Uh oh ... it’s that time of year again. “They” have let the candy monsters out to attack us. Don’t you see it? It’s Willy Wonka’s candy factory all over again! There’s so much candy in the stores that we think, “Oh I will just have a teensy, weensy little bit of delicacies, and that won’t hurt.”

My, how the mind can rationalize.

Here it comes, the food deluge. And soon we will be thinking about  pumpkin pie, candied yams, marshmallow fruit salad, and more.

Certainly, we cannot help but recognize that there is an inordinate push for sweets. This week, the grocery stores were removing the bags of Halloween candy, and restacking all the new Christmas candy.

What happened to the Halloween candy? Or do the Willy Wonka oompa-loompas just repackage it into the green and red Christmas motif? Questions, questions! 

However, the sugar and high fructose corn syrup “assault” on us all is in motion. That and the partially hydrogenated oils, soy, and artificial flavors and preservatives are villains, too. You see, there is more to the candy and sweets “story” than a lot of sugar! 

So, join me, the old Grinch, in learning why we are a society that is getting sick, and “nobody” seems to know why.

Did you ever look closely at the M&Ms, the Twizzlers, the Dots, and the Skittles ... and observe how brightly colorful they are? Do you know why? I certainly hadn’t given it much thought. I was too busy chomping on it. But my Grinch brain soon alerted me.

You see, it’s all about food coloring. And food coloring is evil ... maybe even poison. 

M&Ms (and many others) are using Red 40 in their candy. What is Red 40 you say? Briefly, it is a synthetic color additive made from petroleum. That color and other artificial food dyes are responsible for the bright colors of candy, sports drinks, and yes, even baked foods. At this point, none of us really know what any food would look like without the added colors. But, the big question is, do we need them in our food?

Artificial food dye consumption has increased by 500% in the last 50 years, and guess who are the biggest consumers? Why children of course. And what of the dyes? It is known now that the majority of them have been found to be toxic.

Don’t necessarily believe or not believe Food and Drug Administration decrees, concluding that these dyes do not pose significant health risks. The use of these dyes is very controversial and remember this, the FDA is made up of economic interests and human beings who are not always virtuous. How do I know that? Because I know we are human, that’s what.

The health problems of our children hint at why children are becoming hyperactive; notable even in both 3-year olds and up. Sensitivity to the dyes is an acknowledged factor as well. And basically, we all are consuming many synthetic additives daily, some necessary and others just cosmetic. Then, there are the “mysteries” of where ADHD comes from and a myriad of other questionable possibilities.

You are reading the truth right now about what those colors are, and the truth always butts its head against our habits. I am messing with our brains now. I forget as well as anyone. We all stick our heads in the sand now and then. 

So, how to avoid all these additives? We can’t. But we can be aware and try to eat food in its natural form, reading labels, and learning about harmful additives. We can just try to do our best.  

Judi Tabler lives in Pawnee County and is a guest columnist for the Great Bend Tribune. She can be reached at juditabler@gmail.com