Children’s Health–Artificial Colors, Flavors and Preservatives

 

tap…tap….Is this thing on? Is anyone still here? Oh good…Scott always makes me nervous when he reads my posts and says, “YOU SAID THAT?” but this site had record views over the last two days, so guess I did something right. That’s why I created this blog…to be honest; SOMEBODY has to be. So thank you for your return. I hope the things that you are learning are blessing your lives and the lives of those in your families.

I am SO excited for the post today. It will be packed with information that will be so valuable! The other day I made a list in my post of the average child’s diet in America. Here’s what I know…

1. The majority of children in our country eat this way. That diet has been ingrained in our parents, and their parents since they were kids roughly a half century ago; when the “convenience” movement really began to soar. It’s all over the shelves at the supermarket, and it dominates daytime cartoon TV. Having a McDonald’s happy meal has become a rite of passage. (Lucky for me, our oldest still calls McDonald’s "Old McDonald’s”) I guess it’s a blessing in a way that this way of eating in our country is only a couple of generations deep, maybe that means it won’t be impossible to reverse.

2. A sad number of children are marked by the label ‘A.D.D.’ or ‘A.D.H.D.’ Or…along those same lines, your child may not have ever been “diagnosed” with anything, but do you ever find that they have a difficult time focusing? How about being obedient? Do they struggle to sit quietly for any length of time? Does it ever seem like they aren’t in control of their mind or body?

3. There was a very interesting study done about 6 years ago linking hyperactivity in children to artificial colors, flavors and preservatives. Make sure to read it here. Whenever my kids end up being served foods that are not on our families “approval list”, (we don’t actually have a physical list…this is just for your mental note) their behavior is night and day different from normal, and I pump them full of water to try and dilute the junk. I remember a handful of years ago having a discussion with a parent at a meeting we were at. This person’s daughter was rolling around on the floor, not able to hold still. The parent made the comment, “She’s so wild…we can’t figure it out.” whilst the child was snacking on a ziploc bag full of colorful marshmallows. hmmm. I had a good chuckle.

4. The majority of the foods on that list I made of the average child’s diet contain one, two, or all three of these things. (artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives)  Just take a quick walk to your pantry and take a look at the ingredients. You may be surprised...or horrified.

The saddest part about all of this is that we have been raised tasting “non-foods”. Our palates actually prefer the flavors of “test-tube” food over the flavors of REAL food…for awhile. Believe me…that changes. I can’t stand the flavor of "vanillin” anymore, the artificial vanilla flavor found in most chocolate candies, and even some people’s pantries. I LOVE chocolate, but I will honestly pass now if it’s not REAL. It’s not even appealing anymore. My tastes have recovered. Here is one other article that you MUST read about how flavors, colors, and preservatives are manufactured. Here it is. Don’t miss it.

Now, this is still a subject that is quite controversial. Both sides argue that they are right.  (The food industry and the rest of the world). There are suggestions that genetics play a part in ADHD as well. Here are my thoughts about that.

1. ‘Genetics’ seem to be the scape-goat for all things nasty that no one wants to claim responsibility for, because that obviously puts things “out of our control” as I stated in my last post.

2.  Here’s the thing about genetics. They change; they evolve…and they do so in response to OUR HABITS. How many of you make specific food or crave specific food because “that’s what your mom always made” or even your grandma? So, yes certain things may be genetic…but a great deal of that comes through HABITS passed on. You can even have genetic “imbalances” in your body, but that doesn’t mean you are destined to be on the same path as those in your family. There are always going to be things that you can do to “strengthen those weaknesses”. Never throw your hands up and accept that things are out of your control.

My conclusions? If there is already a strong possibility that these artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives are dangerous…why risk it? It’s not worth it to me…and I can confidently say that they don’t exist in our house. Now…in true Camber fashion, I have to leave you with something mind-blowing. I can help it. I just feel making you aware of things is really important. Ignorance may be bliss…but that doesn’t take away the consequences of bad food choices for ourselves and for our children. One of my favorite comparisons is to gravity. You may not like gravity…but if you step off a cliff, you are going to fall. Plain and simple. Now below is a preview of the link above that will blow your mind.

Have you ever even stopped to wonder what might be in:

Strawberry Flavor?

amyl acetate, amyl butyrate, amyl valerate, anethol, anisyl formate, benzyl acetate, benzyl isobutyrate, butyric acid, cinnamyl isobutyrate, cinnamyl valerate, cognac essential oil, diacetyl, dipropyl ketone, ethyl acetate, ethyl amyl ketone, ethyl butyrate, ethyl cinnamate, ethyl heptanoate, ethyl heptylate, ethyl lactate, ethyl methylphenylglycidate, ethyl nitrate, ethyl propionate, ethyl valerate, heliotropin, hydroxyphenyl-2-butanone (10 percent solution in alcohol), a-ionone, isobutyl anthranilate, isobutyl butyrate, lemon essential oil, maltol, 4-methylacetophenone, methyl anthranilate, methyl benzoate, methyl cinnamate, methyl heptine carbonate, methyl naphthyl ketone, methyl salicylate, mint essential oil, neroli essential oil, nerolin, neryl isobutyrate, orris butter, phenethyl alcohol, rose, rum ether, g-undecalactone, vanillin, and solvent.

mmmm…sounds delicious.

Ignorance is bliss? No…awareness is KEY!

Make a difference today! Don’t be afraid to be a leader.

del.icio.us Tags: Artificial Flavors,Artificial Colors,Preservatives,A.D.D.,A.D.H.D.,hyperactivity,children's health,Fast Food Nation