e4FAQMSG

Q: IS IT TRUE THAT MSG CAN SET OFF A CARB BINGE? CAN’T I AVOID IT BY READING THE INGREDIENTS LIST?

A: Monosodium Glutamate (MSG) is added to foods to “enhance” the flavor. It does this by stimulating your brain to think that the food tastes better (even if it does not). MSG it so powerful that it literally kills brain cells (and is classified as a “neurotoxin.” Many carb addicts seem to be exceptionally sensitive to MSG in all it’s forms. After consuming food that contains MSG, carb addicts often find themselves unable to control their cravings and unable to stop the binge-eating cycle.

Food manufacturers have found clever ways to include MSG in the ingredients list (as they are required by law) without actually naming it as such.

MSG or free glutamates may be found in any food that contains the following phrases, including “natural flavors”:

enzyme modified,                            hydroydrolyzed vegetable,
anything fermented,                        hydroydrolyzed protein,
anything protein fortified,              malt extract maltodextrin,
anything ultra pasteurized,            natural flavors,
autolyzed yeast,                               pectin,
barley malt,                                      plant protein extract,
broth,                                                potassium glutamate,

bouillon,                                            sodium caseinate,
calcium caseinate,                            soy protein,
carrageen,                                        soy sauce,
flavoring,                                          stock,
natural flavoring,                            textured protein,
gelatin,                                               whey protein,
hydrolyzed oat flour,                        yeast extract or yeast food

BTW, if your favorite Asian restaurant says they don’t add MSG to their food that doesn’t mean it’s not in it naturally, in the soy sauce (which is why so many of us carb addicts adore Asian food.