Does anyone know where to find foods without red dye??

Question

My 2 1/2 daughter has a allergy to all of the red dyes, and I am finding it difficult to find "snacks" that my other kids eat without red dye in it. I don't want to bring anything in the house that can hurt my daughter, but also find it unfair to not have some of the foods my sons like and used to eat..Help!!!

**Snacks~ Little Debbies, Gummies(including Vitemens), Popcicles, Anything that is supposed to be fruit flavored (many cereals), snack crackers, And lots more things you wouldn't even think of, It's crazy!

Please do not leave Rude answers!

I musn't of mentioned I DO READ THE LABELS! That is why I am asking. It is so bad that alot of her perscriptions have to be made speacial because most kids drugs have dye in it... My Daughter gets really sick, and I would never give her anything with red dye in it, That's why I read the labels. Thanks For REAL answers.

Answer 1

My daughter has the same allergy-- but to all dyes and preservatives.
My son is allergic to corn-- so nothing with corn syrup for him.

We do alot fo shopping at Trader Joe's , Wild Oats, Whole Foods.
Some specialty grocery stores will have a "natural" section to where you can find snacks.

Then, in a pinch, I often just make homemade thing too.
You will learn which brands are best and what her favorites are. That just takes time.

Hang in there, and think "natural".


EDIT:
Forgot to mention that "our" goodies often taste better than the usual ones. Things I have bought for my kids tends to get all eaten up and the other stuff sits there. I've learned to bring enough for everyone.
Also, I have to get special meds for my daughter too.

Answer 2

It is amazing and disturbing how many foods contain red dye. We avoid it pretty much completely in our house. Brands like Back to Nature and Newman's Own, and several others make lots of snack foods and cereals that are dye-free, fruit leathers are really good, (some more $ than others) and I think are dye-free. Just check at any Whole Foods or Wild Oats or Trader Joe's or the "natural" food section of most grocery stores and get familiar w/ some new brands. It may cost more than you're used to, but considering it's stuff we put into our bodies, some things are worth more

Answer 3

I'm under the impression that healthy snacks like natural applesauce, fruit cups with nothing but fruit in them (no cherries), cheese sticks, plain crackers, rice cakes, or pudding cups would not have dye in them.

Apple slices, bananas, grapes, blueberries, clementines, or any other fresh fruit doesn't have dye.

The better cereals (Kix, plain Cheerio's, Life, Chex, etc. rather than fake fruit flavored ones with a lot of sugar) don't, as far as I know, have dyes.

Yogurts don't always have dye in them.

Tropicana makes fruit juice bars that are only lime flavored, so I wouldn't think they have red dye in them. A good quality ice cream probably doesn't have red dye in it.

I'd think cookies that don't have frosting with decorations on them wouldn't have dyes. There are probably fruit pies without it.

If you buy something like Pillsbury Quick Breads they're super easy to bake up, and you could double-check to make sure there's no red dye in them. You could mix up a few batches of a cake-type dessert, freeze them, and they'd be ready when you wanted them.

Isn't it true that good quality chocolate doesn't have red dye?

The natural foods section has trail mixes and dried fruits. I'd think you could even find things like potato chips, pretzels or popcorn that doesn't have it in it.

A good guide to what snacks are healthiest is whether or not they are likely to have dye or other stuff in them, so eliminating as many of the snacks with dyes or chemicals of any kind as much as possible is best for the kids anyway.

Answer 4

I have an allergy to a red dye used in medicine so I can relate. Health food store - let them do the research for you and making your own snacks. Once you get into the rythym it's not hard and they do taste better. We too use Juicy Juice as it has no artificial colors etc. As far as your other kids, your daughter will have to learn soon she can't have certain foods so I wouldn't deprive them. I would just try to have something as yummy for her. Soon she will be in school and will have to be in the routine of knowing "this food makes me sick but I can have this". It's so hard but hey, you are on the road and it looks like breaking your backside trying. Someday she will appreciate all of your hard work. Good Job Mom!

Answer 5

If you cant buy them, why not try and make your own snacks??Make your own popcicles from juice you know does not have additive. There are also other great snack recipes for children available and You will be certain then of the ingredients.
I know its hard to buy anything without additives these days, but the old fruit and veg snacks are just as good, and better for them.

Answer 6

Health food/organic groceries often carry gummy snacks, etc that do not have red dye in them. Also, some varieties of fruit juice popscicle don't have red dye in them either.

Time to get creative!

Answer 7

Gosh, all I can think of is Juicy Juice. It doesn't contain dyes. You might could contact a health food store and talk to them about dye-free foods and drinks. You will be surprised how much information they have on this sort of thing. Good luck!

Answer 8

Go to a Health Food store & ask them for suggestions. I'm sure there are LOTS of tasty snacks your kids will like if you go the "all natural" route. You might like some- yourself! :)

Answer 9

Go to an organic store such as Whole Foods. They would have foods without red dye.

Answer 10

Any grocery store has them you just have to read the label on everything. I have never seen a section just for dye free.
Here is one list mostly cooking ingredients. http://www.food.gov.uk/news/newsarchive/2005/may/parared#h_3