The day before vacation, Ana had (quite a few) candy canes.

[conuly]

And I let her eat two or three of them because, hey, it's vacation!

She spent the rest of the afternoon incredibly hyper, starting off with being just very high strung and heading to screaming, and ending with insane, unstoppable giggling fits. I've had those before. They're not as fun as they sound.

I suspect - I don't know - that the culprit is ultimately the food coloring. I don't think it's the sugar, because she's had more than that in a sitting before and it hasn't affected her like this.

*sighs*

It's just not fair. (Not that I think any of us will say "Okay, Ana, no more candy for you!" but we *did* talk to her about why she was having these mood swings and moderation and all.

Comments

[fjorab-teke.livejournal.com]

It could well be. Food coloring and other additives can do things to some people that don't even register at all with most other people.

I remember not being able to specifically eat multicolored marshmallows as a kid because they did something weird to me, though I think mine was more grumpiness than hyperactivity. And I know for certain that various preservatives, especially consistently eaten over a long time, will make my tummy VERY angry.

[catnip13.livejournal.com]

You can get all natural candy canes that are colored with vegetable extracts, just for future reference. The food co-op where I do most of my shopping had them this year (Also, dairy free chocolate advent calenders with decent fair-trade chocolate, which was pretty exciting for me because I don't eat dairy products).

Can I friend you? I've been watching you on parenting101, and I like your style. Plus you are a Tamora Pierce fan, which is a huge mark in your favor.

I've got really, really severe ADHD, so I can identify with a lot of Asperger's issues.

[conuly]

Yeah, go for it, it's always open friending over here :) I'm just careful about friending back, else I can't keep up on my friends page :(

I'll have to think about the natural candy canes. I *love* candy canes.

[catnip13.livejournal.com]

I don't post much, but I do read and comment.

[fjorab-teke.livejournal.com]

It could well be. Food coloring and other additives can do things to some people that don't even register at all with most other people.

I remember not being able to specifically eat multicolored marshmallows as a kid because they did something weird to me, though I think mine was more grumpiness than hyperactivity. And I know for certain that various preservatives, especially consistently eaten over a long time, will make my tummy VERY angry.

[catnip13.livejournal.com]

You can get all natural candy canes that are colored with vegetable extracts, just for future reference. The food co-op where I do most of my shopping had them this year (Also, dairy free chocolate advent calenders with decent fair-trade chocolate, which was pretty exciting for me because I don't eat dairy products).

Can I friend you? I've been watching you on parenting101, and I like your style. Plus you are a Tamora Pierce fan, which is a huge mark in your favor.

I've got really, really severe ADHD, so I can identify with a lot of Asperger's issues.

[conuly]

Yeah, go for it, it's always open friending over here :) I'm just careful about friending back, else I can't keep up on my friends page :(

I'll have to think about the natural candy canes. I *love* candy canes.

[catnip13.livejournal.com]

I don't post much, but I do read and comment.