to self-govern the will would be a liability for him, and we’re so glad we got a hold of his heart. Now he is a responsible and conscientious young man, but understanding that early was a key to his success! I am praying for you all, Bre! God bless you!
Marie
I wish I had known all this when my family was a lot younger. Changing our diet has made a huge difference in our home. Thanks for sharing this valuable information.