Have you ever wondered how the food you eat affects your mood? Or why your child might be struggling with behaviour, sleep, or emotional regulation?

In this conversation, I sit down with Joanne Ling, co-founder of Additive Free Lifestyle, to explore the connection between food additives, gut health, mental health, and children’s behaviour.

Jo’s journey began from a deeply personal place - she was a mum who felt desperate to help her daughter, who was experiencing behavioural challenges she couldn’t make sense of. When traditional advice wasn’t bringing answers, Jo started looking into food additives… and what she discovered changed everything. Small changes in what her daughter was eating led to big improvements in mood, behaviour, and overall well-being.

We talk about the real behavioural concerns so many parents are facing: hyperactivity, emotional regulation issues, trouble concentrating, sleep disturbances, and big feelings that seem out of nowhere.

And what shocked me most?

It doesn’t have to be complicated.

Jo breaks down simple, realistic swap-outs anyone can begin with - you don’t need to overhaul your entire pantry or spend hours reading labels. Even changing a few products can make a noticeable difference.

We also dive into the Additive Free Lifestyle app, created by Jo and her sister Tracy, which helps families by:

• ​Scanning products to instantly identify additives
• ​Showing which additives are linked to behavioural or mood-related issues
• ​Offering research-based education, articles, and expert interviews
• ​Providing practical alternatives, recipes and guidance
• ​Hosting their own podcast with specialists in gut health, behaviour, and nutrition

Everything they teach is backed by research and designed to reduce overwhelm - especially for parents who just want to understand what’s going into their child’s body.

This conversation will leave you feeling supported, informed, and hopeful… because Jo’s story shows that sometimes the smallest changes can have the biggest impact.

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Guest: @joanne__ling @additivefreelifestyle

 Links & Resources:

Find all links relevant to Additive Free Lifestyle here

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Thank you for tuning in - and as always, remember to keep showing up for yourself. 

(00:00) Introduction 

(02:05) Jo’s personal story

(05:40) Additive 102 - Tartrazine 

(08:09) ADHD 

(10:36) Chronic illness 

(12:18) where to start, some popular product swap recommendations; colours, 160b

(16:38) Additive Free Lifestyle app

(19:20) Additive Free Made Easy Course

(21:07) Misleading marketing traps

(22:43) MSG 635 - mono sodium glutamate & glutamates. Brain fog and restless legs.

(25:01) Lunchbox easy swaps

(27:12) Raiding Carmen’s pantry

(31:43) Fuelling for sport

(35:35) Is it possible to do additive free on a budget? 

(37:04) Cook books

(40:05) Interviews with health experts; a brain scan before and after MSG & gut health. 

(42:04) Water filtration system (listener question)

(45:55) Cleaning products. Endocrine disrupters; hormones; fragrances 

(49:46) Final summary of easy steps

(50:52) Three feel good, life changing stories from going additive free.