Me on a soapbox for a second.

I don't know if you've heard about this study yet, but it's been all over the news today. As a Behavior Specialist and local eater, this breakthrough information solicited a big "Well, DUH!" from me.

Here's an excerpt:

THURSDAY, Sept. 6 (HealthDay News) -- Some common food colorings and preservatives appear to increase the risk of hyperactive behavior among children, British researchers report.

The link between food additives and hyperactivity has long been suspected, but this is the first study to show a direct connection.

The findings have already caused the British government's Food Standards Agency, which funded the study, to issue a warning to parents about food additives.

"Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is an increasingly common problem, and theories abound to account for that," said Dr. David Katz, director of the Prevention Research Center at Yale University School of Medicine. "Among them is the notion that food additives induce hyperactivity."

It goes on to say how they gave two groups of children either commercially available additive loaded or additive free drinks (who lets their kids be in these studies????) After 6 weeks, the kids who consumed the drink with additives displayed significantly more hyperactive behavior, as well as shorter attention spans.

This is beyond disturbing to me, but also - is there anyone out there who thought that perhaps additives may be good for kids? I totally understand the appeal of convenient food, and will admit to partaking in a delicious bowl of Cap'n Crunch once in awhile as a child. But by no means were additives a regular part of my diet, nor are they now - and I certainly won't be feeding them to my future children. Maybe I'm being too harsh on parents, not being one myself, but I think that there has to be a link not only in the additives, but in the type of parenting that would allow children to be consuming that level of additives on a daily basis. Throw a Pop Tart in your kids hand before sending them off to school with their Lunchable, mix up some Kool-Aid, toss some dinosaur shaped chicken nuggets in the oven for dinner and serve them up with a side of FD&C Red No.40 and ADHD. Fabulous.

Okay, seriously, I do understand that parenting is the most difficult job ever - that's why I've avoided the position for so long. And I also understand that companies are sneaky about throwing in a little Quinoline Yellow into an otherwise healthy looking beverage. It's just that I think there is something to be said for just slowing down to give our kids what they need, not just what's most convenient.

Photo: Tartrazine (E102), commonly added to carbonated beverages and lollipops. Mmmm.