How to Put Your Child with ADHD on a Dye Free Diet

Recent research has shown that in preschoolers, ADHD symptoms can be worsened by artificial food dyes. We decided that cutting out food coloring would be an easy way to try to help our child with ADHD. In a way, it was easy. Relatives and friends are never going to argue about cutting out food coloring in the way that they argue about medications. In another way, it wasn’t easy because we had to face this sneaking feeling that we were depriving our children if they didn’t get rainbow gelatin and frosted cupcakes like we did when we were kids. Here are some tips our family found helpful in making the transition to a dye free diet.

1) Read all labels. Did you know that some brands of white frosting can have food coloring in it? On the other hand, did you know that some brands of rainbow colored crackers contain no artificial colors? Only give up a food if you know for certain that it contains artificial colors. This process is a lot easier if you go with whole foods instead of processed ones.

2) When going out to eat, eat whole foods. Also, consider checking out the ingredients online. Some restaurants post them. Sweets are big offenders when it comes to artificial colors, so consider having dessert at home.

3) Point out how dye makes the affected person feel. It’s not really deprivation to skip eating something that makes you sick, is it? Make the connection between eating healthy and feeling good.

4) Focus on the positive. Don’t dwell on deprivation. Instead of “You can’t have strawberry yogurt,” try “We’re not buying strawberry yogurt, but we can get blueberry.”

5) Make reasonable exceptions. If your child has life threatening reactions to food dyes, you can’t make exceptions, but if it only means hyperactivity for a couple of days, you can make an exception for a birthday or a special holiday if the food is really that important to your child.

6) Replace, don’t eliminate. Did you know you can make red velvet cake with beets? Also, if you really have to have food coloring, there are natural food dyes available in natural food stores and online. Remember that if there is going to be a class party at daycare or school, send a special treat along for your child to enjoy while the others have their super saturated colored frosting from the supermarket.

7) Be aware of artificial colorings in other products besides food. This is important because some children are really very sensitive to artificial colors. I’m talking about toothpaste, shampoo, soap, and other personal care products. Burt’s Bees and Tom’s of Maine both have lines of personal care products which are all natural and widely available in national chain stores.

8) Don’t assume that all food coloring is bad. Many children react particularly to one color or type of artificial food coloring. After getting things down, it may be wise to loosen up and allow colorings that don’t seem to cause a problem. Although it may seem harmless to limit dyes in the diet, some children can develop unhealthy attitudes towards food if their diets are limited unnecessarily.