YOUR FIRST OBSTACLE COURSE:  The Supermarket

Take your glasses -- and maybe even your magnifying glass!  You'll have to read each label and check it against the list of "Hidden Names of MSG" found earlier in this website.  Get ready for the aggravation of learning that almost everything "convenient" or pre-made will have MSG in one or more forms on the ingredient label.

The most prevalent, and insidious, ingredient which will cause you the most grief will be "Natural Flavors".  The "Hidden Names" list says that Natural Flavors often contains MSG.  Once in awhile it doesn't.  The only way to actually KNOW if it's safe is to write or call the manufacturer and ask if "Natural Flavors contains free glutamates or MSG".  The manufacturer will usually answer; but will add that they change ingredients frequently, so you must keep on checking!  The FDA allows 6 months to change the label after they've changed ingredients, which could mean 6 months of misery for you.  So you're left with one real choice if you want to eliminate pain:  don't buy anything with Natural Flavors or any other ingredient that's on your "Hidden Names of MSG" list.

Fresh Fruits and Vegetables:  Wash carefully -- the food industry is pushing to add glutamates to the "wax" used to give fruits and veggies their shine.

Meats, Steaks, Roasts:  Ask the Meat Department Manager what meat products have been "processed" before arriving at this store.  If the meat is cut at the store, it is usually safe.  Pre-formed, frozen hamburgers are rarely safe.

Chicken and Turkey:  Only fresh, unprocessed poultry is safe.  Many brand-name turkeys have been injected with Hydrolyzed Protein prior to freezing....enough to give you a migraine.  Only fresh chicken is safe -- any packaged or boxed with sauces or seasonings usually have MSG.  Remember that poultry gravy mixes, broth, bouillon, and canned gravies are usually loaded with MSG.

Breads, Muffins, Baked Items:  Watch for Autolyzed Yeast, Yeast Extract, and other 'hidden' MSG.  Check with the bakery department if something you want isn't clearly labeled.  Bakery items with fruit filling are often sources of MSG.  Watch for "malted barley" -- this may affect the very sensitive.

Canned Tuna Fish, salmon, etc. usually have MSG under the Hydrolyzed Protein name.  Check for labels that have tuna, water, salt, period.

Lunchmeats and Cheeses can be dangerous territory!  Almost all lunchmeats, except Thumann's brand, have MSG.  Ask your store manager to order it for you.  (Thumann, Inc. is located in Carlstadt, NJ, Phone:  (201) 935-3636.)   As for cheeses, stick to imported Italian cheeses or Thumann's brand -- others often hide MSG under "whey protein".