6 ms·

For a vegetarian like me, MSG is a god send. Savory oatmeal spiced up with MSG, a dab of miso paste, and other spices has been my daily breakfast for a couple o

For a vegetarian like me, MSG is a god send. Savory oatmeal spiced up with MSG, a dab of miso paste, and other spices has been my daily breakfast for a couple of years. It's surprising that not many people know about MSG or shy away from it because of nonsensical urban myths.

grimwall 7y ago
Even for non vegetarians, MSG (monosodium glutamate) is a pretty cool addition to the kitchen toolbox, just order some and start experimenting! Do some controlled ones, for example split a portion into two, ask a 2nd person to sprinkle some onto one of them and try both of them and guess which one has MSG on it.
- close04 7y ago
  I think the jury is still out on how (un)healthy extensive use of MSG is [0]. > In conclusion we would like to state that although MSG has proven its value as an enhancer of flavour, different studies have hinted at possible toxic effects related to this popular food-additive. These toxic effects include CNS disorder, obesity, disruptions in adipose tissue physiology, hepatic damage, CRS and reproductive malfunctions. These threats might have hitherto been underestimated. In the meantime, people keep using ever larger amounts of MSG unaware of the possible consequences. Further studies need to be undertaken in order to assess the connection between MSG and cardiovascular disorders, headache, and hypertension in human models. MSG is a controversial food-additive used in canned food, crackers, meat, salad dressings, frozen dinners and a myriad of other products. It is found in local supermarkets, restaurants and school cafeterias alike. While MSG probably has huge benefits to the food industry, the ubiquitous use of this food-additive could have negative consequences for public health. If more substantive evidence of MSG-toxicity would be provided, a total ban on the use of MSG as a flavour enhancer would not be unwise to consider. [0] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5938543/ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5938543/
  - kls 7y ago
    It is just sea weed extract, maybe they should rename it to that as everyone thinks sea weed is a health food. Sushi is full of natural MSG. Here is a good article on how MSG got a bad wrap: https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/how-msg-got-a-bad-rap-flawed-science-and-xenophobia/ https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/how-msg-got-a-bad-rap-f...
    - atom-morgan 7y ago
      That's...a huge branding error. Seriously, Organic Seaweed Salt (GF/V) would fly off the shelves at Whole Foods.
      - WorldMaker 7y ago
        Someone should tell B&G Foods, given it is way past time for them to modernize the Accent brand anyway (people see it in my spice cabinet and wonder what's with the "weird 60s salt shaker"). https://www.accentflavor.com/product/flavor-enhancer https://www.accentflavor.com/product/flavor-enhancer
    - close04 7y ago
      > It is just sea weed extract This seems unrelated to the claims I quoted/linked. Cocaine is "just a plant extract". But this statement doesn't say much about how wise it is to ingest it. [0] You might as well put this on a pack of cigarettes. [0] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_poisonous_plants#Other_poisonous_plants https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_poisonous_plants#Other...
      - kls 7y ago
        My point is that people will hail MSG as the devil and then happily consume sushi wrapped in sea weed and have no ill effect. I have a friend she swears she is allergic to MSG but she eats sushi at least twice a week with no reaction. I don't have the heart to tell her that the very wrapping she is eating is where they get the MSG from. That being said, there are people that legitimately have a glutamate allergy and they do have reactions when they eat sea weed.
- 1MachineElf 7y ago
  I can confirm that savory oatmeal is a great vegetarian way to start the day. It's counter-intuitive and surprisingly good. My favorite preparation involves mixing in cashew nut butter with a little tomato sauce.
  - eclipxe 7y ago
    I’m sorry but this sounds really unappealing to me. But it’s probably tasty.
  - magic_beans 7y ago
    While I don't think I'll ever get on board with savory oatmeal, I'd be perfectly happy with savory grits or savory polenta. But really — there's no reason not to have roasted veggies and brown rice for a savory breakfast.
  - jacobwilliamroy 7y ago
    I only know one person who dislikes my savory oatmeal, and he says it's because he has lots of unpleasant childhood memories of being force fed savory oatmeal by his mother, back in the holler.
scandinavegan 7y ago
MSG was heavily discussed in Sweden 10-15 years ago, especially the addition to potato chips. The Swedish National Food Agency said that it was safe to eat, but that some people may be hypersensitive. I read a couple of articles now, and it seems from interviews like the people behind some of the organizations protesting its use was hypersensitive themselves. It makes sense that if they have bad reactions, they assume that the substance itself is bad in general, even if that hasn't been shown in medical trials. The Food Agency also said that since the symptoms were limited in time and severity, even if hypersensitive (blurred vision, headache, and so on) it wasn't necessary to warn the general public to stop consumption. I read an article saying that MSG is not allowed in baby food and is cautioned against for pregnant women. The baby food claim may be true, but the Food Agency says that small children process MSG as efficiently as adults, that there's no difference of glutamate blood concentration between fetus and mother when pregnant, and that MSG is not considered a risk for the fetus. They also say that it's not probable that it's transferred to the baby in breast milk, if consumption is kept at recommended daily intake. When I was in elementary school in the 80s and 90s, people would eat knäckebröd [1] with butter covered with Aromat [2]. We didn't know it then, but it contained MSG which was probably why it tasted so good. Aromat contains lactose, and a vegan alternative is Vegeta [3]. I don't sprinkle it directly onto food, even if I could, but use it more like powdered broth and add it to sauces and soups. It's pretty salty, so I use it instead of salt. Another vegan product I'd like to mention for its umami flavor is Engevita [4] nutritional yeast flakes. I sprinkle that on top of food which gives it a more deep, nutty, or cheesy flavor. Instead of monosodium glutamate, where a sodium atom is bound to the glutamate amino acid, the glutamate is bound (according to an article I read that was light on details) to other amino acids, but still performs its umami duties. This is natural occurring glutamate in the yeast, and not an additive. [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crispbread https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crispbread [2] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aromat https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aromat [3] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Podravka#Consumer_brands https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Podravka#Consumer_brands [4] http://marigoldhealthfoods.co.uk/products/engevita/engevita-with-b12-blue.php http://marigoldhealthfoods.co.uk/products/engevita/engevita-...
mark_l_watson 7y ago
Thank you! I am going to try that this morning. I don’t think we have MSG powder, but if I add some seaweed (at home we say ‘sea vegetables’) like Arame, Wakame, and Kombu, I think that will have the same effect. Miso paste sounds like a good addition also.
deleted 7y ago
[deleted]
grawprog 7y ago
I learned MSG was purchasable from a friend who swore by their MSG Shaker. You don't need a lot and it adds a different flavour than just straight up salt. I liked it, i've never actually used it myself in cooking though. I kind of just forgot about it until your comment.
phkahler 7y ago
>> or shy away from it because of nonsensical urban myths. I shy away from it because it gives me migraine headaches. Not everyone is like you, and that doesnt mean those others are being nonsensical.
hinkley 7y ago
Have you discovered truffle salt?

grimwall 7y ago

Even for non vegetarians, MSG (monosodium glutamate) is a pretty cool addition to the kitchen toolbox, just order some and start experimenting! Do some controlled ones, for example split a portion into two, ask a 2nd person to sprinkle some onto one of them and try both of them and guess which one has MSG on it.

close04 7y ago
I think the jury is still out on how (un)healthy extensive use of MSG is [0]. > In conclusion we would like to state that although MSG has proven its value as an enhancer of flavour, different studies have hinted at possible toxic effects related to this popular food-additive. These toxic effects include CNS disorder, obesity, disruptions in adipose tissue physiology, hepatic damage, CRS and reproductive malfunctions. These threats might have hitherto been underestimated. In the meantime, people keep using ever larger amounts of MSG unaware of the possible consequences. Further studies need to be undertaken in order to assess the connection between MSG and cardiovascular disorders, headache, and hypertension in human models. MSG is a controversial food-additive used in canned food, crackers, meat, salad dressings, frozen dinners and a myriad of other products. It is found in local supermarkets, restaurants and school cafeterias alike. While MSG probably has huge benefits to the food industry, the ubiquitous use of this food-additive could have negative consequences for public health. If more substantive evidence of MSG-toxicity would be provided, a total ban on the use of MSG as a flavour enhancer would not be unwise to consider. [0] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5938543/ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5938543/
- kls 7y ago
  It is just sea weed extract, maybe they should rename it to that as everyone thinks sea weed is a health food. Sushi is full of natural MSG. Here is a good article on how MSG got a bad wrap: https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/how-msg-got-a-bad-rap-flawed-science-and-xenophobia/ https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/how-msg-got-a-bad-rap-f...
  - atom-morgan 7y ago
    That's...a huge branding error. Seriously, Organic Seaweed Salt (GF/V) would fly off the shelves at Whole Foods.
    - WorldMaker 7y ago
      Someone should tell B&G Foods, given it is way past time for them to modernize the Accent brand anyway (people see it in my spice cabinet and wonder what's with the "weird 60s salt shaker"). https://www.accentflavor.com/product/flavor-enhancer https://www.accentflavor.com/product/flavor-enhancer
  - close04 7y ago
    > It is just sea weed extract This seems unrelated to the claims I quoted/linked. Cocaine is "just a plant extract". But this statement doesn't say much about how wise it is to ingest it. [0] You might as well put this on a pack of cigarettes. [0] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_poisonous_plants#Other_poisonous_plants https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_poisonous_plants#Other...
    - kls 7y ago
      My point is that people will hail MSG as the devil and then happily consume sushi wrapped in sea weed and have no ill effect. I have a friend she swears she is allergic to MSG but she eats sushi at least twice a week with no reaction. I don't have the heart to tell her that the very wrapping she is eating is where they get the MSG from. That being said, there are people that legitimately have a glutamate allergy and they do have reactions when they eat sea weed.
1MachineElf 7y ago
I can confirm that savory oatmeal is a great vegetarian way to start the day. It's counter-intuitive and surprisingly good. My favorite preparation involves mixing in cashew nut butter with a little tomato sauce.
- eclipxe 7y ago
  I’m sorry but this sounds really unappealing to me. But it’s probably tasty.
- magic_beans 7y ago
  While I don't think I'll ever get on board with savory oatmeal, I'd be perfectly happy with savory grits or savory polenta. But really — there's no reason not to have roasted veggies and brown rice for a savory breakfast.
- jacobwilliamroy 7y ago
  I only know one person who dislikes my savory oatmeal, and he says it's because he has lots of unpleasant childhood memories of being force fed savory oatmeal by his mother, back in the holler.

scandinavegan 7y ago

MSG was heavily discussed in Sweden 10-15 years ago, especially the addition to potato chips. The Swedish National Food Agency said that it was safe to eat, but that some people may be hypersensitive. I read a couple of articles now, and it seems from interviews like the people behind some of the organizations protesting its use was hypersensitive themselves. It makes sense that if they have bad reactions, they assume that the substance itself is bad in general, even if that hasn't been shown in medical trials. The Food Agency also said that since the symptoms were limited in time and severity, even if hypersensitive (blurred vision, headache, and so on) it wasn't necessary to warn the general public to stop consumption. I read an article saying that MSG is not allowed in baby food and is cautioned against for pregnant women. The baby food claim may be true, but the Food Agency says that small children process MSG as efficiently as adults, that there's no difference of glutamate blood concentration between fetus and mother when pregnant, and that MSG is not considered a risk for the fetus. They also say that it's not probable that it's transferred to the baby in breast milk, if consumption is kept at recommended daily intake. When I was in elementary school in the 80s and 90s, people would eat knäckebröd [1] with butter covered with Aromat [2]. We didn't know it then, but it contained MSG which was probably why it tasted so good. Aromat contains lactose, and a vegan alternative is Vegeta [3]. I don't sprinkle it directly onto food, even if I could, but use it more like powdered broth and add it to sauces and soups. It's pretty salty, so I use it instead of salt. Another vegan product I'd like to mention for its umami flavor is Engevita [4] nutritional yeast flakes. I sprinkle that on top of food which gives it a more deep, nutty, or cheesy flavor. Instead of monosodium glutamate, where a sodium atom is bound to the glutamate amino acid, the glutamate is bound (according to an article I read that was light on details) to other amino acids, but still performs its umami duties. This is natural occurring glutamate in the yeast, and not an additive. [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crispbread https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crispbread [2] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aromat https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aromat [3] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Podravka#Consumer_brands https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Podravka#Consumer_brands [4] http://marigoldhealthfoods.co.uk/products/engevita/engevita-with-b12-blue.php http://marigoldhealthfoods.co.uk/products/engevita/engevita-...

mark_l_watson 7y ago

Thank you! I am going to try that this morning. I don’t think we have MSG powder, but if I add some seaweed (at home we say ‘sea vegetables’) like Arame, Wakame, and Kombu, I think that will have the same effect. Miso paste sounds like a good addition also.

deleted 7y ago

[deleted]

grawprog 7y ago

I learned MSG was purchasable from a friend who swore by their MSG Shaker. You don't need a lot and it adds a different flavour than just straight up salt. I liked it, i've never actually used it myself in cooking though. I kind of just forgot about it until your comment.

phkahler 7y ago

>> or shy away from it because of nonsensical urban myths. I shy away from it because it gives me migraine headaches. Not everyone is like you, and that doesnt mean those others are being nonsensical.

hinkley 7y ago

Have you discovered truffle salt?