From One Autism Parent to Another: Why I Ditched
Seed Oils and Artificial Food Dyes
Proud mom to two amazing children on the autism spectrum, Patti Franklin is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA), Clinical Director at Atlantic Autism Services, Inc., and an Integrative Nutrition Health Coach. She blends behavioral expertise with a whole-family approach to wellness, offering families the tools, compassion, and support they need to thrive—at home, in school, and everywhere in between. Read more to learn about Patti's personal experience and how her child's dietary choices influence his overall well-being.​
Navigating Autism Through Nutrition and Love
If you're anything like me, you're constantly looking for ways to support your child’s health, behavior, and happiness—and sometimes, that search leads us straight into the kitchen.
When my child was first diagnosed with autism, I did what so many of us do: I read everything I could get my hands on, asked a million questions, and tried to piece together what actually helps. One surprising discovery? The impact of certain foods on our children’s minds, moods, and behaviors—especially seed oils and artificial food colors.
Seed Oils: The "Hateful Eight" I Try to Avoid
These oils are in everything—from crackers and chips to salad dressings and frozen meals. They’re cheap and shelf-stable, but here’s the issue: they’re extremely high in omega-6 fatty acids, and too much omega-6 can cause chronic inflammation in the body and brain.
Why This Matters: Children with autism are often more sensitive to inflammation and oxidative stress. These oils can worsen that, potentially impacting brain function, mood regulation, and even gut health.
1. Canola oil
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2. Corn oil
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3. Cottonseed oil
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4. Soybean oil
5. Sunflower oil
6. Safflower oil
7. Grapeseed oil
8. Rice bran oil
Artificial Food Dyes: Bright Colors, Big Concerns
I used to think food dyes were just...colors. But they’re actually synthetic chemicals, many derived from petroleum, and have been linked to hyperactivity, mood swings, and changes in behavior—especially in kids with neurological differences. The FDA has acknowledged concerns in kids with behavioral sensitivities.
For my child, I noticed clear changes in focus and mood when we cut these out.
Dyes to Watch Out For
Red 40
Yellow 5 & 6
Blue 1 & 2
What Can We Do Instead?
You don’t have to overhaul your entire pantry overnight. Small, consistent swaps can lead to big improvements.
Here’s what’s worked for our family:
Swap This ​
Canola or soybean oil
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Bright-colored candies
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Store-bought chips/crackers
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Sugary fruit punches
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Cereal with food dyes
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Frosting with artificial dyes
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Frozen nuggets or fast food
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Processed peanut butter
For This
Extra virgin olive oil, avocado oil, coconut oil, or ghee
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YumEarth or Unreal naturally dyed treats
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Simple Mills almond flour crackers or homemade popcorn with coconut oil
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Fruit-infused water, organic juice, or herbal tea
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Cascadian Farm or One Degree Organics cereals
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Homemade frosting with beet powder, turmeric, or natural sprinkles
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Homemade chicken bites air-fried in avocado oil
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Natural peanut or almond butter (just nuts + salt)
Tips from the Trenches
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Read every label. Oils and dyes hide in surprising places—even in “healthy” brands.
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Cook in batches. Prepping a few safe meals ahead of time helps avoid fast food detours.
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Include your child. Let them pick natural colors or help bake—ownership helps with buy-in.
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Partner with professionals. A pediatric nutritionist or integrative doctor can help guide changes safely.
One Small Change at a Time
I’m not here to say that food will cure anything. But I am saying that the difference I’ve seen in my child—more focus, better sleep, fewer meltdowns—has been worth every bit of label reading and pantry cleanout. As parents of neurodivergent children, we already go above and beyond. This is just one more way to show our kids love—with every bite, every meal, and every small choice that helps them feel more at ease in their own skin. You’re doing an amazing job. And if you ever feel overwhelmed, just remember: one simple swap at a time.
Sources
1. SEED OILS & INFLAMMATION
a. Omega-6 Fatty Acids and Inflammation
Source: Simopoulos, A. P. (2002). "The importance of the ratio of omega-6/omega-3 essential fatty acids." Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy.
Summary: High intake of omega-6 fatty acids (found in seed oils) can lead to pro-inflammatory responses. Chronic inflammation is linked to neurological issues and mood disorders.
b. Dietary Fats and Neurodevelopment
Source: Calder, P. C. (2006). "Polyunsaturated fatty acids and inflammation." Prostaglandins, Leukotrienes and Essential Fatty Acids.
Summary: Highlights how imbalances in PUFAs (especially excess omega-6s) can affect brain function and inflammatory pathways.
c. Seed Oils and Oxidative Stress
Source: Ramsden, C. E. et al. (2013). “Use of dietary linoleic acid for secondary prevention of coronary heart disease and death: Evaluation of recovered data.” BMJ.
Summary: Excess linoleic acid (found in most seed oils) may increase oxidized LDL and inflammation.
2. ARTIFICIAL FOOD COLORS & BEHAVIOR
a. Artificial Food Coloring and Hyperactivity
Source: McCann, D. et al. (2007). “Food additives and hyperactive behavior in 3-year-old and 8/9-year-old children in the community.” The Lancet.
Summary: Found that artificial colors, particularly when combined with preservatives, increased hyperactivity in children.
b. FDA Statement on Food Dyes
Source: FDA Advisory Committee Meeting (2011) – "Certifiable Food Colors and Neurobehavioral Effects in Children."
Summary: The FDA reviewed evidence that synthetic dyes may affect behavior in susceptible children and discussed labeling changes.
c. Review on Food Dyes and Neurotoxicity
Source: Nigg, J. T., et al. (2012). "Meta-analysis of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder symptoms, restriction diet, and synthetic food color additives." Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry.
Summary: Suggests a moderate effect of food dyes on behavior and cognition, particularly in sensitive subgroups.
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d. Dietary Interventions for Autism Spectrum Disorder
Source: Adams, J. B., et al. (2011). “Nutritional and dietary interventions for autism spectrum disorder: A systematic review.” Nutrition & Metabolism.
Summary: Discusses benefits from removing artificial ingredients and using anti-inflammatory dietary approaches in children with autism.
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**Atlantic Autism Services, Inc. is not affiliated with, endorsed by,
or sponsored by any of the products or companies mentioned in this blog post.