Content

• To step
• Method 1 of 3: Avoid MSG in everyday life
• Method 2 of 3: Avoid MSG in the supermarket
• Method 3 of 3: Avoid MSG when dining out
• Warnings

Monosodium Glutamate (MSG) is a flavor enhancer widely used in Asian foods and commercial food products. Studies have shown that MSG can cause short and long-term health problems such as headaches, nausea, fatigue, pancreas disorders, ADHD and even obesity. MSG doesn't affect some people, but others are particularly sensitive to it. To avoid ingesting MSG, you will need to be proactive at restaurants and read labels carefully.

To step

Method 1 of 3: Avoid MSG in everyday life

1. Avoid products that may contain MSG. Some cosmetics, soaps, shampoos and hair conditioners may contain MSG if the ingredients contain the words "hydrolyzed", "proteins" or "amino acids".
   • Certain medications, vitamins and nutritional supplements contain MSG as a binder and filler. If in doubt, contact a pharmacist.
2. Eat fresh, natural food. MSG is found in almost all processed foods. This means that when you buy prepackaged foods, you will more than likely end up with MSG in your food. Buy fresh fruits and vegetables, and only use regular seasonings, such as salt and pepper.
   • Instead of flavor salts and prepackaged seasonings, use fresh spices and herbs to flavor your food.
3. Cook yourself. MSG is in almost all prepackaged foods, frozen meals, and restaurant foods. Start cooking with fresh ingredients, so that you have control over what you eat.
   • Buy fresh, natural ingredients, rather than canned or processed food.
4. If you are highly sensitive to MSG, avoid commonly used foods that contain small amounts of MSG. These foods include low-fat or fat-free foods, fortified foods, vitamin-fortified foods, corn starch, modified starch, glucose syrup, lipolized butterfat, dextrose, brown rice syrup, rice syrup, powdered milk or skimmed milk.

Method 2 of 3: Avoid MSG in the supermarket

1. Read the labels. Do not rely on the "no MSG" label on the label. MSG is indicated on a label in many different ways. Learn about other ways food manufacturers report MSG. Although a product may not contain MSG, that does not mean it is MSG-free. There are other ways that MSG can get into your food. Note the following ingredients:
   • Processes free glutamic acid, monosodium glutamate
   • Calcium Glutamate, Monopotassium Glutamate, Magnesium Glutamate, Monoammonium Glutamate, Sodium Glutamate
   • Glutamic Acid
   • Sodium caseinate, calcium caseinate
   • Yeast extract, autolyzed yeast
   • Whey protein concentrate
   • Textured protein, vegetable protein extract
   • Hydrolysed products, including hydrolysed protein or vegetable broth.
   • The U.S. Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority requires that sources of hydrolyzed protein must be listed on ingredient labels. For example, if a product contains unprocessed tomato or wheat, they can be referred to as "tomatoes" or "wheat". If the ingredients state "tomato protein" or "hydrolyzed wheat protein" then the product contains MSG.
2. Watch out for salty snacks. Many processed salty snacks contain MSG. Be cautious about buying seasoned chips, crackers, or nuts.
   • Products such as Doritos, Cheetos and just about all flavored chips contain MSG.
3. Avoid cold cuts. Meat products almost always contain MSG. Chicken products and sausage contain MSG.
4. Be cautious with dressings. Ranch dressings almost always contain MSG, but so do most other salad dressings. Also pay attention to vegetable dips.
   • Look out for soy sauce, Parmesan cheese, gravy, and dips.
5. Watch out for broths and soups. It is very likely that both broths and soups contain MSG. Even the well-known soup brands do this in their tins.

Method 3 of 3: Avoid MSG when dining out

1. Tell the staff you want food without MSG. Today, more and more restaurants are moving away from using MSG in their kitchen. It's still a good idea to ask about it and insist that MSG is not used in your dishes.
2. Avoid certain foods when you eat out. If you want to eat somewhere but want to avoid MSG, know which foods to avoid. Foods that usually contain MSG are vegetable broths, breads, dressings, soy products, sweeteners and flavors.
3. Beware of fast food. Most fast food places, such as McDonalds, Burger King, KFC, and Pizza Hut all put MSG in their food. If you're curious about which items contain MSG, head over to the restaurant's website and check out their ingredient list.

Warnings

• Vegetables, grains and fruits may contain MSG because growers sometimes spray their produce with a crop protection product that contains free glutamic acid to increase yield. There is no way to find out if crops contain MSG except to have it tested. Wash fruits and vegetables thoroughly before eating them.
• Read the labels on baby food carefully, as some types of formula can contain MSG.