No gluten.
No chocolate.
No artificial colors...ever???
Sometimes, I find myself asking this question. Like yesterday, when a certain 7 year-old indulged in these:
Papa and Grammy gave Tate a package of them at a church event. I would like to clarify that my parents are NOT in trouble for giving him the candy! Our little man already has so many things in his culinary life that we have to say "no" to, that we are always happy to find him a treat that is gluten and chocolate free. My parents knew that we would not be upset by a little package of candy. They are very aware of his special diet, and take all precautions.
That said,
I was asking this same question on Saturday. You may recall a certain head spinning/sprinkle incident?
See here for details:http://flattiredhomeschool.blogspot.com/2011/07/tates-7-in-2011.html
I have observed normal boy-ish/hyper activity from Tate after (occasionally) allowing him to eat an artificially colored food. There are other times that it is immediately clear that he has
"Tasted the Rainbow."
~Insert child spinning on the floor for 30 minutes, like the Tasmanian Devil, HERE.~
It's a 50/50 chance with him. You never know how he is going to "react." This is why I am wondering if he is really reacting at all. Perhaps it is the Tourette's? Perhaps it is the ADHD? Both?
Artificial colors?
What's your take? Have you experienced anything similar? Do your kids have food allergies/intolerances? What have you learned? Where have you struggled? Do you have any helpful resources that you would like to share?
YOUR input is valuable. Please feel free to answer one, or all of the above questions. I welcome your questions, as well. If we work together, perhaps our our Mondays can be a little less...
...MANIC. ;)
Cheering you on & checking the fuel gauge,
Layla
Funny that you posted this today because I was just researching gluten-free, dairy-free foods this morning and considering putting G on a GF/DF diet for a month! Wondering if any of his behaviors are "food" related. I DO know that both my boys have been known to act hyper after indulging in Red Dye 40. And my husband just pinpointed that it's the red dye in Code Red Mountain Dew that gives him abundant energy (coffee doesn't do much for him, but give him Code Red Mt. Dew and watch out!).
ReplyDelete~~Sunshine
I don't know about other colors, but red can be a big problem especially with ADHD. I will have to find some research for you, but I have personally experienced this with children also.
ReplyDeleteYou both have mentioned the BIG RED #40. Yes, I have read a lot of not-so-great things about it, in the past. Interesting to know that about Jonathan, Sunshine. I have another adult (guy) friend who cannot ingest that dye at all. He says it makes him CrAzY! Kind of makes you wonder what it is doing to your body/brain, doesn't it?
ReplyDeleteThe thing that puzzles me is how inconsistently Tate reacts to it. With gluten, or chocolate, we get a steady, predictable response. This is what has me wondering how strict I need to be with it. I already feel like he can't join in on a lot of social snack times, as it is.
Thanks for the input!
I have heard much of the same with red dye. My son doesn't react quite so strongly but he still gets an extra boost of energy. I have also looked into removing gluten and others to help woth the ADHD.
ReplyDeleteI have just recently heard that Omega can help with the focus. Not so much with the energy but I guess we'll take what we can get.
Skittles...Yummy! We're my favorite when I was growing up.
We are gluten free! We have seen amazing health benefits. I am glad you mentioned the Omega 3s. I need to get back on those, and include Tate. Those are great for inflammation, as well as brain support, and heart health.
ReplyDeletePersonally, I am not a fan of Skittles, but Tate thinks they are a delicacy. Ha-ha!
THANK YOU for your helpful comments. :)