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 ate it pregnant too. I craved it.. if I only knew….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. If you have a chance I highly recommend clicking the link to msgtruth.org and see the endless list of foods at the bottom which contain MSG!!
//www.msgtruth.org/avoid.htm
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 “Un”Processed) 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
RESOURCES:
//americannutritionassociation.org/newsletter/review-excitotoxins-taste-kills
Wondering which foods have MSG and what this substance is? Monosodium glutamate (MSG) isn’t just found in low quality Chinese food, it’s actually a common way to create that umami flavor cheaply in many convenience and processed foods. In fact, it’s been used to enhance the flavor of foods for over 100 years.
First invented by the Japanese biochemist Kikunae Ikeda in 1908, it was produced by a bacterial fermentation process similar to the production of yogurt. According to the FDA, it’s been deemed safe.
Read about these other names for MSG
What the FDA says about foods that contain MSG
“FDA considers the addition of MSG to foods to be “generally recognized as safe” (GRAS). Although many people identify themselves as sensitive to MSG, in studies with such individuals given MSG or a placebo, scientists have not been able to consistently trigger reactions.”
But even still, many people report sensitivities, most commonly headaches, chest pain, facial numbness, sweating, and swelling.
MSG doesn’t have any flavor on its own but when added to foods it blends and balances flavor. It adds a salty component with much less sodium. Many of the foods that contain MSG may surprise you.
What is MSG found in?
Here are some foods that you should look out for at the grocery store and in chain restaurants:
1. Doritos
2. KFC Fried Chicken
3. Pringles
4. Hidden Valley Ranch
5. Seaweed Salad
6. Cheetos
7. Boars Head Cold Cuts
8. Parmesan Cheese
9. Gravy
10. Protein Powders
11. Pepperoni
12. Popcorn
13. Potato Chips
Notice if you’ve had any of the reactions above and if so, read food ingredient labels and begin to avoid MSG, which is most commonly found in processed foods. But MSG can also occur naturally in foods.
Read more about harmful additives in salad dressing
According to the FDA:
MSG occurs naturally in ingredients such as hydrolyzed vegetable protein, autolyzed yeast, hydrolyzed yeast, yeast extract, soy extracts, and protein isolate, as well as in tomatoes and cheeses. While FDA requires that these products be listed on the ingredient panel, the agency does not require the label to also specify that they naturally contain MSG. However, foods with any ingredient that naturally contains MSG cannot claim “No MSG” or “No added MSG” on their packaging. MSG also cannot be listed as “spices and flavoring.”
So if you were wondering why you might still be having a reaction to MSG, even though you seemed to have cut it out, this is why.
[Editor's Note: If you want to eliminate unhealthy ingredients and chemical additives from your diet for good, click here to sign up for a Naturally Savvy Get Healthy Challenge.]
Image: Becky Stern
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Foods always contain monosodium glutamate (MSG) if any of these are in the ingredients list:
- Autolyzed plant protein
- Autolyzed yeast
- Calcium caseinate
- Gelatin
- Glutamate
- Glutamic acid
- Hydrolyzed plant protein
- Hydrolyzed vegetable protein
- Monopotassium glutamate
- MSG
- Sodium caseinate
- Textured protein
- Yeast extract
- Yeast food or nutrient
- Annatto
- Barley malt
- Boullon
- Broth
- Caramel flavoring (coloring)
- Carrageenan
- Citric acid (when processed from corn)
- Corn syrup and corn syrup solids (partly depends upon process used)
- Cornstarch
- Dough conditioners
- Dry milk solids
- Enriched
- Flavoring seasonings (most assume this means salt and pepper or herbs and spices, which it sometimes is)
- Flowing agents
- Gums
- Lipolyzed butter fat
- Low or no fat items
- Malt extract or flavoring
- Malted barley (flavor)
- Maltodextrin
- Milk powder
- Modified food (or corn) starch
- Natural chicken
- Pectin
- Protein-fortified anything
- Protein fortified milk
- Rice or brown rice, syrup
- Soy protein
- Soy protein isolate or concentrate
- Soy sauce or concentrate
- Soy sauce or extract
- Spice
- Stock
- Ultra-pasteurized anything
- Vitamin enriched
- Whey protein isolate
Important: This content reflects information from various individuals and organizations and may offer alternative or opposing points of view. It should not be used for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. As always, you should consult with your healthcare provider about your specific health needs.