Thursday, March 31, 2011

Lunch Box Chronicles: Day One-Hundred and Twenty (On the Meaning of Real Food)


Great news! The FDA has just announced that it is considering banning certain food dyes (specifically Red 40 and Yellow 5), because of a possible connection between the consumption of these additives and hyperactivity in children. 
Of course, this isn’t news to us. We’ve been talking about this issue for years - ever since our son began experiencing health and behavioral problems when he was 3 or 4 years old. Those of you who have followed our son’s story, know that he is now a healthy, thriving 13-year old.  But that wasn’t always the case. When he was younger, his health and behavioral issues were so severe, that doctors suggested he had everything from ADHD to Asberger’s syndrome. Every diagnosis came with a drug solution.
We weren’t buying it. Instead, we started paying close attention to the relationship between what he ate, and how he behaved. It took us several years to figure it all out, but by eliminating artificial colors, flavors and sweeteners, along with removing industrial wheat from his diet, we were able to completely turn his health and behavior around.  
No drugs. Just good - and real - food.
So we couldn’t be happier to hear that the FDA is finally catching up with Spelt Right on the issue of synthetic food additives. Help us spread the word!
Check out some of our past conversations on the relationship between synthetic food additives and hyperactivity in kids:
http://www.wcsh6.com/video/default.aspx?aid=40127#/Local/NEWS+CENTER+Video+Forecast/49383985001/49452227001/872068949001

http://www.feastnh.com/articles/900538-236/womans-use-of-spelt-in-sons-diet.html?CSAuthResp=1234%3A%3A5000%3A1%3A24%3Aapproved%3A0F4585785573305EC4153626DBD917C5


So, here is a picture of the kid, now 13, additive free, always drug free, and one of the sweetest brightest folks I know.  He is also an incredible chef.  Last night's dinner, marinated beef tips, sauteed tofu, fresh veggies, all in a stir fry, made completely on his own.   Diet change has been worth every moment.