Food Dyes and ADHD Symptoms
Ever notice your kid gets extra hyper after those bright red or yellow snacks? I usually think—‘oh, too much sugar!’ But it turns out, the color could be part of the problem.
Those fun, vibrant colors are not natural. They are food dyes like Red 40 and Yellow 5. Rings a bell? Scientists have been studying whether these dyes can affect children’s focus and behavior.
A 2022 study reviewed 27 studies on children and found that in more than half, kids who ate food with these dyes showed more signs of hyperactivity or had trouble focusing. Now, this doesn’t mean dyes cause ADHD. But for some kids, especially those already sensitive, these colors might make it worse.
So, next time your little one gets jumpy after a colorful snack, try skipping the dyes for a week. Go for whole-food snacks like fruit or homemade treats and see if you notice a difference.