When scientists want to make rats obese, they give them MSG. Did you know that MSG is in many food products including some organic products? The food industry loves it, because it can make us crave their foods and not feel satisfied, so we buy more. Basically, we are the rats! I touched on MSG back when we were getting our spices right, but I recently learned that MSG is in organic creamed soups, and I really felt led to dedicate a whole week to this issue. You may think you are avoiding MSG by buying products that say MSG free, or if you don’t see it on the label, but even those products can have this hidden under other ingredients including spice which most people would think of as natural spices.

MSG is a potent neurotoxin (toxic to the nervous system).  When researching this topic, you will find that a lot of studies confirm MSG to be safe, but it’s important to look at the sponsors of these studies. They were all done by the glutamate industry! According to the Weston Price website these studies were done as double-blind studies where one group was given MSG and the other group a placebo. The interesting thing to note about the placebo group was that they were given Aspartame, a chemical with similar consequences. Yes, there are plenty of studies out there confirming the dangers of MSG, but you won’t hear about them from our media, government, or FDA. I now understand that we live in a fallen world, filled with greed, corruption, and lies.

It has been documented that many people have been affected by MSG. According to the Truth in Labeling website, some of the diseases reported include brain damage, endocrine disorders (obesity and reproductive disorders), behavior disorders, adverse reactions, neurodegenerative disease, migraines, seizures, cancer, and asthma. Some studies suggest that MSG also causes food addiction. To make matters worse, the big food companies have lobbied to get MSG hidden under 40 FDA approved ingredients. If I see the word spice, natural flavoring, or yeast extract, to name a few, I assume it’s in there and won’t buy it. So, when I read a label and it says, “Does not contain MSG,” I can’t trust it. MSG is also sprayed on a lot of the non-organic crops as an insecticide. Two great sources for more information are the website, Truth in Labeling, and the book, Excitotoxins: The Taste That Kills, by Russell Blaylock, M.D.

When I started thinking for myself and doing my own research, I quickly realized that this was one preservative that I didn’t want in my food, but I also learned through this process that MSG was in almost everything we were eating!! Basically almost everything that is processed!  I had to learn a new way of cooking for my family, and after years of experimenting it’s been fun to share what I have learned with others. We have learned to make a lot of the foods we “thought” we loved using herbs to create a homemade ranch dressing for delicious salads, spaghetti and pizza sauce, ranch potato chips, fettuccine Alfredo, pasta salad, summer sausage, hot dogs, homemade stock and creamed soups, casseroles, and hamburger helper to name a few. These are just a few of the things I never thought I could recreate!

This is how our family avoids MSG 100% of the time. First, we grow as much of our food as time allows. Then we eat this fresh or freeze, can, or dry it for winter. All of our meat is now grown on our farm, but before this I would only purchase from farmers in our area that I could trust. Our cows, sheep, and goats are grass-finished, and we are so careful about feed for our chickens and pigs that do require some grain. Then, we try to support local farmers that are growing food or feed beyond organic standards. When I can talk to the farmer face to face and visit their farm, I’m not worried about an organic label.  Finally, we buy basic organic ingredients and make almost all of our food from scratch. The organic label is meaning less to me all the time, but I do still patronize the organic industry through reputable companies, in order to avoid GMOs, chemical toxins, and so much more, but this is a last resort!

When we converted our diet, I noticed that the pain that I had experienced for most of my life (yes, I had seen the doctor) disappeared. I don’t know if MSG was the cause, but I will say that several years ago I quit eating organic cream of chicken soup, because that pain returned every time I did. Most of the time I have to eat my own food, because even the most natural people often use at least one ingredient that causes me problems. Two weeks ago I learned from the Healthy Home Economist that MSG is in organic creamed soups and it sure made me remember how thankful I was that we make our own, because it’s much healthier and a lot less expensive! I will be sharing a video on how to make this in your own kitchen this week. It’s so simple, you will wonder why you haven’t tried it before!

I never want to tell someone how to lose weight. It’s just not something I care about, but through our own experience, I am convinced that eating foods that contain MSG will make a person hungrier and rarely feel satisfied. I highly encourage you to research this subject. It can feel very overwhelming to change, and I fell a lot for several years, because it’s really hard to give up convenience, but it gets easier and more efficient. If you are like me, and you get to that 100 percent clean diet, you will wonder why you didn’t do this sooner! Please know that we are here if you have any questions.

Have you ditched the MSG? What is your favorite food to make from scratch that you enjoy? We love to hear from you!