Food dyes are artificial colorings used in many processed foods. There is conflicting information in the research if they do affect behavior. Overall, they are not an essential ingredient for health, and are often best avoided.

Artificial sweeteners are synthetic sugar substitutes. They mimic the sweetness of sugar while providing fewer calories. Caution should be used in deciding if artificial sweeteners are a better alternative for children than natural sugars.

Glutamate is an amino acid as well as the most abundant neurotransmitter in the human body. Glutamate has an excitatory effect on neurons, which can potentially make certain symptoms, like ADHD and anxiety, worse.

Glyphosate is a widely used herbicide and pesticide. The EPA asserts that glyphosate is harmless to humans but research has shed light on a number of health concerns potentially linked to this chemical.

High-fructose corn syrup (HFCS) is an artificial sugar derived from corn with little nutritive value and possible negative health outcomes.

Histamine is a natural chemical present in our bodies and in certain foods. Histamine intolerance is when there is too much histamine in the body and can be caused by exposure to an allergen, consuming high histamine foods, or an inability to produce the enzyme needed to break down histamine in the body.

MSG is the most common form of free glutamate in foods. Foods with high amounts of free glutamate cause a large influx into our bodies and this is problematic for some people, leading to a range of symptoms including overexcitation, anxiety, headaches, and seizures. MSG has been proposed to have neurotoxic effects.

Oxalates are a natural substance found in certain foods. They are molecules with a negative charge. In the body oxalates combine with positively charged minerals like calcium, iron, magnesium and copper. Once bound to these minerals oxalates are removed from the body through stool (in most people). If not removed in stool, they may be excreted in the urine or stored in tissues.

Parabens are man-made chemical preservatives used to prevent the growth of bacteria, yeast, and mold and extend shelf life. There is widespread exposure to parabens among the US population but some researchers and organizations have concerns and claim that parabens are endocrine-disrupting chemicals.

Phenols are a type of chemical found in food. They can occur naturally in plant foods and can also be man-made and added to processed foods as preservatives or dyes. Natural phenols are in many nutritious foods and can be beneficial, but some people are highly sensitive to these food chemicals, and consuming them can cause many unpleasant symptoms

Phthalates are man-made chemicals used to make plastics more flexible. They are a concern because they act as endocrine disruptors and have been implicated in many negative health conditions including ASD and ADHD.

Salicylates are naturally-occurring chemicals found in fruits and vegetables. People can have a sensitivity to salicylates and this sensitivity can manifest through skin, gastrointestinal, respiratory, and nervous system issues. People with autism often have low sulfate levels which lead to impaired sulfation and sensitivities to salicylates and phenols in general.