A Review of Food Additives Kids Should Avoid with Dr. Jordi Smith, A Pediatric Naturopath

Ever wondered what's hiding in your family's food that might be causing tummy troubles such as constipation in your kids? The culprits might be found right in aisles of your favorite grocery store, where many of the processed, packaged foods include additives that may impact you and your kid’s digestive health. In today's convenience-driven food culture, it's common to find more additives or preservatives in packaged foods because they can extend the shelf life of food products. However, this means it’s also essential to uncover the often overlooked impact of food additives on our kid’s gut health. As the evidence for supporting gut health in kids continues to grow, we as parents need to better understand potentially harmful ingredients in processed foods to reduce the risk for gastrointestinal problems in our kiddos. In this article, I’m sharing my insights as a Naturopathic Pediatrician on the food additives you should avoid, their potential effects, and what you can choose instead to help you make better choices for your child's digestive well-being.

Emulsifiers / Polysorbates

Emulsifiers such as polysorbates are common additives found in a wide range of processed foods. Other common names might include:

• Soy Lecithin

• Diglycerides

• Carrageenan

• Guar Gum

Emulsifiers serve to improve the texture and shelf life of food products. While they play a valuable role in food production and preservation, research suggests that a high intake of emulsifiers can have adverse effects on the gastrointestinal system [6]. Emulsifiers can potentially disrupt the mucosal lining of the intestines, which is essential for nutrient absorption and maintaining a healthy gut barrier. This disruption can lead to inflammation and increased permeability of the gut lining, a condition often referred to as "leaky gut." Emulsifiers may also interfere with the composition of the gut microbiota, potentially promoting the growth of harmful bacteria and diminishing the population of beneficial ones. For kids with conditions like Crohn's disease, these effects can be particularly troublesome, exacerbating their gastrointestinal symptoms [1]. Chronic gut inflammation can contribute to more severe gut issues if left untreated.

Begin Health Expert Tip 

Emulsifiers are commonly found in salad dressings, ice creams, sauces, and even some chocolates. While consuming in small amounts every once in a while most likely won’t affect your little one’s too much, it’s best to look for less processed options when you can. Try blending your own salad dressings or opt for more natural options without emulsifiers when reviewing the ingredients on food labels.

Artificial Sweeteners

Summary

The world of food additives can be confusing at first, but with a little knowledge and label detective work, you'll be able to navigate the grocery aisles to make the best food choices for your family. Understanding how to look for these ingredients and which swaps to make can ultimately help reduce the risk for any potential digestive disturbances in your little ones.

• Emulsifiers / Polysorbates
• Commonly found in ice creams, salad dressings, creamy sauces. Examples include caesar salad dressing, mayonnaise, and alfredo pasta sauce.
• Associated with intestinal inflammation in kids.
• Opt instead for homemade versions or less processed versions without emulsifiers.
• Artificial Sweetener
• Commonly found in “sugar-free” or low-calorie “diet” products, such as diet soda, sugar-free gums/ candies, sugar-free cookies, flavored instant oatmeals. Examples include Diet Coke, Double-Bubble Gum, Low Sugar Quaker Maple & Sugar Instant Oatmeal.
• Linked to disturbances in the gut microbiome and an increased risk of inflammatory bowel disease.
• Opt instead for natural sweeteners such as monk fruit, honey, or maple syrup in moderation.
• Food Dyes
• Commonly found in candies, cereals, and sweetened beverages. Examples include Fruity Pebbles, M&M’s Chocolate Candies, Mountain Dew.
• Certain dyes like Red 40 or Yellow 5 may disrupt gut bacteria and contribute to digestive disturbances.

• Opt instead for natural color sources derived from fruits, vegetables, and spices.