Like you, I totally know that processed foods are junk.  It’s not new information and I chide myself every time I buy that bag of Cheetos.  But lately I’ve been hearing a lot about artificial dyes and how harmful they are when we consume them regularly.

I found this study fascinating, especially the table of scientific studies done on food dyes.  Food dyes are in so many snacks that our kids love to eat!  Just look at the list of ingredients on nearly every box or bag in your pantry.  You’ll see Blue 1, Green 3, Red 3 (which the FDA has banned from cosmetics and externally applied drugs), Red 40, Yellow 5, and Yellow 6.

Food dyes can cause allergies, hyperactivity in children, and certain cancers and tumors when tested on mice and rats.  Ugh!

Here are 5 Cancer-Causing Snacks Your Kids Love To Eat:

1. Cheetos and CheezeIts

You should know from the bright orange residue they leave on your fingers that Cheetos are coated with artificial colors and flavors.  The ingredients include Yellow 6, which is derived from petroleum, benzidine, and 4-amino-biphenyl…all cancer-causing contaminants.

2. Fruit Snacks

It’s scary how fast my kids can down a box of Fruit Snacks.  If you have kids or grandkids, you inevitably have your pantry stocked with fruit snacks.  But one glance at the ingredients and you’ll see a slew of artificial dyes like Red 40, Yellow 5, Blue 1, and “other color added.”  Yikes!  Red 40 causes possible immune system tumors in mice!

3. Colored Cereals (like Fruit Loops, Fruity Pebbles, and Lucky Charms)

Another kid favorite… fun colored cereals…my kids continually beg for at the store.  I snagged a picture of the box of Fruit Loops in my pantry–notice the dyes.  Look at your box of Lucky Charms or Fruity Pebbles and you’ll see the same.  Yellow 6 causes possible adrenal and testicular tumors in rats!

4. M&Ms, Skittles, and other Colorful Candies

I can’t blame this one solely on my kids; I love my colored candies too.  But colors that bright and beautiful must come with a price.  They are a cancer’s playground.  M&Ms, Skittles, and other brightly colored candies contain Blue 2 (increases hyperactivity in children and brain tumors in lab rats), Blue 1 (possible cause of malignant tumors), Red 40, Yellow 6, and Yellow 5.

5. Boxed Mac and Cheese

Kids love ’em some mac and Cheese.  Parents do too, because it’s such a quick meal.  But you may want to think twice before serving it too often.  Boxed macaroni and cheese contains that infamous little packet of artificialness.  You know the one I’m talking about…it’s supposed to be “cheese.”  That little artificial cheese flavoring packet contains the dyes Yellow 5 and 6, both of which are linked to behavioral problems and hyperactivity in kids, not to mention allergies, migraines, and cancer.

Source

And Their Healthy Alternatives:

1.  Homemade Cheese Crackers

Did you know how easy it is to make your own cheese crackers?  Super easy, and delicious, too!  Find our recipe here and you’ll never want to buy the artificial stuff ever again.  They are gluten-free and full of REAL ingredients!

2. Real Fruit

Instead of sugar-laden fruit snacks with artificial flavors, opt for the real deal.  To get kids to eat real fruit, cut it into bit-sized pieces or try sticking them on a skewer.

3. Homemade Cold Cereal

So many packaged cereals are loaded with sugars and artificial additives.  Go the safe route and make your own cereal!  Try this yummy cinnamon almond muesli cold cereal!

4. Dark Chocolate

If you just crave sweets like I do, opt for dark chocolate with no extra additives or unnatural colors.  I love these barkThins with almond and sea salt (found at Costco with some other favorites).

5. Homemade Macaroni & Cheese

The homemade version is so much better.  I love this recipe with nice, REAL ingredients you can actually pronounce and buy at your local market.  If your kids are hooked to the boxed kind, skip the cheese packet and add a little butter and salt instead.  And, if you REALLY want to amp up the yellow flavor naturally (plus give yourself amazing health benefits!), add turmeric to your mac and cheese!

Everyday I’m trying a little harder to make healthier choices for my family, but I’m realizing just how many processed foods we still consume.  How do you get your kids to ditch the cancer-causing snacks and processed foods?

Making a switch to healthier choices isn’t always easy. But we’re here to help!  Here are some posts to help with making healthier choices – especially where our kids are concerned!

Healthy Breakfast Calendar- For Busy Kids

Healthy Baking Substitutions

Frugal Superfood Swaps

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