When it comes to research some people have this reaction: "The laboratory animals that we test chemicals on are too small for the doses given." Also some people say that the FDA has approved so it must be safe. My question is why is something considered safe in the US and not in the UK? Are we, as citizens less valuable to the government of the United States or do we not care about our health or our kids health especially emotional and mental health?
I do not know when and how artificial colors got into prepared food market. I am guilty of serving my kids sugary and colorful drinks and got for them colorful cereal as well. As soon as I read about the ban of artificial food colors in the UK I have become very careful. The strange thing is that manufacturers are using colors where they are not even needed. Why does a box of cereal that is supposed to have chocolate and peanut butter use artificial red and blue? To make the chocolate flavored cereal look extra chocolaty?
Believe me, I do not like to see a child cry. I do not have any control on what is sold either. So what can I do when the end caps of shelves have colorful candy? I am suppose to be there to solve problems, handle complaints and make customers forget their problems. My conscience however tells me to warn moms to keep their kids away from artificial colors. Most of the time moms pay attention and listen carefully and thank me saying that they will look up and or read more about additives. However, one mom said that her kids are not sensitive to the artificial colors. More over, for her, getting a seventy-five percent deal on left over Valentine's Day treats coated with red and pink frosted with blue, purple and yellow crinkles was too good a deal to pass up.
25 comments:
Dear Munir--I have no idea about what we can do about these additives except to avoid them as much as possible--&, as you do, to encourage others to do so.
I believe the brain is a muscle & must be excersized to continue to be healthy in its later years. I am 77 & I do crossword & jigsaw puzzles online daily. So far, so good!
Keep that brain working....read, write, do brain teaser puzzles, crosswords, text twist games..anything and everything...but also, an important part of keeping the mind healthy is human contact. You need to see and talk to other people as often as possible.
The additive situation is horrifying....we tend to have very very little in the way of packaged and processed food in the house. Now they are telling us that there is a chemical in the packaging that is harmful. Will it ever end?
Excellent and most timely post, Munir. Thank you. Our food supply and the FDA are two topics that we could spend years discussing. Our food and water are definitely less nutritious and safe than 50 years ago.
well Munir, I totally think it is all these reservatives and additives that are giving our children diagnosis' of Autism and ADHD...
good post!
I had no idea that you were worried about your memory. I think if we exercise it - that will help a lot. And I think that things in moderation. But if you really want to be healthy - you have to be pretty basic in your food choices.
Good luck. sandie
My husband has cautioned me about artificial everything since I met him in 1973! He is also very anti "diet" stuff..especially pop. He was always saying "stay away from saccharin & nutrasweet products". There are so many chemicals in our food and we wonder why so many children have allergies, asthma, ADD, autism...who knows? It would be great if Moms could keep the kiddos away from junk...I wonder if the Mom who couldn't resist the great prices realizes that she could have skipped buying it altogether. It's not like it's a necessity. That would really save her money!
Hello Munir, avoid all food with colors and preservatives. I know it is not easy but that is just what we have to do.
It is so sad that most of our food is processed and colored. I do think that is why there are so many allergies in families today. I didn't know it could affect memory also. Good post.
I hope playing scrabble online will help improve my concentration. We learned the hard way about artificial coloring. My son was allergic to these colorings and would go wild after a hot dog or birthday cake etc. Finally they outlawed the red dye that was in hot dogs in the 70's but I don't think the others are any better.
It is all driven by marketing, consumerism, and capitalism. Thus the food has got to appear "fresh" and "delectable" in order to maximize profits. In America, appearance is everything. Just look at all the people getting their teeth whitened, their tummies tucked, and their hair fluffed.
America is one of the shallowest countries in the world.
An excellent post Munir. Thanks for sharing. Intersting comments above as well!
I think you have to look at the ingredient list on everything. If you don't positively know something comes directly from nature, don't buy it. If I can't recognize or read a word, I try to not buy it. I don't worry so much about GMOs; humans have been changing plants and animals since the beginning of time. The fewer the ingredients the better.
I definitely noticed a change in my kids' behaviour after certain foods when they were younger. I was really vigilant then. Unfortunately, it's becoming harder to buy the type of products I'd like to buy as the budget goes down, and the prices go up.
Yes, it's true too many additives in our food. We eat everything organic, I mean everything. I shop at Whole Foods and of course keep the brain as busy as possible. No soda or coffee. I wish you all of the best. Hugs...Lu
It can be so scary these days. It's best to be as careful as we can when possible :)
Natural things all the way. I don't care how cheap it is, it can't be good for you.
Hi Munir .. good post - we just need to be as careful as we can - things that look obnoxious and shouldn't be that colour are obviously overdosed with something .. also we all had water as kids, orange was a treat - and in fact continues to be so. Thank goodness I don't live with coca cola all day ..
Natural, fresh foods, and all things in moderation with water! Cheers Hilary
That really is something to think about, wherever you are on the globe. Artificial food colors are everywhere. These days I am concerned too about this issue. I check for the ingredients before I eat it. Helps a great deal. I've also started looking for some recipes of those we only get in stores,so I could make it at home. The safer way.
And before I forget, I'm happy you've recovered a great deal. :) God bless you Munir.
Great post, we do need to be careful with what we eat..so many additives and other things..I personally think it is worse now than ever..God Bless.
My respect!
You have a nice post.
This is a very good post. I really enjoy your writing.
www.modernworld4.blogspot.com
Memory issues are a thorny subject. Being a young adult, I’m blessed with sound recall skills, however; only today I struggled to remember the term used for the assassination of monarchy (‘regicide’) for a paper I was writing. It bugged me but I guess these things happen and will happen more often. I neither eat artificial or junk food produce and work out endlessly, yet still I forget things on occasion. No need to be too hard on yourself Munir.
Munir,
Thanks so much for visiting my blog. I would love to have you mention my book Vada Faith on your blog. Well, I just did actually. I'm running a special on Amazon Kindle ebook for free March 4th. Thanks much for stopping by.
I read what you said about additives and chemicals in our foods. It's scary really to think about. I try to eat natural as much as I can then try not to worry about what I can't control.
Blessings, Barb
www.barbwhitti.blogspot.com
There is so much stuff that isn't good. I read labels constantly and wish I did more when my daughter was little. She was born about the same time all the GMO foods started hitting the market. So much isn't good, but profits for businesses come before people's health.
I know people that think if it is being sold, it can't be that bad for you.
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