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We are discussing Cooking for life
With Kurma Dasa, Sue Dengate, Dave Tuff, Jacinta Dugbaza, Roger Bayley

Question:
I am concerned about my 3 year old granddaughter. She has extreme mood swings –she can be excellent one day and the devil the next. Discipline such as time out doesn’t work when she is angry, aggressive, crying, yelling etc. We’ve removed food colourings. What else should we do?

Answer:
Sue - Artificial colours are generally the tip of the iceberg. Other food chemicals can also contribute to grouchy, overactive, loud or argumentative children with problems such as difficulty falling asleep, restless legs, temper outbursts, or oppositional defiance.

Some families see a big change by cutting down as much as possible on the additives below, especially the bread preservative, colours, benzoates and flavour enhancers.

Colours
Artificial     102, 104, 107, 110, 122-124, 127-129, 132, 133, 142, 151, 155
Natural      160b annatto

Preservatives 200-203 sorbates in cream cheese, margarines, cakes, etc
210-213     benzoates in drinks, syrups, medications
220-228     sulphites in dried fruit, fruit drinks, sausages, etc
280-283     propionates in bread, bakery products
249-252     nitrates, nitrites in processed meats like ham
310-321     synthetic antioxidants in margarines, oils, fried foods

Flavour enhancers
600 numbers in tasty foods, flavoured chips, soups, sauces, sausages etc

Children can also be affected by natural chemicals called salicylates in foods such as tomatoes, broccoli and oranges, or amines in foods like chocolate and cheese. To get best results, families can do a three week elimination diet supervised by a dietitian to find out exactly which food chemicals are causing the problem.

For more information, see Food Intolerance Network or email confoodnet@ozemail.com.au for a list of supportive dietitians.

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