Just What are They Trying to Hide?!
Whether or not you agree with me that MSG is evil, ya gotta admit it seems a little fishy when you find it in so many of our favorite foods. While there's no hard evidence yet that MSG actually causes obesity or neurological disorders in humans (just mice), there's enough discussion on the matter to make me stay away from foods containing MSG. It just seems a little sneaky to me. What nasty tasting ingredients are they trying to hide under all that flavor enhancer? Scary! Here's some information I've collected on the subject.
Now with Plexo!: Vote for the MSG-laiden foods that have disapointed you the most. What product were you most surprised to see MSG in? Give it a vote and let us know it's an offender!
Ooo, I Have a Headache!
a/k/a "The Chinese Restaurant Syndrome"
- burning sensation in the back of the neck, forearms and chest
- numbness in the back of the neck, radiating to the arms and back
- tingling, warmth and weakness in the face, temples, upper back, neck and arms
- facial pressure or tightness
- chest pain
- headache
- nausea
- rapid heartbeat
- weak pulse
- violent dreams
- bronchospasm (difficulty breathing) in MSG-intolerant people with asthma
- drowsiness
- weakness
Linkage on MSG
Information from both extremes, the good guys and the bad guys!
- Wikipedia: Monosodium glutamate
- Always a great source, here's Wikipedia's entry on MSG.
- FDA and MSG
- A surprisingly balanced report! Just as good as Wiki's article.
- NoMSG: Why MSG is Harmful
- My favorite "MSG is Evil" site. Here's a snippet from the home page: Its ever-expanding use by the food industry causes great concern in the medical profession because MSG overstimulates brain cell activity. It is neither a necessary additive, nor a harmless flavor enhancer like common table salt. MSG actually tricks your brain into thinking the food you are eating tastes good. Manufacturers can therefore use inferior ingredients to make a mediocre product seem tastier. Higher profits and low-quality products of little nutritional value prevail at the expense of consumer health.
- Truth in Labeling
- I just love these sorts of "Times New Roman" websites that are chock full of information and bad web design. Why can't the revolutionaries ever find someone with skills to make their sites for them?! Sigh.
- Truth in Labeling: Where is MSG Hidden?
- Once you read this page, you'll never be able to regain your innocence again. Over 40 food ingredients besides "monosodium glutamate" contain processed free glutamic acid (MSG). But each one according to the FDA must be called by its own, unique, "common or usual name." So that means there's MSG all over the place. Find out some of the common names here.
- MSG Facts
- "MSG Propaganda" seems to me to be a more fitting title for this website. As you can see, there's not that much information or facts listed here. And The page on "MSG Benefits: Improving Taste Means Improving Nutrition" just scares me. Besides, it's just a little to glossy and pretty for me to buy into it. Who's running this site anyway? Ah! "The Glutamate Association, established in 1977, is an association of manufacturers, national marketers, and processed food users of glutamic acid and its salts, principally the flavor enhancer, monosodium glutamate (MSG)." That explains it.
Surprizes on the Back of the Box
That Good 'ol Down-Home Flavor--MSG!
I think we all know that Ramen Noodles are bad for you. But several traditional favorites, like the items listed below, are loaded with MSG, too. Thankfully, there are also usually healthier alternatives located next to them on the shelf, so be a smart shopper and check them out!
Betty Crocker Mashed Potatoes
In my potatoes, too? I guess I'll have to make it from scratch...2 points
Rice-a-Roni Chicken & Mushroom
In the rice, too? Yup! Best to stick with Uncle Ben's. I haven't seen any MSG on the labels I've read.2 points
Stove Top Stuffing
Instead this MSG-laden dish, look for a more traditional Thanksgiving stuffing mix. I've found those to be made with more natural ingredients.1 point
Hamburger Helper
So sad. But true. Another product that's better to make from scratch!1 point
Old El Paso Seasoning
Watch out for your Mexican favorites! Did you know most taco seasonings also have MSG in them, too?!1 point
Tammy's Taco Meat Seasoning
For a Genuine Down-Home Flavor
Make your own taco meat seasoning at home with some help from Tammy's Recipes:Tammy's Taco Meat Seasoning
(part of Tammy's Taco Salad recipe)
2 pounds ground chuck or ground round
2 large onions, chopped
2 green bell peppers, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 Tablespoon chili powder
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 Tablespoon cumin
Tapatio hot sauce, to taste
Fry meat with onion, bell pepper and garlic. Drain grease, and then stir in chili powder, pepper, salt, cumin and Tapatio.
Yum! Sounds delicious, Tammy! Thanks for sharing.
No Crackers for My Soup, Please
What is safe anymore?!
If you are able to find yourself a chicken broth that's MSG-free and a seasoning that comes from real herbs and spices, then you might consider making some homemade Chicken Noodle Soup. But whatever you do, don't buy it from the big guys! And watch out for the the MSG in your crackers, too.
Campbell's Goldfish Pasta with Meatballs
Campbell's? And Progresso?! Oh, my! And did you also know that Goldfish also have MSG in them? How many kiddies eat those everyday?2 points
Cheddar Jack Cheez-Its
Flavored Cheez-its have MSG! And stay away from the "Chicken in a Biscuit" crackers as well.2 points
Vigo Chicken Base
Yup. Chicken Soup Base. And Swanson's Broths, too! Unless you buy the "Natural Goodness" Chicken Broth.1 point
Reese Homestyle Ranch Croutons
Aren't salads supposed to be good for you? Ack! And don't even get me started on Kraft and Wish-Bone dressings... they have MSG, too!1 point
Knorr Aromat All Purpose Seasoning
And that's why I love Mrs. Dash and all her products. No MSG. Just herbs and spices!1 point
Make your Own Cream-based Soup!
Chuck the MSG with a little White Sauce Magic
With a special thank you to Betty Crocker, my long time friend. Here is a way to make your own "can 'o soup" that's MSG-free to add to those yummy casserole recipes that call for one. I like to use this sauce for "soup" in my Farmhouse Chicken recipe.Betty's White Sauce
2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons flour
1 cup milk
salt, pepper and spices to taste
Heat butter in a saucepan over medium heat until melted. Stir in flour. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until mixture is smooth and bubbly; about one minute. Remove from heat. Stir in milk. Heat to boiling, stirring constantly. Boil and stir one minute.
To make your own soup, just add some sautéed celery, mushrooms or cooked chicken to the mix. Then add your homemade soup to your recipe in place of the canned variety.
Gee, No Wonder I Love it!
Are they afraid we won't like it without MSG?
Sad but true, these favorites all have MSG listed in their ingredients. Boo hoo! "Betcha can't eat just one" just took on a whole new meaning.
Pringles Potato Crisps
Not only Pringles, but also Doritos and Lays have MSG in them, too. And what ever you do, don't dip your Ranch Wheat Thins in you Kraft Ranch Dip!2 points
Gardettos Pretzel Mix
Try Snyder's of Hanover's Honey Mustard & Onion Pretzel Pieces instead. They're MSG-free!1 point
Pop Secret Popcorn, White Cheddar
Why?! Oh, why? Isn't popcorn already bad enough for ya?!1 point
Chex Mix
This was the first product I ever knew had MSG in it. It would give my friend headaches. Thankfully, you can make your own at home without MSG in it.1 point
Make Your Own Chex Mix
Homemade Chex Party Mix6 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce (check for MSG!)
1 1/2 teaspoons seasoned salt (check for MSG!)
3/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
3 cups Corn Chex cereal
3 cups Rice Chex cereal
3 cups Wheat Chex cereal
1 cup mixed nuts
1 cup bite-size pretzels
1 cup bite-size bagel chips
Preheat oven to 250°F. In a large roasting pan, melt butter in oven. Stir in seasonings. Gradually stir in creal until evenly coated. Bake 1 hour, stirring every 15 minutes. Store in airtight container. Makes 24 servings, 1/2 cup each.
What would you like to see?
Are there other MSG-free recipes you'd like to see listed here? Let me know and I can track them down. Together, we can build one beautiful lens!
(NOTE: This is not the guest book! The guest book is below.)
The topic of this lens is geared more towards MSG more than the 40 other ingredients that contain MSG or were made with MSG. So, if you know that Chex has MSG hidden in it, avoid it! I have the strongest reaction to MSG itself; I've never noticed a reaction from autolyzed yeast, maltodextrin, sodium caseinate, etc. so I'm not reporting on those--just MSG labeled as MSG.
Posted September 18, 2008
Can you please tell me what brand of Corn Chex, Rice Chex and Wheat Chex you are using that don't contain MSG? Also, pretzels and bagel chips? Every brand I've looked at contain MSG (hidden of course).
Thank you so much!!!
Kim
Posted September 18, 2008
I love your cream of ___ soup recipe. Thanks for that!
Chex has barley malt (right? I don't have a box in front of me, but I think that's the standard in cereals) so DH just avoids Chex Mix completely. Sad though :(
If you want a couple restaurants that are almost completely clean: Outback Steakhouse, and Chuck E. Cheese!! Just avoid the salad dressings. Those are another "almost always horrible" category.
It's sad when we have to avoid most commercial salsas, tortilla shells...things that seem pretty "natural!"
Oh, answering your question at the top of the page: the most surprising thing to give DH an MSG-reaction? Kashi cereal. I don't remember which one, but we just won't buy them at all now.
Posted August 04, 2008
Make it Good--Make it from Scratch!
Many people are wondering "Just where can I find a good recipe that doesn't include MSG?" Well, I would highly suggest you check out these links for the best in MSG-free homemade recipes.
Food @ MarthaStewart.com
Use the recipe finder to find free and easy recipes including desserts, cakes, cookies, chicken, fish, vegetarian, salads, and pasta recipes.0 points
Recipes from RealSimple.com
Find quick, delicious, easy-to-prepare recipes from Real Simple magazine. Browse the more than 1,000 free recipes for chicken, beef, or salmon; Mexica...0 points
AllRecipes.com
Looking for recipes? You've come to the right place. Allrecipes has more than 40,000 free recipes--all created, tested, reviewed and approved by home...0 points
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The Guestbook
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I have been through test after test, and no Doc can figure out why I'm having dizzy spells, almost faint, after then feel sick to my stomache...I first thought maybe it was in the inner ear, but I think it might just be the MSG....I like your thoughts, and guess I will just have to eat all homemade plus fresh vegs, and fruit
Posted September 07, 2008
Wonderful article,
thanks for informing people
Posted August 31, 2008
Thank you for suggesting white sacue as a substitute for creamed soups. We have just figured out in the last couple months that MSG was the main culprit in my 17 year-old son's migraines. He he been migraine free ever since I got it all out of the house! But I have been struggling to find replacements for some basic ingredients (like creamed soup) in many of our family's recipes. Thanks again!
Posted August 26, 2008
