My qualm with MSG doesn't involve its health effects, but the fact that MSG makes telling the difference between good food and crap far more difficult. If you'

My qualm with MSG doesn't involve its health effects, but the fact that MSG makes telling the difference between good food and crap far more difficult. If you'd like to see a demonstration of what I mean, boil a pound of dried beans, and add some MSG. I find you'll eat the otherwise unflavored, bland beans with the same mechanical compulsion as a bag of potato chips. In that way MSG spoils the sport of preparing delicious food. That should also raise the issue of portion control and satiety in your mind. If you're reading this, I assume you're more concerned with maintaining a steady weight than tricking your body into desiring greater quantities of food. MSG'll thwart you there, and unfortunately it's usually used on foods that are already pure starch and fat rather than nutritious fare.