Additive Free Tips
The Additive Free Kids Blog provides you with product reviews, tips and advice from our extensive research, and the latest Additive Free news.
How to reduce the additive overdose at Christmas
Did you know that an average Australian family will consume well over 150 doses of harmful food additives in just 3 days?! If you consider that most families will celebrate with both sides of their family and consume traditional Christmas meals on Christmas Eve,...
Essential oil injuries and what to do about them
This blog has been prompted by an Additive Free Kids Community member's experience. This member reached out to me recently, as they recalled I had shared some information on essential oil safety sometime ago. The info I shared at that time was "Why you should not use...
Real food doesn’t need trademarks
The number one tell tale sign that you should put a product back on the shelf is if an ingredient is trademarked. Real food doesn’t need trademarks. What does a trademark imply? Trademarked ingredients imply that proprietary methods have been used in their...
Big food creating a generation of fussy eaters?
How many parents struggle at meal times? Are your kids fussy easters? Do your kids like eating a wide range of vegetables? Most Australian children don't have their required servings of vegetables every day Dr Deb Levy an Australian specialist pediatrician has stated...
Why supermarket cordial should be avoided
Cordial has been a favourite for Australian families for decades. With over 50 different cordials on the supermarket shelves, it is obvious that this is a popular staple for Australian families. Why is cordial so popular? Manufacturers push the line that cordial can...
Food additives suppress immune system
Food additives suppress immune system For those that have been additive free for many years, have you noticed that you rarely get sick? Did you know that food additives can actually suppress the immune system? The reason why you don’t get sick as often may actually be...
Does it cost more to be additive free?
I can't tell you the amount of times I have heard Mums all over Australia say that it costs so much more to be additive free: "it is so expensive to eat healthy!' Parents tell me all the time that they want to move to additive free but have a belief that it is too...
Which icy poles does your school stock and how do they compare?
The AFK Community are fed up with Zooper Dooper icy poles being handed out to their kids at school! This icy pole review was prompted by a post that I shared on Facebook some time ago expressing my sadness at seeing HUGE displays of Zooper Doopers being marketed to...
Recommended rice intake for infants and young children
A new study has been published 8 January 2020 in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, discussing the arsenic concentrations and dietary exposure in rice based infant food in Australia. What was the purpose of this study? The purpose...
How does your tomato sauce compare?
This guide was created on the back of an AFK community request. The AFK Community were finding it difficult to navigate which tomato sauce is better in terms of additives. The most favourite sauces were voted for in the private facebook group and these are the ones...
“Sugar free” often means additive cocktail
The sugar free movement has really taken hold. Here in Australia, we know that Australians are consuming too much sugar with 35% of an adults total daily calories coming from discretionary foods. Examples of these discretionary foods include lollies, chocolates and...
Is your almond milk laden with additives?
An additive free guide to buying almond milk This guide was created on the back of an AFK Community members question. Do you ever ask what milk a cafe uses if you don't use dairy? More and more cafes (in Queensland) seem to be using Milk Lab. This is the almond milk....
New research shows that additives can cross the placental barrier to babies
New research shows that additives can cross the placental barrier to babies. A new study from the University of Central Florida was published in the Scientific Reports in June 2019. This study was conducted over 18 months and was self funded by the University (it is...
Why you don’t need to be a dietitian to take responsibility for your health
Take responsibility for your health. This blog was inspired by one of our gorgeous community members that does take responsibility for her own health. She was horrified by a message she saw sent out by a dietician to their community. The message was that there are...
Our children deserve healthier fundraisers
Do you think we need healthier fundraiser alternatives? This week I shared on our Facebook page a new fundraiser I had come across on social media. It was pizza fundraiser from Bakers Delight. Most people seem to have a perception of Bakers Delight that the products...
Sneaky tactics to watch out for when buying additive free stock / bone broth
The search for additive free stock begins with the start of winter approaching. The cooler warmer brings a desire for comfort food and warm hearty meals. You will often find soups, stews and casseroles frequenting the winter menu. The basis of many of...
Food additive 171 (titanium dioxide) is harmful to our gut and may cause cancer
Food additive 171 (Titanium dioxide) is harmful to our gut and may cause cancer The University of Sydney has released a new study about additive 171, titanium dioxide. Titanium Dioxide is an additive used to whiten and brighten food. Other applications include...
What are natural flavours and should you avoid them?
What are natural flavours and should you avoid them? I can't tell you the amount of times I have been asked "What are natural flavours?" and "Should I avoid them?" This has been a topic I have been meaning to blog about for such a long time! It isn't a simple answer...
Which mini easter eggs should you buy this Easter?
Which mini easter eggs should you buythis Easter? Are you unsure which Mini Easter Eggs to buy for your family this Easter? We have had lots of requests from our Additive Free Kids Community group looking for guidance in which Easter Eggs to buy for their family. I...
Open letter to teachers: please don’t give our kids food rewards
Open letter to teachers: Please don't give our kids food rewards! Dear Teachers,I represent over 20,000 Mums from the Additive Free Kids community around Australia. These Mums are concerned about the state of the food supply and the amount of additives in our food...
Hot cross bun recipe roundup
Hot Cross Bun recipe roundup Following on from our Hot Cross Bun reviews - Part 1 - Which hot cross buns to buy at the supermarket and Part 2 - Are bakery hot cross buns better? there were so many of you that commented that you were just going to make your own now....
Top 5 reasons to eat sugar before additives
Top 5 reasons to eat sugar before additives A question that I hear often is – which are worse – additives or sugar? This was discussed recently in the Additive Free Kids private Facebook community group. There was unanimous consensus that additives are worse than...
Lunchboxes are not party time – our kids and teachers deserve better!
We only have a couple of weeks left before all the kiddies head back to school. Social media has been inundated with questions from Mums asking for recommendations for: - lunch boxes- cooler bags- drink bottles So much time and energy is spent on what the lunchbox...
What will you hand out to the trick or treaters this Halloween?
What will you hand out to the trick or treaters this Halloween? Each year Halloween seems to gain popularity here in Australia. Families start planning their costumes and itinerary weeks out from the event. Most likely due to all the marketing in...