LilSugar

Do You Use Natural Food Dyes For Your Child's Treats?

Leta Shy — Thu, 31 Mar 2011 05:31:27 PDT

Should warning labels be on artificially dyed foods? The FDA is trying to decide this following a study showing that those petroleum-based dyes found in everything from cereal to candy can cause behavioral problems like ADHD. If the findings worry you, moms who still want to make a colorful treat for her kids can still feed them the rainbow by using natural food dye, which are made from the colors naturally found in certain foods.

If you want to try out natural coloring, making your own can be half the fun of an afternoon of family cooking! Lil ones will love to experiment with homemade color combinations, which use common kitchen ingredients like red cabbage, beets, turmeric, onion skins, and coffee to impart pretty shades of pink, red, orange, and more.

Store-bought dyes are another great option, especially for decorating baked goods. India Tree Nature's Colors come in a pack of liquid red, yellow, and blue ($19) and can be combined to make other colors, while Nature's Flavors sells many different shades in powder and liquid form ($15 each).

While natural food dyes don't give you those vibrant colors that we're used to from artificial dyes, what better time than Spring and Easter than to experiment with different shades of pastels! What natural food dye tricks do you use?

Source: Flickr User AmberStrocel

A Rainbow of Issues Tied to Food Dyes; Test Your Knowledge

Rebecca M Gruber — Tue, 29 Mar 2011 07:30:58 PDT

They make food fun and enticing to a lil one's eyes, but there's more to food dyes than many mamas might imagine. The same drops that are used to create rainbow foods have been linked to attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder in tots and much more. This week an advisory panel to the Food and Drug Administration will meet to discuss the possibility of added warning labels to products containing synthetic food dyes. Take this quiz to see how much you know about these ever-present color makers in our favorite foods.

Source: Flickr User kckellner

Take the Quiz

Strawberries With a Side of ADHD?

FitSugar — Mon, 17 May 2010 12:00:12 PDT

Not too sure that organic produce is worth the extra dough? This may change your mind. It looks like scientists in the US and Canada may have found a connection between pesticide exposure and ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder). Researchers tested 1,000 kids, ages eight to 15, and analyzed their urine for traces of pesticides. They found that 119 of the participants had signs of ADHD. And get this - the children with the highest concentrations of pesticides were twice as likely to be diagnosed with this condition as compared to the kids who had only traces of the chemical in their urine. That's a huge difference. The pesticides detected were ones commonly used in conventional produce such as frozen blueberries, strawberries, and celery.

ADHD affects about 4.5 million children in the US, and 2.5 million take medication to treat their condition. That means the findings of this study aren't something that should be ignored, as the connection between pesticides and ADHD is pretty strong. Certain pesticides will leave the body after about a week, but this study shows that some degree of pesticide residue will remain in the body, making exposure to these chemicals ongoing. Kids are especially at a greater risk since their young bodies are still developing.

Scientists aren't saying that eating conventional produce that's treated with pesticides will automatically lead to the development of ADHD, because many other factors may be involved, but this study may offer yet another reason to choose organic foods whenever possible.

Anal Beer Bongs, Vodka-Soaked Tampons (Those Crazy Teens!)

TresSugar — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 11:30:00 PDT

What is going on with today's teens? I just read a study that said there's been a 76 percent rise in emergency room visits between 1998 -2005 among teens who are abusing ADHD drugs like Adderall. (They crush the meds, which may or may not have been prescribed to them, snort them, and can experience side effects that mimic cardiac arrest.)

And now, a news report says that not only are many teens abusing alcohol and drugs - they're delivering those substances to their systems in bizarre and harmful ways. In Phoenix, AZ, they're snorting vodka, and some teens are soaking vodka in their tampons, which, as one expert said, can damage their reproductive systems. (And I would rather not visualize what an anal beer bong is.)

This is just sad. I was a pretty innocent teen, and although there were some bad girls in junior high who brought alcohol to school, I don't think they were doing drugs.

The woman in the video who specializes in dealing with teen substance abuse says that drug use triples between sixth and eighth grade. Did you see this in your schools growing up?

Lil Links: Link Between Kids With ADHD and Substance Abuse?

LilSugar — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 11:00:00 PST

Is there a link between kids with ADHD and substance abuse? - Health
Moms sit down for a chat with Salma Hayek - Boston Mamas
David Grohl's baby blues - Celebrity Baby Blog
Get Max Bratman's baby style! - Celebrity Baby Scoop
Must-have snow toys and gear - Cookie
Five most (and least) useful baby products - Alpha Mom
Hollywood mogul Brain Grazer's ex wants $1 million a month in child support - Parentdish
Your best childhood pet - The Poop
Did you plan pregnancy around your career? - Cafe Mom

Scientists Say Taking Adderall to Get Through Day May Be OK

CitizenSugar — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 13:30:38 PST

College students and other concentration seekers know it's not hard to score a 'script for ADHD drugs. Fidgety, disorganized, forgetful. They know the symptoms and they work the system.

But while using Ritalin and Adderall to edge out competition in school and life is nothing new (though the science journal Nature disagrees), a vocal group of scientists supporting it is. They argue that "cognitive enhancement" should no longer be a bad word because it's no different than using education, good health habits, and technology to get ahead. Another similarity? Access to prescription drugs requires a certain degree of privilege, too!

Opponents argue that it's cheating, unnatural, and on par with drug abuse. If they want to curb this trend, I recommend showing young teens Requiem For a Dream at just the right age. But until then, is it just best to accept and regulate it?

Source

You Asked: My Boyfriend Has ADHD

DearSugar — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 17:00:00 PDT

Dear Sugar,

My fiancé and I have been together for three years. I love him dearly, but he has ADHD. While his symptoms aren't severe enough to impact me (other than his occasional forgetfulness and constant pacing), I am worried about our future. He occasionally brings up the possibility of having children once we are married, but every time he mentions it, I get worried. I feel as if I almost don't even want to have children with him after reading that a third of all fathers with ADHD have children with ADHD. I don't know how I would deal with that behavior and academic issues in a child when I was always a straight A student. Is it horrible to think this? And what can I do to get it out of my mind?

- Concerned Cara

To see DearSugar's answer,

read more. Dear Concerned Cara, It's easy to read about worst-case scenarios on the Internet and end up in a tizzy over what may happen, but frankly, every time anyone has a child there's a chance that something could go wrong, and it may or may not be ADHD. Either way, it doesn't mean she won't have behavioral problems or bring home a perfect report card. My point is that while I understand your concerns, there's no point in imagining what could be. Many children are diagnosed with ADD or ADHD every year and the majority of them will grow up to be perfectly happy, functional adults. While it may be more demanding to raise a child with this diagnosis, all children come with their own set of challenges. There's always a chance that something could go wrong, and it may or may not be ADHD. But either way, it doesn't mean she won't have behavioral problems or guarantee a perfect report card. If you really feel like this is something you may not be able to overcome, voice your concerns to your fiancé. Since he faces this every day, he may be able to open up your perspective on the situation, and certainly he has a right to know if you don't want to have children with him. You could also join an online forum for mothers of children with ADHD. I'm sure they'll be able to give you plenty of advice and many positive stories. But most importantly Cara, recognize that life is full of oppositions that we're all stronger for when we finally overcome them. So instead of worrying, start educating yourself. Source

Gold Medal Mama Debbie Phelps

LilSugar — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 11:00:03 PDT

Golden boy Michael Phelps made Olympic history and his mama proud. Now, Debbie Phelps who has rooted her son on his entire life is being honored. People said:

Johnson's Baby has dubbed Debbie their "Mom of the Olympic Games" - and the company will donate money in her name to children's causes. (She'll also film a commercial for Johnson's on Wednesday.) The award came as a nice surprise for the middle school principal, who tells People, "I am so honored."

While the swimmer's achievements awe people all over the world, the wins are particularly inspiring for children with ADHD. The winningest Olympian was diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder at nine years old and got help. When teachers told his mother that Michael couldn't focus, she took them to task explaining that he spent hours in the swimming pool. Obviously, his passion paid off with 16 medals.
Source

Kiddie Wellness: Sleep Apnea

LilSugar — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 13:00:57 PDT

Some kids can't get a good night's sleep and it isn't because they aren't in bed. Children with large tonsils are having them removed due to sleep apnea, which one doctor describes as laying down and trying to breathe through a straw. As a result, tired children have mistakenly been diagnosed with learning disorders like ADHD.

Would You Give Your Child Meds Without Testing?

LilSugar — Fri, 23 May 2008 10:15:40 PDT

Two million children have been diagnosed with ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) and many take medications like Ritalin for the disorder. But, in some cases doctors have written prescriptions for their young patients without ever looking at the brain for proof. Would you trust a medical expert enough to put your kid on meds without ever looking inside their head?