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Episodes

Wednesday Aug 13, 2025
Ep. 371: The Surprising Consequences of Synthetic Dyes with Whitney & Brandon Cawood
Wednesday Aug 13, 2025
Wednesday Aug 13, 2025
This episode is brought to you by Cozy Earth, one of HeHe’s favorite things to have on hand for a comfy pregnancy and postpartum period! Use code HEHE for 40% off the softest PJ’s, loungewear, or even new sheets to make your pregnancy and postpartum feel a little more luxurious.
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In this episode of The Birth Lounge Podcast, I’m sitting down with Whitney and Brandon Cawood to uncover the hidden ways synthetic food dyes can impact your child’s health and behavior. We’re talking real-life symptoms like irritability, hyperactivity, sleep struggles, and even aggression — and the science that backs it up. Whitney and Brandon share their powerful story of discovering their son’s sensitivity to dyes, the huge transformation they saw after removing them, and how that journey turned into advocacy work.
We’re pulling back the curtain on industry resistance, why the FDA has been slow to act, and what legislation is (and isn’t) doing to protect families. You’ll get practical tips for spotting dyes in your pantry, finding dye-free swaps, and trusting your gut when it comes to your child’s health — even if the experts say otherwise. This is your crash course in advocating for your kids, one grocery trip at a time.
Timestamps
00:00 Introduction to Synthetic Dyes and Their Effects
01:07 Welcome to The Birth Lounge Podcast
01:37 The Secret Sauce to Pushing Course
02:00 Understanding the Anatomy of Pushing
04:06 Challenges in the Hospital System
05:26 A World Without Synthetic Food Dyes
07:17 How Synthetic Dyes Affect Children
10:24 The Cawood Family’s Story
17:12 Raising Awareness & Building Community
31:06 Genetics & Dye Sensitivity
34:35 The Push for Legislation & Safer Alternatives
37:03 The Health Toll of Synthetic Dyes
38:11 FDA Inaction & Public Pressure
41:23 Fighting for Education & Awareness
45:51 Barriers for Low-Income Families
48:14 Removing Harmful Chemicals from Daily Life
50:51 Why They Made a Documentary
52:25 Trust Issues with Regulatory Agencies
54:54 How Prevalent Synthetic Dyes Really Are
01:02:36 Easy Dye-Free Swaps
01:05:14 Industry Resistance to Change
01:07:55 State Efforts & Corporate Pushback
01:09:10 Empty Corporate Promises
01:12:25 The Worst Offending Dyes
01:17:42 Decoding Dye Labels
01:23:33 Parental Advocacy in a Broken System
01:31:54 Resources & Final Thoughts
BIO:
After discovering their child’s sensitivity to synthetic dyes, Brandon and Whitney Cawood, parents-turned-filmmakers, embarked on a journey to uncover the hidden impacts of these additives. Their documentary combines scientific insights and personal stories from affected families, revealing the unseen dangers of synthetic dyes. Through expert interviews and heartfelt narratives, the Cawoods aim to raise awareness of the profound effects these chemicals can have on individuals and families alike. Since beginning this journey, they’ve also become national advocates, working on legislation across the U.S. to help protect children from harmful food additives.
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BIRTH EDUCATION:
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LINKS MENTIONED:
https://www.todyeforthedocumentary.com/
Keywords:
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