Once we saw how much better our son did without dyes in his food, we thought we were in the clear. But then came another wave of frustration: we started finding artificial colors in places we’d never expect.
Things we trusted. Products labeled “natural.” Even vitamins from brands made for kids. All full of artificial dyes.
The Shocking Part? It Wasn’t Just the Snacks.
Here’s a list of places we found dyes that really caught us off guard:
-
Children’s vitamins and medicine – even ones labeled “grape” or “berry” used Red 40 or Blue 1.
-
Toothpaste – bright blue gels and even some “natural” kid brands.
-
Mouthwash – especially the “fun” flavors.
-
Ice cream and yogurt – some brands added color just to make it look more “strawberry” or “blueberry.”
-
Pickles – yes, really. Some use Yellow 5 to get that neon color.
-
White marshmallows – often dyed with Blue 1 to make them appear “whiter.”
-
Store-brand snacks – dyes slipped in as a cheap way to appeal to kids.
-
Soaps and bubble bath – especially the “character” ones for kids, often dyed bright pinks or purples.
The Swap Game: What We Did Instead
Instead of focusing on what we couldn’t have, we focused on what we could find. We weren’t perfect, but we got creative and resourceful.
-
Switched to dye-free gummies and chewables (or powdered supplements)
-
Used clear or white toothpaste with safe ingredients
-
Bought unsweetened yogurt and added fruit at home
-
Found a few clean brands we could trust and stuck with them
-
Made our own bath products (which later inspired Root & Clay!)
Why It Was Worth It
Every swap helped. Each one made us feel more in control and less at the mercy of mysterious ingredients. And every meltdown not triggered felt like a huge win.
The more we paid attention, the more we realized: this wasn’t about being extreme. It was about giving our kid the best shot at thriving – and being the calm, joyful version of himself we knew was in there.
Coming Up Next
In Step 4, I’ll share how we handled school, birthday parties, and holidays – when dye-filled treats were everywhere, and the pressure to “just let him have it” was real.