MSG- The Hidden Trigger

Monosodium Glutamate is a common food additive that almost everyone out there has heard of.  When I talk to people though (mostly non migraine sufferers) they don't seem to realise how many different things it is in! It pretty  much boils down to almost all processed food down there or it "could' be in almost all processed food out there. The problem is that it doesn't have to say MSG on the label to have MSG in it. There are a ton of things that can be in the ingredients that contain MSG. It is also considered "natural" by the FDA so you can't even trust the more natural brands!

The worst offenders are broths, bouillons, seasoned salt, frozen or ready to eat meals, buffet food, Chinese food, processed meats, low fat/low calorie foods, veggie burgers and most tuna fish.

Hidden names/Sources for MSG*

Hydrolyzed protein- including vegetable/soy/plant and rice
Yeast extract
Autolyzed yeast
natural flavor/s
Broth, Stock, bouillon
Soy protein concentrate
Soy protein isolate
textured protein
whey protein
protein fortified items
malt extract
malted barley
maltodextrin
carrageenan- in every ice cream i have seen!
kombu- seaweed extract
sodium caseinate
calcium caseinate
Glutamic acid
Gelatin
Fermented or Cultured items
Ultrapasteurized items
Enzyme modified items

Its a long list and I am always checking back to it. I bring it to the grocery store with me!
This is why cooking is so important to the migraine diet!
It took me less time to make a batch of oatmeal only cookies than it would have finding a cookie I could eat in a store!
Just the basic oatmeal cookie recipe no raisins!

*List of MSG sources taken from Heal Your Headache By David Buchholz M.D.