MSG – What you Need to Know

What is MSG anyway?

I know it’s in Chinese Food.  I hear it can give people headaches, migraines even… but what exactly is it??  Monosodium Glutamate, better known as MSG, is a form of concentrated salt added to foods to enhance the flavor.

This salt version of glutamic acid is an amino acid the body can produce on its own, but the MSG we find on store shelves is  processed and comes from fermented sugar beets.  It occurs naturally in foods such as mushrooms, aged Parmesan cheese and fermented soybean products like soy sauce.

Glutamic acid belongs to a broad category of compounds called glutamates, which are the source of a flavor called umami.  MSG was invented by isolating the glutamic acid in the seaweed used in making the traditional Japanese broth.

And while glutamates occur naturally in everything from meat and milk to corn and wheat, MSG is strictly a food additive!!!!!

According to Truthinlabeling.com, “MSG can be used (and hidden) in processed foods, dietary supplements, cosmetics, personal care products, pharmaceuticals, and the food that is given to pets and other animals.

It can be used in waxes applied to FRESH FRUITS AND VEGETABLES!!!.  It can be used as ingredients in pesticides, fungicides, fertilizers, and plant growth enhancers — remaining in the edible portion of the plant or on the edible portion of the plant when its leaves, fruits, nuts, grains, seeds, and other edible parts are brought to market.”

Also included on that list were low fat and no fat milk products, protein powders and protein drinks, even some soaps and shampoos and children’s MEDICATIONS!

Foods which contain the largest doses of MSG are: 

• corn chips,
• many soups,
• Chinese food,
• RANCH DRESSING!,
• sausages,
• hot dogs,
• barbecued meats,
• smoked meats,
• processed deli meats,
• sauces,
• taco  seasoning,
• French onion dip and
• dried dip mixes

But the  WORST offender, according to msgtruth.org is KFC!  Oh how I used to LOVE my KFC, just ask my husband!!  I craved it all through my 1st pregnancy.

Msgtruth.org goes on to say any foods at a restaurant that include chicken, Parmesan cheese, soups, Cesar dressings should be avoided as they too may contain MSG.

Since MSG has become quite reputable for giving people headaches and migraines, you know what the ever sneaky food industry is doing?  They are coming up with NEW names for MSG.

Some of them include:  autolyzed yeast, yeast extract, maltodextrin, hydrolyzed protein, sodium  caseinate, mono-potassium glutamate, and textured protein.  

Please ALWAYS look at the labels of the products you are buying (or won’t be buying once you become UnProcessed) for these fake names and know they are really MSG in hiding!

Ingredients ALWAYS containing MSG:

• Any “Hydrolyzed Protein”
• Autolyzed Yeast
• Calcium Caseinate
• Gelatin
• Glutamate
• Glutamic Acid
• Hydrolyzed Corn Gluten
• Monopottassium Glutamate Monosodium Glutamate
• Natruium Glutamate
• Sodium Caseinate
• Textured Protein
• Yeast Extract
• Yeast Nutrient

Ingredients OFTEN containing MSG:

• Any “flavors” or “flavoring”
• Anything “enzyme modified”
• Anything “protein fortified”
• Anything “ultra-pasteurized”
• Anything containing “enzymes”
• Anything fermented
• Barley Malt
• Bouillon and Broth
• Carrageenan
• Citric Acid

I hope this list helps you navigate the supermarket better and recognize the ways manufacturers are putting preservatives in your food.