If you’ve ever gone out to a restaurant and had a seemingly harmless meal, only to be greeted by an excruciating migraine hours later, you may be wondering if it is something in the food that caused your debilitating pain. That something might be monosodium glutamate, otherwise known as MSG. Let’s take a closer look at why MSG could be the cause of your headaches and how to avoid it.
What is MSG and What Does it Do?
MSG is a flavor enhancer that has been used in foods for years. It is most commonly found in processed and packaged foods like chips, crackers, frozen dinners, salad dressings, and even soups. It can also be found in some Asian cuisines such as Chinese food. In small doses, there have been no reported adverse effects of consuming MSG; however, some people are sensitive to this additive and can experience negative reactions when they consume it.
How Do You Know If You’re Sensitive To MSG?
If you’re prone to headaches or migraines after eating certain meals or snacks then you may be sensitive to MSG. Symptoms such as dizziness, sweating, weakness, flushing of the face/neck/upper chest area are also common signs of an intolerance to this food additive. If these symptoms sound familiar then you may want to consider avoiding MSG altogether.
How Can You Avoid MSG?
The best way to avoid MSG is by reading labels on food packages before purchasing them at the store. Also check restaurant menus carefully before ordering to see if any dishes contain this ingredient; many restaurants specifically list items on their menu that contain added flavors or additives such as monosodium glutamate so patrons know beforehand what they are ordering. Additionally, look for “no-added-MSG” labeling on products or make sure that the product does not contain ingredients like hydrolyzed vegetable protein (HVP), yeast extract, textured vegetable protein (TVP), autolyzed yeast extract or calcium caseinate which are all forms of added monosodium glutamate.
While many people have no problem consuming monosodium glutamate without any ill effects whatsoever; others might find themselves with severe headaches afterwards due to an intolerance for this food product. It's important to pay attention to your body and any reactions that occur after consuming certain foods in order to determine if you are one of those who cannot tolerate it well - so keep an eye out for those tell-tale signs! With careful label reading and menu selection strategies though you can easily identify which items contain added flavors or additives like monosodium glutamate so that you can avoid them in the future.
By the way, I've gone from 16 to 24 migraines days per month down to less than 1 by decreasing inflammation and becoming less susceptible to these triggers. Does this sound overwhelming - like how do I even start? There is a FREE 11 Day Jumpstart next month where it walks you through step by step and has easy to follow instructions to get you started (all you need is the vitamins and minerals that do the work). Click Here for details, leave a comment here, and I'll get you in!
0 Comments