MSG

[vortreker]

Boy am I putting my neck on the dogma and anecdotal chopping block over this but I think it is so important to you great cooks and chefs that I'm going to risk it.

MSG is one of the 5 perceived tastes. If we do not use it we are depriving our food of 20% of its potential taste. (not entirely true because some MSG is present in food or created by cooking).

Sweet

Salty

Sour

Bitter

Umami  (MSG)

It is an individual choice to use it or not but it is the most studied food additive on the planet and dozens of scientific, double blind studies have shown that in normal doses it has no adverse affects. No headaches, no rashes, no heart palpitations, no allergic reactions.

Now I'm going out back, hide, and smoke some Biltong. Marinated in MSG

 

[daniels]

That's interesting.  I've never heard that MSG is one of the perceived tastes.

There's nothing inherently wrong with MSG.  Some people are allergic to MSG or eggs or peanuts or gluten or milk or chocolate or... so they shouldn't have what they're allergic to.

I have a problem with sodium.  I'm not allergic to it but it spikes my blood pressure more than is does most other folks with hypertension.  So, I limit MSG and table salt.

 

[vortreker]

Dan---google "umami"

 

[venture]

I use it in moderation.

I have seen no evidence of a double blind study that proves it is a major problem.

I should add, that those who claim an allergy?  They should avoid a whole bunch of foods where it occurs naturally?

Good luck and good smoking.

 

[adiochiro3]

I do know that in some quantity it produces heart palpitations for me...at least on a few occasions so far...  I don't want any extra added to my food; I'll just take what nature provides -- naturally.

 

[vortreker]

Boy am I putting my neck on the dogma and anecdotal chopping block over this but I think it is so important to you great cooks and chefs that I'm going to risk it.

MSG is one of the 5 perceived tastes. If we do not use it we are depriving our food of 20% of its potential taste. (not entirely true because some MSG is present in food or created by cooking).

Sweet

Salty

Sour

Bitter

Umami  (MSG)

It is an individual choice to use it or not but it is the most studied food additive on the planet and dozens of scientific, double blind studies have shown that in normal doses it has no adverse affects. No headaches, no rashes, no heart palpitations, no allergic reactions.

Now I'm going out back, hide, and smoke some Biltong. Marinated in MSG

Still a personal choice--I am not "pushing" it.

 

[jirodriguez]

Well it may be a percieved thing, but all I know is that if my wife eats any food with MSG in it she gets massive migrains and ends up vomiting later on. So we have learned to read labels, make our own stuff from scratch, and be carefull where we eat out.

 

[harleysmoker]

When my wife was pregnant the Dr. told her to avoid foods with MSG like hot dogs, bologna, lunch meat etc. 

 

[venture]

We hear:

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/monosodium-glutamate/AN01251

If you accept the theory that glutamates are related to umami, there may be sources here:

fish, shellfish, cured meats, vegetables (e.g., mushrooms, ripe tomatoes, Chinese cabbage, spinach, celery, etc.) or green tea, and fermented and aged products (e.g., cheeses, shrimp pastes, soy sauce, etc.).[sup][25][/sup]
Humans' first encounter with umami is often breast milk.

Go figger?

Good luck and good smoking.

 

[harleysmoker]

We hear:

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/monosodium-glutamate/AN01251

If you accept the theory that glutamates are related to umami, there may be sources here:

fish, shellfish, cured meats, vegetables (e.g., mushrooms, ripe tomatoes, Chinese cabbage, spinach, celery, etc.) or green tea, and fermented and aged products (e.g., cheeses, shrimp pastes, soy sauce, etc.).[sup][25][/sup]
Humans' first encounter with umami is often breast milk.

Go figger?

Good luck and good smoking.

My wife was also told not to eat fish or seafood, if she did, very very small portions. We did what the Dr. told us, they know better than us right?

I did tell the Dr. I only want the required immunizations, not what they think a kid should have, or make a buck on. I have read many bad things on that. (that's another subject)

My wife breast fed him also, he never had a bottle or a pacifier in his mouth except after delivery when they took him down to clean him up they gave him a pacifier. I told them don't do it again, he is going to breast fed, don't do it again! Breast milk is the best thing a kid can have, allergies, asthma,,, many things are less likely to happen.

I am not here to argue anything just passing on what I was told. Do your own research and use your own judgement. My mother told us she had never heard of the crazy things they say today about having a baby.

I am the proud father of a beautiful, healthy baby boy and my job is to keep him that way till he can make his own choices!

 

[vortreker]

Nice looking boy---

 

[venture]

Great looking kid!

Good luck and good smoking.

 

[Dutch]

My gosh Harley, the way I was reading your post I thought that you wife was breast feeding the Doc- then I saw the pic of your little pitmaster!! (Note to self- put yer dang glasses on!!)

 

[mdboatbum]

Well it may be a percieved thing, but all I know is that if my wife eats any food with MSG in it she gets massive migrains and ends up vomiting later on. So we have learned to read labels, make our own stuff from scratch, and be carefull where we eat out.

I'm not aware of any food allergies that I have, but there is a certain Chinese restaurant that would trigger a migraine almost every time I ate there. I finally narrowed it down to the hot&sour soup, which according to the lady who runs the place, has a good bit of msg in it.

I think in "normal" amounts msg is fine, but in higher quantities (like most things) can cause some issues.
 

 

[smokinhusker]

What a great looking future pitmaster...so handsome!

I too use MSG in small amounts with no ill effects even though I have had migraines since 1985. I have to agree that not all that doctors say/do is necessarily right. While pregnant with my fourth child, the doctor told me due to complications I would have a miscarriage...my son is now 24, I did deliver at 20 weeks and he is blind but he's mine! 

 

[ak1]

I feel that what is important, is that everyone listens to what their body tells them. Do not listen to dieticians who IMO spew the latest ideas from certain "experts"

Eat a well balanced diet, and avoid foods that may cause an adverse reaction based on your body.

 

[vortreker]

Great advise AK

 

[jirodriguez]

I'm not aware of any food allergies that I have, but there is a certain Chinese restaurant that would trigger a migraine almost every time I ate there. I finally narrowed it down to the hot&sour soup, which according to the lady who runs the place, has a good bit of msg in it.

I think in "normal" amounts msg is fine, but in higher quantities (like most things) can cause some issues.
 

Yeah.... differerant folks have differant levels of susceptability sometimes. With my wife even a handfull of or less of something like Doritos will do her in, but then my mother-in-law says she's allergic to MSG and will down a can of Cambels Chicken Noodle Soup that is loaded with MSG without batting an eye.... lol. Go figure.
 

 

[flyweed]

just remember that Dr's "PRACTICE" medicine...just keep that in mind when listening to alot of what they tell you.  They don't call it "practice" for no reason.

 

[vortreker]

LOL fly---I resemble that!!!

Dr. AK1 gave the best advise.