Surprising Foods That Contain MSG

You’ll Never Guess What Contains MSG

Are you one of the thousands of people in America waking up to the dangers of MSG and trying to avoid it?  What if you have no idea you are eating MSG because it isn’t listed by name on the label?  There are hundreds of food items hiding MSG.  The only way to truly avoid MSG, is to know the food industry’s hiding “secrets”.

What is MSG?

MSG (monosodium glutamate) is the sodium salt of glutamic acid. Glutamic acid (glutamate) is an amino acid abundant in animal and plant protein. MSG was discovered in Japan in 1908. Prior to that,  the Japanese had used seaweed as a flavor enhancer without realizing that the flavor-enhancing component of the seaweed was an amino acid called “glutamic acid”.  The first MSG was produced by extracting glutamic acid from seaweed.  MSG is glutamic acid that has been produced outside of nature.  It is a neurotoxin (a poison that acts on the nervous system) and you do not want to ingest it.

MSG has over 50 different names.  Some of the more common ones include hydrolyzed protein, autolyzed yeast extract, sodium caseinate and hydrolyzed vegetable protein.

In young children, MSG can cause brain damage, learning and behavior disorders, endocrine imbalances and obesity.  Other  adverse reactions that can affect anyone include, chest pain, heart beating rapidly, swelling, headaches, depression, fatigue, disorientation, numbness, tingling, breathing difficulties and nausea.

MSG is in This ????

Parmesan Cheese – All Parmesan cheese contains glutamate because of the process to make it.  The glutamate in the cheese forms a chemical bond with the sodium and water in the cheese and becomes MSG.

Ultra Pasteurized Dairy Products – This includes cheese, cream, half and half  with carrageenan added

Low or No Fat Dairy Products – These milk products often contain milk solids that contain MSG.

Protein Powders – All forms of whey protein, soy protein, or just the world “protein” contain MSG

Canned Tuna – Beware of tuna in “broth”

Gelatin

Other glutamates – like calcium or magnesium

Yeast – Various forms of yeast like yeast extract, tortula yeast, yeast food, autolyzed yeast, brewers yeast

Beware Of –

Fast food restaurants – KFC is the most notorious.  Almost all of their food contains MSG.  Most fast food restaurants have some form of MSG in their menu items.  This also goes for many of the chain “family” style restaurants.

Seasonings & Flavorings – Foods with either of these listed often contain MSG such as sauces, soups,dressings, broth or bouillon

The variety of foods that contain MSG is almost unlimited.  Avoid buying packaged casseroles, pizzas, soups, sandwiches, dipping sauces, and dressings.  Even pre-packaged food found in health food stores may contain MSG.  The only guarantee you won’t be eating MSG is if you make the food yourself.   So get in the kitchen and get cooking.  Yes, you’re busy.  I know.  But being sick is a lot more time consuming, and a lot less fun.

To your Health!

Peter Gillham

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