MSG Allergy

[ann teapot]

Im not on this forum generally but would just like to tell you of my allergy or insensitivity to msg. I t only happens now and again when I have something with it in completely in ignorance or it is misnamed vaguely. Ive been suffering badly over the last 2 days, stomach cramps, hot, cant sleep...I ate at kfc not realising the coating has msg in it. Im really upset with kfc, does it state anywhere when you walk in about that, I will go and look but does anyone have any similar experiences. Of course the obvious is Chinese food but I have to avoid that out as well. I would be really interested. Ann.

[Jacqueline in KY]

Did you ask if it has MSG in it? That shocks me and I have a couple of friends that are highly allergic to MSG and both have eaten at KFC with no problems. If it is true and they don't have it posted I'd say you might have a law suit on your hands, although, I personally wouldn't do it, I guess I would figure if I didn't ask then it is my problem. I have several diet restrictions and I always ask about it.

[ann teapot]

thanks for replying, I looked up kfc and msg on google and there were lots of information, so the coating definitely has msg in it. Its certainly a strange allergy if u tell me about people you know. . Im just feeling a bit better now, from drinking lots of water and having a good s***t, so I hope for a better sleep. Lucky Im retired, so there's no deadlines for the day. And I just will have to be much vigilent with reading labels. But honestly I thought I knew quite a lot, but they disguise msg in so many different names it gets hard.

[*Z*]

I also have an MSG sensitivity but mine manifests as MASSIVE headaches!! It's hard to avoid b/c it's in EVERYTHING. The companies have also taken to changing the name on the ingredients lists b/c there is a large school of thought that an msg sensitivity is all in someone's head-not a "real" problem. Therefore if people don't see "msg" on the label then they won't have a "reaction" to it. People who don't have it don't realize how horrible it is. I ate some Cheetos for supper. Yes I know they have msg. I ate them not even 15 minutes ago and the headache is already starting. I am going to drug myself up and then chastise myself for eating them when I KNOW better.

[ann teapot]

yes thks for sharing that, I just got stomach cramps, and crisps (potato chips) are really difficult, I ate some foreign ones that looked so nice, Italian posh ones from Whole Foods.last year, was going to take them back and honestly just never bothered I still feel nauseous but taking it very easy just eating cream crackers, spread and jam.. Funny thing is I dont think I get it from soy sauce or parmesan cheese, maybe with me its only the added msg and not the natural. Anyway its ruined about a week of holiday with my son who is home from college, so just taking it easy. And gotta eat so simply these days. I had some sliced turkey meat too, as well as kfc, so got a double dose! This has only come on as Ive got older too as I used to be able to eat anything.

[Chef #928625]

That is terrible! I haven't eaten at KFc in many years ,but I remember their original chicken tasting like pure msg and not much else( secret herbs and spices my @$$ !!!)Unfortunately manufacturers hide msg under many different names these days to avoid the dreaded 'msg' on their package[url]www.glutathionediseasecure.com/other-names-for-MSG.html has a good list of other names and ingredients that are hidden sources of msg.Companies can usually add as many as these as they like and still call their foods ,MSG free"!!!![/url]

[~Laury~]

Here is the link above but it's clickable. That should make it easier for some people. www.glutathionediseasecure.com/other-names-for-MSG.html.

I am one of the people who is sensitive to MSG. I have turned very shaky after eating it. I like the link you found because I can advise my husband not to buy items with those ingredients.

[lauralie41]

Great link Chef #928625 thank you! I never realized msg had many other names and were in so many foods.

Laury thank you for the clickable link!

[Chef #928625]

Thanks chef~Laury~ for making my link more accesible.I'm technologically handicapped

[Chef #928625]

Hey I accidently ate some food that had msg in it-ok I willingly put the food in my mouth and knew it probably had msg but didn't really want to ask ,so it wasn't such an accident lol.Anyway,has anyone else noticed that everything tastes sweeter after msg?Even water?Am I imagining it or has anyone else experienced it.It would make sense since msg is obviously a flavor enhancer and perverts our sense of taste,so come to think of it it shouldn't have surprised me.Just used to thinking of it in the context of savory foods and hadn't ingested any in so long I guess I forgot.Any thoughts?Sorry for rambling so much

[~Laury~]

I have noticed that. It does make water taste sweeter. I, also, think of it being used more for savory products.

[Random Rachel]

I also have a sensitivity to msg, and it makes it so hard to eat out

I had to do a lot of trial and error to see what foods were affecting me, and now I keep shelf stable snacks in my car or purse so that I'm less tempted to eat stuff that will make me sick when I'm out. And I usually eat before I go to a potluck or holiday meal at someone else's house.

I can do small amounts of naturally occurring glutamates like parmesan cheese, but not soybean oil. And soybean oil is in everything! even a plain baked potato when you go out to eat