What foods are high in MSG?
Condiments like ketchup, mayonnaise, barbecue sauce, soy sauce, mustard, and salad dressings have been known to contain MSG to boost flavor. Many types of chips and related snacks include MSG to enhance the salty, savory flavors that they're known for.
“A dish that serves four to six people, or a pound of meat, needs 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon of monosodium glutamate,” wrote Danilo Alfaro in the Spruce Eats. For 1 quart of liquid, Chiou recommends 1/32 teaspoon — less than what many consider even a “pinch” — whereas Kenji López-Alt in the Takeout suggests 1/2 teaspoon.
Foods that are typically thought of as high in free glutamate include meat, fish, seafood, fermented sauces, aged cheeses, and some fruits, vegetables, and nuts.
The nutritionist suggests to keep the intake of MSG to 0.55gm per day and to not exceed that limit.
Since MSG is pretty much found in all prepackaged food products, the only sure way of avoiding them is by making everything from unprocessed ingredients. Cook your own food rather than dining out or purchasing frozen meals. Buy your ingredients in their raw, natural state rather than processed, canned or vacuum packed.
In fact, MSG can be derived from plants and vegetables, typically corn and beets and added to many common food products such as bouillon cubes, processed meats, and more.
An excessive consumption of MSG can cause a "Chinese Restaurant Syndrome" and gastritis, gastric and duodenal ulcers. Therefore, the maximum dose of MSG should be reconsidered taking into account its influence on the secretory capacity of the stomach.
Although research is mixed on how MSG may affect overall health, it's clear that consuming high doses of 3 grams or higher of MSG per day is likely to lead to adverse side effects, including headache and increased blood pressure ( 24 ).
These symptoms of MSG sensitivity are generally temporary and can appear about 20 minutes after eating MSG and last for about two hours. If you suffer from this sensitivity, it is best to avoid MSG and glutamate.
Chips and Other Snacks
Pringles and Doritos are just a few examples of chips that contain MSG. MSG enhances the savory and contrasting flavors of many chips.
Do tomatoes have MSG in them?
Monosodium glutamate is found naturally in tomatoes, cheese and other foods. MSG is used in the foodindustry as a flavor enhancer with an umami taste that intensifies the meaty, savory flavor of food, as naturally occurring glutamate does in foods such as stews and meat soups.
- Headache.
- Flushing.
- Sweating.
- Face pressure or tightness.
- Lack of feeling (numbness), tingling or burning in the face, neck and other areas.
- Quick, fluttering heartbeats.
- Chest pain.
- Feeling sick (nausea)
The new chicken sandwiches at McDonald's, Popeyes, and Chick-fil-A all contain the MSG flavor enhancement chemical. Experts say MSG can enhance the so-called umami flavor of a food. The ingredient is found in everything from Chinese food and pizza to prepackaged sandwiches and table sauces.
Here's the good news: MSG contains two-thirds less the amount of sodium compared to table salt, so if you're looking to lower your sodium intake, reaching for MSG to flavor your food can help you eat less sodium.
Some human studies have linked excessive MSG intake with weight gain and other serious weight-related issues. Other studies, some of which have been disputed, have found that MSG raised blood pressure and contributed to metabolic problems.
McDonald's doesn't use MSG in its food that is on the national menu, and there are no updates from the company yet on whether the Crispy Chicken Sandwiches will be added to the menu permanently. McDonald's has been making strides to use purer ingredients in its food.