Karen’s Free Health and Fitness Tips

Are you allergic to MSG? If you have a MSG allergy, you need to understand what it is and what foods might contain MSG. MSG is used to add to the flavor of foods or to bring out the taste of the food more. Chinese foods usually contain this taste enhancer as well as some American foods. In the grocery store you may have noticed on the front of some products they advertise, “Contains no MSG”. This is vital information for MSG allergy sufferers. One such food product that advertises no MSG is a dry mix for a Ranch Dressing, it contains no MSG enhancer and is safe for a MSG allergy sufferer.

Taken in large doses MSG can cause a feeling of warmth, sweating, headaches and chest pains. Moderate amounts of MSG may not cause any severe symptoms although you still need to refrain from eating foods that contain the additive. Living with an MSG allergy is not as easy as one would think. Foods such as canned soups and other popular foods contain the additive. It enhances the flavor of the foods and many manufactures are using this to add flavor to the product. Learning what foods contain MSG and the foods that do not is tough.

You will have to look at labels, do some research online and find the foods that do not contain this flavor enhancer. The reason for the intense research is because foods that contain MSG have to place it on the label, but if that food is combined with another food in a mixture, it does not have to be disclosed. If you suffer from MSG allergies, you should also refrain from eating foods containing sulfites and aspartame. Foods such as gum, candy and some drinks contain MSG without your knowledge.

Living with an MSG allergy is not going to be easy but with the proper knowledge and understanding about the additive will help you find foods that will not cause an allergic reaction. Staying away from flavorings such as soy sauce and beef, pork, chicken flavorings as well as malt flavorings and broths can help keep you free from an allergic reaction after eating. Food allergies and airborne allergies might require skin test or blood tests to determine the cause of the allergy, but a detailed report of what you eat and do are also important to narrow it down to a few things.

By: Willhelm Williams

About the Author: