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MSG is Evil! - Monosodium Glutamate Hiding in Our Food

1 - I can do better 2 - Jury's out 3 - Pretty darn good 4 - Splendiferous 5 - Awesometastic (by 20 people)   Your rating: 1 - I can do better 2 - Jury's out 3 - Pretty darn good 4 - Splendiferous 5 - Awesometastic

Ranked #221 in Food, #4983 overall

Rated G. (Control what you see)

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"

Many people have discovered that they have sensitivities to MSG, which may include one or more of the following symptoms. Scary!
  • 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!

I find it funny (well, not really, but you know what I mean) that the only site that is pro-MSG is the one run by the people who are putting it in our food. Read on for more than you ever wanted to know about the MSG epidemic.
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

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

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

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

Hamburger Helper

So sad. But true. Another product that's better to make from scratch!1 point

Old El Paso Seasoning

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 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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Pop Secret Popcorn, White Cheddar

Why?! Oh, why? Isn't popcorn already bad enough for ya?!1 point

Planters Trail Mix

Planters Trail Mix

I guess I'll just stick to plain 'ol nuts, thanks.1 point

Chex Mix

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 Mix

6 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.)

webseitler

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

kim

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

Charlene

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

 
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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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More Lenses on Food 

Here are a few other lenses I've made on food-related topics that may be of interest to you. Enjoy!

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So, are you angry now? Leave me a comment and tell me all about it!

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Gloria

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

John Erb

Wonderful article,

thanks for informing people

Posted August 31, 2008

Tammie

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

 
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