You may not have realized it, but you're probably eating red dye every day. It's in your breakfast cereal, your lunchtime sandwich bread, and even your "natural" and "healthy" granola bars. Not to mention all of the processed foods that rely on red dye to make them look more appealing. But why is this? And what can you do to avoid eating so much of it?
Why Is Red Dye in So Many Foods?
The simple answer is that red dye is cheap. In fact, it's one of the cheapest food colorings available. That's why you'll find it in everything from candy to cake mix. And while there are natural alternatives to red dye, such as beet juice or anthocyanin extract, they tend to be more expensive. As a result, most food manufacturers opt for the cheaper option: red dye.
What Can You Do to Avoid Red Dye?
The best way to avoid red dye is to eat whole foods instead of processed foods. However, I understand that sometimes life gets busy and cooking from scratch isn't always an option. If that's the case, try to look for foods that are dyed with natural alternatives, such as beet juice or anthocyanin extract. You can also look for products that are certified organic, as these cannot contain synthetic dyes of any kind.
If you're concerned about eating too much red dye, the best thing you can do is cook whole foods from scratch. However, I understand that sometimes life gets busy and cooking from scratch isn't always an option. If that's the case, try to look for foods that are dyed with natural alternatives or certified organic products. By taking these simple steps, you can help reduce your exposure to synthetic dyes and improve your overall health!
