Avoiding Additives

 

I was recently showing a client how many preservatives are added into sausages, and she was shocked when she saw there were THIRTEEN additives in her favourite snags! The good news, she now has a preservative-free sausage, that contains just meat, herbs, spices and water - as it should be!

Another example is Vegemite, just one serve of it contains MSG, preservatives and colours! #dontshoothemessenger

Additives can be harmful to your health. Everyone responds differently, but we know that for some people, additives (preservatives, flavour enhancers, colours, emulsifiers, etc.) can cause/contribute to many types of reactions including:

  • headaches

  • migraines

  • urticaria (hives)

  • dermatitis,

  • sweating,

  • general skin issues,

  • asthma,

  • hayfever,

  • sinusitis,

  • digestive pain

  • diarrhoea

You often can't test for food additive issues. After all, most additives are synthetic or synthetic versions. For this reason, it's best to try an additive-free diet for a short period of time (at least 4 weeks) and keep a diet diary to track how food impacts you. It’s best to do this under the guidance of a naturopath or nutritionist.

4 Tips for ditching additives

  • Eat wholefoods. Opt for foods with minimal ingredients - real foods.

    • The more wholefoods you eat, the less processed food that’ll come into your kitchen and end up on your plate!

    • So think of eating more veggies, salad, fruit, nuts, seeds, ethically sourced and high quality seafood, chicken, beef, lentils, legumes, and some fermented dairy such as yoghurt and high quality grains such as rice and sourdough.

  • Focus on all the foods you can eat, not what you can't. Find additive-free alternatives.

    • A few of my favourite additive-free food brands, that you can get online + from some supermarkets/health food stores:

      • Sauces/condiments + biscuits - Ceres

      • Sweets + chocolates + ice-cream - Pana

      • Vegemite alternative - EveryMite

      • Spices and seasonings - Let’s Mingle

      • Stock/broth + mayo - Gevity rx

      • Wrap bread - Mountain Bread

      • Lebanese bread + pizza bases - MBE or Nana

      • Granola - Farmer Jo

    • A few of my favourite additive-free cleaning and skin care/beauty brands, that you can get online:

      • Abode - affordable and additive-free cleaning products developed by Naturopath and Building biologist

      • The Nourished Life - natural and additive-free make up, skin care, deodorant, toothpaste and personal hygiene products

      • Inika Organics Australia - organic make-up range

  • Read labels - check out the ingredient list. It’s not just about additives in your food - check for additives and preservatives in your skin care, deodorant, toothpaste, cleaning products and laundry detergent!

    • Reduce/remove additives - avoid preservatives, sweeteners and colours, especially:

      • Annatto colour (160B) - the orange-red food colouring is linked with skin issues like acne and itchy skin, irritability, mood swings, behavioural issues, weak digestion and IBS. For example, it’s in Vegemite.

      • Tartrazine (E102) - the yellow food colouring is linked with urticaria, asthma and allergies

      • Calcium propionate (282) - found in store-bought breads, pastries and cakes is linked with headaches, migraines, behavioural issues and sleep issues.

      • Sulphur dioxide (220) - a common preservative in wine, sausages, deli meat and dried fruit. Linked with asthma, respiratory issues, gastric disturbances, and hormonal issues. For example, it’s often in dried apricots, desiccated coconut and sultanas.

      • Sodium sulphite (221) - found in cheese, beer, bread and egg-based products, and can contribute towards allergic flare-ups, respiratory issues and hormonal issues. Found in products such as Mersey Valley Cheese.

        • Those intolerant towards natural sulphites should avoid added sulphites (E221-228).

So start small. You don’t need to remove every single additive at once. The best place to start is by reducing and removing artificial colours. Start reading ingredient lists and make healthy swaps!

There’s also some great resources out there, one of the best books is called Low Tox Life by Alexx Stuart (available online such as Booktopia) and there’s apps like The Chemical Maze; all which help you avoid additives and find replacements, including food, as well as skin care, make up, deodorant and cleaning products.

For homemade, easy, healthy and additive-free meal ideas and recipes, check out Foundations in Food eBook. The Apple Toffee Granola and Lemon Tart are to of the yummiest, additive-free recipes!

 
Olivia McFadyen