Conventional – Kraft Jet-Puffed Marshmallows
Ingredients: Corn syrup, sugar, dextrose, modified corn starch, water, gelatin, tetrasodium pyrophosphate (whipping aid), artificial flavor, artificial color (blue1).
Artificial Additives: Additives in food can worsen behavioral problems in children (and adults!), and responses vary from person to person. The Feingold Program mentioned previously (also known as the Feingold Diet) can help you determine if certain foods or food additives are triggering particular symptoms. Visit feingold.org for full details.
What is Tetrasodium Pyrophosphate? Also called sodium pyrophosphate, TSPP is an emulsifier, meaning it helps the ingredients to stick together. You can also find tetrasodium pyrophosphate in things like chicken nuggets, imitation crab, toothpaste, and detergent. It is generally considered to be safe for human consumption but according to A Consumer's Dictionary of Food Additives it can cause nausea, diarrhea and vomiting.
Alternative – Dandies Marshmallows
Ingredients: Corn syrup, vegan beet sugar, corn starch, corn dextrose, water, carrageenan, soy protein, natural vanilla flavor, titanium dioxide (natural mineral), salt.
The bottom line is: Jet Puffed and Dandies Marshmallows are very similar as far as calories, carbs, and even ingredients, but Kraft adds artificial color (what’s blue 1 doing in white marshmallows anyway?) and artificial flavor. Although Dandies contains titanium dioxide, used to create a bright white color, it’s still our favorite.
Savvy Tip: If you enjoy roasting marshmallows over an open fire, think again. The charred areas of foods are carcinogenic heterocyclic amines (HCAs). Remove and discard any charred pieces of marshmallow (or meat or vegetables) before eating.
