Episode 80: Navigating the Food Additive Maze

In this episode, I'm unpacking one of the most confusing and overwhelming parts of feeding kids today: food additives.

This conversation comes straight off the back of my recent TV segments on Sunrise, where we talked about ice creams and ingredients lists. It sparked a lot of questions from parents, and honestly, it highlighted just how far our food supply has shifted over the years. Even foods we once thought were simple are now packed with additives, preservatives, sweeteners and colours that our grandparents wouldn't recognise.

In this episode, I walk you through what food additives actually are, why they're used, and why they matter so much for children's nutrition. We talk about the evidence linking artificial colours and preservatives to children's behaviour and gut health, including the well-known University of Southampton study funded by the UK Food Standards Authority. I also share practical, realistic ways to reduce your child's additive load without aiming for perfection.

If you're feeding a picky eater or fussy eater and trying to balance convenience with a healthy diet for fussy eaters, this episode will give you clarity, not fear.

In this episode, we cover:

The modern food problem
How ultra-processed foods and misleading marketing have reshaped children's nutrition.

What food additives actually are
A clear breakdown of preservatives, colours, sweeteners, emulsifiers and more.

What the research tells us
The link between additives, gut health, inflammation and children's behaviour.

Real-life examples parents ask about
Ice blocks, "low sugar" products and why some swaps are not as healthy as they seem.

Where to start without overwhelm
Simple, realistic steps to reduce additives for your child, one food at a time.

Helpful links and resources:

Karina's Programs and Guides  https://nourishwithkarina.com/programsandguides

Karina's Supermarket Guru Program  https://nourishwithkarina.com/guru