Red 40 And Cracking The Bad Behavior Code
We have struggled with Jonas’ behavior shortly after he stopped breast feeding at just under a year. Although I made pretty gradual changes as I found what worked and didn’t work for him (he had to have soy milk for another six months because he couldn’t handle the cow’s milk), eventually his diet increased to contain more and more foods, and I felt relatively good about what he was ingesting. This was a boy who would eat green beans as a snack, who loved prunes and fruits and veggies! Once we stopped introducing most major foods and were sure that he wasn’t frightening allergic to any of them, I relaxed and became relatively laissez-faire about food.
Within six months of Jonas’ diet expansion I began to notice remarkable changes. He has always been an very intense little kid. He is ecstatic when he is happy and miserable when he is sad. He is high energy, extremely intelligent and creative. All of these temperamental qualities can be used for good or for greying your mother’s hair, and Jonas went both directions often. The problem was that some days Jonas was a sweet, energetic, goofy kid, and other days he was extremely emotional, angry, and occasionally violent. He would be nothing but cuddles and kisses one day, and the next day he would literally throw a chair at me.
I blamed the military separations. I blamed all of the moving. I blamed my own parenting skills, or lack thereof. We saw therapists who confirmed that Jonas was an intense little guy, but that he had no markers for ADD, ADHD or a number of other issues that can seriously tweak a good kid’s behavior. My parenting was evaluated and found to be quite good, heck, I was already doing everything the therapist was suggesting, and after several evaluations he strongly suggested that I make it a point to hire frequent baby sitters so I could get a break! This was not comforting to me.
I had a suspicion that there was a dietary intolerance causing some of this crazy behavior, but I had no idea where to start. I would go for brief spurts dropping eggs or gluten or sugar from our diet (boy that sugar one didn’t last long at all!), but they never did anything but make everyone cranky that they couldn’t have what they wanted. I dropped preservatives and saw some improvement, but it wasn’t consistent enough to prove anything.
We had about three years of having no idea why we had a reasonable child one day and an angry child with no impulse control the next. We continued in this cycle and I would try to look at what he ate prior to taking a three hour screaming tantrum ( I may be given to hyperbole, but I assure you that when I say three hour tantrum, I kid you not). I never found any dietary consistencies. One day it would be pizza in question, so I would feed him pizza again and watch him like a hawk, only to get nothing. We did this over and over with a whole variety of foods.
My enthusiasm for this odd science project waxed and waned as frequently I was just plain too exhausted from all of the craziness to see straight. Finally, I had a major breakthrough.
A few months ago when my husband was deployed, we went to the commissary and hit a great sale on Fruit Loops cereal. Now, I’m normally more of a Cheerios or Kashi buyer, but for fifty cents a box, plus two free funky plastic cereal bowls, I was sold. I bought four boxes, drove home, and immediately came down with a nasty virus. I was absolutely out of commission, and Jonas was so excited about his Fruit Loops that I let him eat them all day long. For breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks, my boy had pure food coloring, and then he morphed into a monster.
He screamed. He hit his sister over nothing. He threw chairs at me. He broke toys, threw himself on the ground and tantrumed as though he had been possessed by demons. I was sick, exhausted and at my wit’s end. I finally got him into bed that night wondering how we had all managed to live through the day.
The next morning I went to the bathroom where I found that Jonas had already been there. As little boys are want to do, he had neglected to flush the toilet and I noticed with amusement that his bowel movements were bright green from all of the food coloring in the cereal. Suddenly a light went on. I continued to monitor his waste over the next few days. His behavior was still very erratic. The day he returned to his usual sunny self, his waste showed no signs of dye.
I kept him very dye free over the next few days, and then I tried it again. I think I gave him fruit snacks, if I remember correctly. A few hours after the food coloring, he was out of control, and I was suddenly very, very in control.
I spent the next few months slowly learning which foods had colors added (quite a few), and what natural things would go over well. I made several dietary changes, and they worked. His first few weeks at school were pretty rough, but as our food routines changed, we saw a lot of improvement.
The biggest challenge has been getting everyone on board with these changes. Chris has gotten very good at choosing natural snacks for Jonas, and I’ve learned that I need to show up to school parties to moderate what Jonas eats. (You should have seen his Christmas party- it was a food coloring buffet!) His teacher wasn’t much help in moderating the children at snack time, and there were days where Jonas would come home cranky because he had shared fruit snacks and rainbow goldfish with his friends. One of our biggest challenges was teaching Jonas that he simply couldn’t eat food coloring. It was hard for him to hear no so often, but even he has gotten good at asking which foods he can eat.
As I had done some research on food coloring intolerances, I found that some dyes were bigger culprits than others. Red Dye 40 had a particularly bad rap, so I decided to see if Jonas would be alright with other colors. His teacher gave a him a huge bag of leftover Christmas candy, so I separated the candy into colors. I let him have all of the green and white candies, and then I observed. I saw no change! We retested the experiment again a few days later, with good news. Both Jonas and I were so excited! We have slowly gone through other colors and determined that for Jonas, Red 40 is not his friend.
This discovery has changed a lot at our house. Not only do we have a more even, pleasant kid and less stressed out parents, we have started being even more conscientious about eating more whole foods. I think this will be to everyone’s benefit.
It took over three years of frustration to get here. I know other families who are still fighting with similar circumstances and who haven’t found a solution. I strongly encourage you to take a good look at your child’s diet, particularly where food coloring is concerned. A little investigation could make all the difference.
What a great entry! I have a tempermental child as well and I have always suspected diet was a big factor, but food coloring had never occurred to me as a possible culprit! Thank you!
Comment by Heather — January 21, 2008 @ 11:50 am
My 15yr old daughter also has a reaction to Red40, however, it’s like a poison to her. After about 3 or 4 hrs, she starts shaking and vomits violently. It started when she was about 5 and took several times for this to happen before I finally(and thankfully!)figured it out. I never knew just how many foods included this particular dye. I’m glad for you that you figured out the problem for your son!
Comment by krcrafts — January 21, 2008 @ 12:05 pm
Wow. I get exhausted just by reading what you guys have been though! I’m so happy you got it figured out though!!
I am also glad I live in a country where foods aren’t as badly coloured - yet. It’s coming though, and not too slowly either.
Comment by Zarah — January 21, 2008 @ 12:23 pm
wow, wow, wow!!! I knew you where having problems but i had no idea how bad!!!
I am sooooo pleased that you have found a solution not just for you but for Jonas as well as his life must have been just awful!!!
Comment by Wendy McKee — January 21, 2008 @ 12:51 pm
We have also been red dye 40 for about a year now, and have also seen big big changes in our son’s behaviors.. I am happy that you are also seeing changes in Jonas.
Comment by linda — January 21, 2008 @ 2:01 pm
Wow, I give you lots of credit for thinking this whole issue through and figuring it out on your own. KUDOS!!
Comment by Tracey — January 21, 2008 @ 2:31 pm
How great (for everyone) that you’ve got to the bottom of the mystery!
Comment by Sarah — January 21, 2008 @ 2:41 pm
Leah how awesome is this! I’m so glad for you that you found what works. Excellent! We’re having great luck with Cameron, but if things start to go awry, I’ll definitely consider this!
Comment by Amie — January 21, 2008 @ 3:18 pm
When DS was a toddler and sick of course we gave meds and he would be up all night…just wired. Couldn’t understand why…mentioned it to the pharmacist and he said it was the dye. That’s how med’s get that pretty color…just something else for you to watch out for.
Comment by Robyn — January 21, 2008 @ 5:48 pm
I am so glad that you finally found out what it was. Our DS has sensitivities so I know what you went through with the diet restrictions. It isn’t easy. I’m so glad that you were able to isolate it so that your family can live more peaceably. Thank goodness for your insight and your physician’s wisdom not to label him ADD or ADHD. Congratulations to you on your persistence and on being a wonderful caring mother!
Comment by pomaika\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\'i — January 21, 2008 @ 8:41 pm
Wow, this is truly, truly amazing. My fiancee and I have been really suspicious of food coloring and other food additives for a long time. We’ve spent the last couple of years completely eliminating additives from our diet. Let me tell you, it’s not easy! Even when you eat sushi in a restaurant, some of it has color added! I think it’s incredible what you’ve found out, and I’m so glad all your research and hard work has paid off for you guys. Plus you’re an inspiration to us! Keep up the good fight.
Comment by Mome-rath — January 22, 2008 @ 7:55 am
I would have never thought that coloring could do that but I guess since it is not natural it makes sense that our bodies may not be able to process it adequately.
Comment by shelly — January 22, 2008 @ 9:24 am
I am so glad you got it all figured out.
I have a cousin that cannot tolerate Red 20, at all. I applaud her mother, my aunt, for being so tenacious during my cousin’s younger years. So many people wanted to medicate, blame, and discipline — but she was persistent. She knew something wasn’t ‘right’ and didn’t give up.
When the culprit was finally discovered, it was a like a new child entered the family.
I know you understand!
Comment by Kim — January 22, 2008 @ 5:12 pm
Wow, thanks for sharing!
You have been awarded on my blog, please stop by!
Comment by Annelie Maddock — January 22, 2008 @ 7:45 pm
Oh leah im glad you’ve found a solution!! With mikey having adhd, i went through the whole food thing, in a summer holiday off school, for all of six weeks, i made home made foods & wrote down everything he ate & how he behaved afterwards, i did’nt notice any difference, so i have no alternative with food’s although too much suger is obviuse to raise some level’s, but apart from that im stuck with meds, i just wanted to let you know that. Im happy for you & jonas!!!
Comment by SARAH — January 23, 2008 @ 9:03 am
If you think about it there weren’t red M & M’s for a long time. I’d heard that it was because they hadn’t found a safe red dye. Glad you’ve got Jonas figured out. Way to go Momma!
Comment by Jen — January 23, 2008 @ 11:50 am
I’m glad you figured it out, Leah, and I’m glad that Jonas has his own self back.
Comment by Ellie — January 24, 2008 @ 11:54 am
Wow! That is amazing you were able to discover that so relatively soon. You must feel so relieved. Congrats!
Comment by tj — January 24, 2008 @ 1:33 pm
Reading this gives me hope. Sounds so much like our son. We’re so exhausted trying to manage his erratic, explosive behavior. I’m going to try taking away the Red #40. Congrats on your major accomplishment!!!
Comment by Michelle — January 24, 2008 @ 4:05 pm
discovered this phenomenon of food/ behaviour link after 4 years of no sleep with eldest child 30 years ago. Brought up 3 kids successfully - went to top universities and acheived high degrees. Cautionary note do not make kids feel different to others, it’s easier to be somewhat patronising to others and make your own kids feel grateful and superior they are not fed junk, than let them feel deprived!my lads are 6 ft 3 daughter 5ft 10 and they always say how grateful they are that they were brought up to eat healthy food and in the knowledge of how to cook it. now have a 5year old grandson who unbidden chooses fruit over cookies vegetables over pancakes and walks easily 5 miles. Keep it up it’s well worth it. At least the medical profession now recognises the problem although people can still dispute the link and try to undermine your efforts.4 generations of my family have had food intolerance, not all of us, my father, me, one son, one grandson. three generations also developed type 2 diabetes despite healthy food and lifestyle and low sugar diet.Good luck.
Comment by helen — January 24, 2008 @ 6:19 pm
Wow,I am going to mention that to any Mom I see who is having behavior problems with their children. I am a grandmother, and have always thought that sugar was not as bad as Mother’s make out. Don’t give him any sugar, he will be up all night, it will make him hyper etc. etc. I think kids monitor themselves on sugar, they eat some then are done. I dont’ think it makes them hyper. Now I wonder could some react to the sugar like your son to the red dye 40? Something to think about. Terrible our food is so full of junk. There ceral isle is one whole isle now and a lot of them have the dye. I am glad your boy is feeling better.
Comment by G.M.W — January 28, 2008 @ 1:18 am
you must be relieved. My friends son is very sensitive to dyes and corn syrup. They also see a big change in behavior mood swings.
Comment by kim in Camas - ScrapToMyLu — February 2, 2008 @ 5:20 pm
By the oddest coincidence, I was just googling for this topic and stumbled across your post. I’m 31 and I’ve had this same allergy my whole life. We discovered it when I was 4. This was in the 1980’s when natural-foods candies were much harder to find. I was terribly undisciplined and stubborn as a child and I ate red dye anyway, thus making myself miserable a lot of the time.
Some things to watch out for. Jello chocolate pudding has red dye #40. So do lots of pre-made chocolate cakes. Hoisin sauce is a common base in Chinese food and has red dye.
A far bigger problem for me than food is medicine. Many antibiotics have dyes to make them pretty colors. It’s important to read inactive ingredient lists and get a different prescription if necessary. Even over the counter stuff (Tylenol, Advil gelcaps) have dyes.
Some kids outgrow it, and others don’t. Hopefully Jonas will handle this better than I did. It sounds like he already has.
By the way, his personality sounds a lot like mine. I think there’s some neurochemical similarity among children with this allergy.
Feel free to contact me if I can be of any help!
Comment by Vy — February 2, 2008 @ 7:47 pm
I started looking into food coloring when I gave my kids cupcakes with red icing, and the red showed up in the bathroom later. That can’t possibly be good for someone. Why do they have to put that junk in kids’ food?!!
Comment by Heather — February 7, 2008 @ 5:21 am
I have been reading with great interest about your son. You are so lucky to have stumbled on the cause. Today, there are so many people with food allergies, AND food sensitivities. At 50 I was unable to eat any fruits and vegetables, except carrots and yellow beans, Ugh. Even bottled water I can’t go near. If you have every read about anything similar, would you please let me know? Thank goodness for peanut butter or i would weigh 80 lb’s. I am so happy for you and your family.
Comment by Connie — February 9, 2008 @ 7:55 pm
It’s also known as E129. It’s interesting to read that it’s not recommended for consumption by children and is banned in Denmark, Belgium, France, Germany, Switzerland, Sweden, Austria and Norway. Glad that you have found out what it is that’s affecting your son’s behaviour. Food has so much to answer for!! (or should I say the ‘crap’ they put into food!). joanne x
Comment by Joanne — February 12, 2008 @ 8:50 am
your article gives me so much hope. i recently have been reading labels to keep red 40 as far away from my sons diet as possible. I am PRAYING we have the same results.
Comment by valorie — February 28, 2008 @ 12:35 pm
Thanks for sharing. We have just taken all dyes out of our 5 year old daughters diet. We have 2 daughters that are such angels until suddenly something clicks and then they just go berzerk. So many times we have asked ourselves what we are doing wrong, what is wrong with them etc…. Everyone says they are just wonderful so what is it? The light bulb went on for me the day after Easter and we immediately went dye free. We are on day 4 and they have just been their happy normal selves-sitting calmly through meals and enjoying wonderful conversation. My husband came home from a trip tonight and was amazed. Once we have a couple of good weeks then I think we will try and narrow down the culprit-I think it’s yellow #5 and red #40. Again, thanks for sharing.
Comment by Kim — March 29, 2008 @ 5:58 pm
Last night I saw this food coloring issue on the news. My son has been way out of control on certain days. This gave me the idea that food coloring is a related issue. After the news broadcast I went into my kitchen and read almost every label on everything he eats. Thank god for the news, I would have brought him to the doctors and they would have put him on add medication. I have a question? Does any parent here have a chlid with ALLERGIES??? I put him on zertec and he turned into a monster. I also tried clariten, he had the same reaction. Another thing I give him is poly chewable vitamins that have food coloring in them and he becomes crazy after a half hour of taking them. I never mentioned this to anyone because I thought they would think I was crazy. I’m so glad to hear from all of you and thanks….
Comment by Tara — June 5, 2008 @ 2:58 am
May I have permission to copy your article to show to parents of my students at school? They send these snacks that are full of red #40 and then I pay for it. By the way, I am sensitive to red #40, but it manifests itself in the form of migraine headaches.
Kudos for your tenacity!
Comment by Leslie — June 5, 2008 @ 8:25 am
Congratulations on your discovery - and perseverance to get to that point. I do understand, our culprits were just different. I just posted this entry on another message board:
Honestly, my first thought was allergies. Our son was totally hyper for four years until I thought he might be allergic to dairy and oranges, like I am. Took him off of both and in a few days the difference was dramatic! The orange juice seemed to have the same effect on him as red food dye does on other kids. And the milk made him impossible to toilet train, he kept having accidents.
As odd as this sounds, both of these foods started causing me huge problems in my mid-twenties and it took going on a strict elimination diet to figure things out. Oranges made me cry - and my Ph.D. scientist dh will testify to the fact after much avoidance and gradually adding them into my diet. One piece of orange three days in a row had me crying non-stop during an entire 8 hour shift at work. Nothing was wrong, I felt like a dork, but I could not stop for the life of me. At the same time, milk made me horribly insomniac and I had to pee about 30 times each night.
I started having these problems a year before becoming pregnant with ds and it took me until he was about four years old to figure out his colic, inability to toilet train and hyperactivity. Stopping the suspected foods and then gently reintroducing them while looking for the symptoms proved this to me and to my husband.
I would strongly suggest that you read up on food allergies, don’t believe people who tell you that there are good tests in a doctor’s office to rule out food allergies. From what I have been told over the years, those tests are not very realiable.
Good luck!~ Don’t give up on him, this is possibly a totally chemical issue that has no need of drugs to cure it. But it is not easy to figure it out. If he was my child I would start by taking him off of all of the most common foods that cause allergies. What I have described is actually food intolerance wherein a food allergy causes the swelling of the throat and other possibly deadly effects. The symptoms of food intolerance are numerous and varied and yes, most traditionally trained doctors will tell you that milk can’t make you have insomnia and oranges can’t make you cry, they will think you are a crazy hypochondriac, but life experience, and reading about the experiences of others, will help you to sort things out.
Comment by e. — July 29, 2008 @ 3:34 pm
Red 40
Comment by Rose — August 23, 2008 @ 6:06 am