How Do You Live With An Allergy To Food Additives And Dyes?
There are hundreds of additives present in our foods, including preservatives, food coloring, antioxidants, flavor enhancers, emulsifiers and artificial sweeteners, to name a few. Many are useful and harmless, but others may be toxic and carcinogenic for susceptible individuals, and can cause a variety of reactions ranging from skin rashes, diarrhea or headaches to life-threatening illnesses. Step 1 Limit or avoid processed and prepackaged foods. They contain the most additives. Step 2 Eat a diet of fresh whole foods. Step 3 Learn all the names of the additive to which you are allergic. Additives go by many different names. For example, the food coloring Tartrazine is also known as FD&C Yellow No. 5. Step 4 Read labels on processed and packaged foods carefully. Step 5 Check fresh foods as well. For example, many commercial oranges are dyed. This can cause a reaction for individuals sensitive to food dyes. Step 6 Buy organically grown produce and/or buy from local farmers’ markets, wher
