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Discover gut health tips, personalized nutrition advice, and empowering stories for women managing IBS and IBD. Reclaim your joy in eating with holistic solutions and practical insights for vibrant living.
How harmful are food dyes?
How Harmful Are Dyes? The Truth and What to Focus On First
Gut health dietitian breaks it down.
Let me set the scene:
You’re watching a group of kids go from totally chill to absolute chaos in minutes. My friend @meggthompsonbehavior saw it happen, asked the mom what was up, and the answer?
“They just had their Flintstones vitamins.”
Not soda. Not candy. Vitamins.
So what’s going on here?
As someone who lives, breathes, and studies functional nutrition, I can tell you: artificial dyes are… complicated.
Photo by Alexander Grey on Unsplash
What the Science Says:
We’re learning more and more about the gut microbiome, and let’s just say: artificial dyes don’t do it any favors. They may confuse your immune system, disrupt good gut bacteria, and leave behind some mildly toxic metabolites (kind of like alcohol — but not as bad).
And yet — our U.S. food regulations haven’t really budged since the 1940s.
There are loud voices out there saying “ban it all!” and others saying “no big deal.” The truth? It’s somewhere in the middle.
Here’s What Matters More Than Dyes:
Before you overhaul your pantry, focus on the big rocks that actually move the needle on your health:
Eat enough fiber.
Move your body every day.
Balance your blood sugar with regular meals and snacks.
Prioritize protein at every meal.
Because listen, our health crisis isn’t just about Red 40 or BHT.
It’s about skipping meals, sitting too much, scrolling past our body’s needs, and acting like bananas are bad for us.
TL;DR?
Dyes aren’t amazing. But stressing over them while ignoring your basic needs? Way worse.
You deserve clear, calm, science-rooted guidance — and that’s what I’ll keep giving you.
Want to hear the full story? Tune into this week’s podcast here.
You aren’t alone, and it’s not all in your head.
I am a registered dietitian helping women get to the root cause of diarrhea, constipation, and bloating so they can have predictable bowel movements.
Schedule a free, 15-minute call here
@womensguthealth on YouTube, Instagram
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Registered Dietitian and how is that different from a nutritionist?
A Registered Dietitian is a healthcare professional who has completed related coursework (usually bachelor's and master's degree) and been credentialed by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics via a board certification exam and 1200 hour supervised practice internship.
This is different from a nutritionist, as RDN's must comply with federal regulations, be licensed at the state level, and adhere to a code of ethics. Anyone, including you, can call themselves a "nutritionist".
RDN's use evidence-based recommendations backed by scientific research and have completed years of schooling to understand the human body, digestion, and metabolism of nutrients so they may make the most practical and appropriate recommendations without bias or misinformation.
Do you take insurance?
We can provide you with a superbill that offers codes for reimbursement of an out of network provider. We also accept health savings/flex savings cards for payment.
Insurance companies are not based in prevention or longer, thorough work. Think back to your last doctors appointment, did the doctor spend a full hour with you? Could you email the doctor over the weekend and expect a response?
The reason our programs work is because we offer a detailed, thorough, personalized service-not 15 minute increments that result in a band-aid solution.
The reason you are reading this is because you have tried the other ways, and they have not worked for you. This is the BEST kind of investment, one that saves time and money in the long run (no more $80 supplement purchases that do nothing).
Plus, you aren't alone on this journey. Our concierge style service offers messaging and phone check-ins as needed. When was the last time your insurance paid for a phone call on a Saturday afternoon so you could review a restaurant menu for safe options before a night out?
Is this an extreme elimination diet?
NO! You have tried those! In order for you to be successful, the foods we decide to eliminate should:
Make you feel better right away.
Be reintroduced via step by step process within 3 months.
Allow for you to still have PLENTY of options of things to eat within your budget, prep time frame, level of competency in the kitchen, and preferences.
Most of our clients are eliminating too many foods already, so the first step is usually to bring some variety back and give you all the resources you need to meal plan, grocery shop, and prep like a pro using foods that love you back and ultimately support a healthy gut.
Where is your office located?
This is a remote practice, and all sessions are via Zoom or similar, depending on your preference. No commuting to an office, waiting in a waiting room, having to leave work or getting a babysitter. Meetings and your patient portal are encrypted and HIPPA secure.
What do you offer that I cannot do myself?
I understand it seems like we can just search the internet or support groups to find a solution without making an investment. But, haven’t you tried this strategy already? How did that work out?
We offer answers to those contradicting recommendations (fiber or no fiber?), provide accountability (this time you WILL succeed!), and all recommendations are based on your body.
What works for one person does not work for another, and there is no one pill to heal your gut. If this was true, your physician would have given you the secret sauce years ago!
How does this work?
The first step is to schedule a free, 15 minute consult with Molly.
During your call, she will also explain the different options of our programs based on your story and needs.
From there she can place you with the right fit (group, 1:1, pediatric, etc) for an initial session that lasts around 70 minutes.
What happens at my first session?
We review your entire health history & organize what to tackle in order of priority (for example if you have chronic kidney disease and chronic diarrhea but kidneys are fine right now, we wouldn't focus specifically on kidney health right away). We review what you are currently eating and what your schedule looks like, your medications and supplements, and all of your questions. After this session, you will have:
-A personalized action plan with tweaks to diet, lifestyle, and the supplements (if appropriate) you take to feel better right away.
-Answers to all your burning questions about YOUR condition and history.
-An idea of why you may be experiencing the symptoms and/or frustrations you are dealing with.
-A meal plan and general outline of foods that work/do not work for your body.
We always recommend before you make a decision on how to proceed that you attend the initial session, which is packed with value. Price varies based on practitioner/program, and we discuss pricing during your 15 minute consult.
Do you address mold, MCAS, eczema, and hormones?
YES! We have found that these are all related to gut issues. The gut is connected to every other body system, so to heal involves looking deeper into other areas of the body, past or present toxin exposures, and all the other things! Hormones like estrogen and insulin are always a factor as well, and we work to bring the body back to harmony.
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