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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Adding MSG to homecooking AIBU?

76 replies

MSGwtaf · 27/02/2017 12:19

I've just had a row with DP over fucking MSG.
On the rare occasion that he cooks he has been adding MSG to our food despite me asking him not too.
His parents are Caribbean and he claims they use it in everything (I did not know this) and he does when he makes Caribbean food also. And spaghetti bolognese. Wtf.
I found an open packet of it a few months ago in the back of the cupboard and was dumbfounded and asked him if he knew where it had come from. Hesaid it was his blah blah, we had a long discussion about it and I threw it out. Today I've found a new, just opened packet.
AIBU to be really pissed off? I don't want the children eating that. I'm also breastfeeding - I assume it passes through milk?
He's also adamant on giving baby's juice. The arguments we've had over that. His view is that he is a parent too, why can I dictate what they can't have and he have no say at all? My argument is because it's BAD! Why would you want to give them it!

OP posts:
Trills · 27/02/2017 12:20

MSG is lovely.

There's no evidence that it does anything bad.

It's just a salt that you're unfamiliar with.

asknicely · 27/02/2017 12:25

It's sold as aromate seasoning in Ireland. It's divine on pork chops as a seasoning and grilled Grin

Tootsiepops · 27/02/2017 12:25

Have you checked the recent research on msg? It's perfectly fine to add to food.

ImperialBlether · 27/02/2017 12:26

Take him to the dentist and ask again about juice. They'll wipe the floor with him.

Trills · 27/02/2017 12:28

You need to have a proper discussion about this and AGREE what you will do.

If he agreed not to use it but then did, then he is in the wrong, even though it is harmless.

It sounds as though you told him "don't use this" and expected your word to be law, and that you did not have a discussion or come to an agreement.

TheOnlyLivingBoyinNewCork · 27/02/2017 12:29

I don't want the children eating that. I'm also breastfeeding - I assume it passes through milk?

If MSG is so bad for you, why isn't the whole of Asia ill? And the Carribean, and many other places? It's just another form of glutamate, which by the way is found in breastmilk in incredibly high amounts (more than 10 times that found in cows milk). Glutamate is what gives the savoury flavour to many foods..you know how parmesan livens up your pasta? Glutamate! It's in loads of foods you eat, in both natural and added form.

It has been unfairly demonised based on a few articles from the 1960s which have since been throroughly debunked. Studies have given humans a hundred times the average daily consumption with zero effects. It is perfectly harmless and is a natural and safe substance.

No doubt there will be plenty of posts saying that its bad for you, but its utter nonsense.

Soubriquet · 27/02/2017 12:29

Blimey. Calm down dear

MSG isn't going to hurt you and if you eat food out you've probably already eaten it!

Juice is not ideal but again it's not the worst thing in the world

Original poster
MSGwtaf · 27/02/2017 12:31

Wow, I think I owe DP an apology!
Perhaps I should of done some more research, as I am going on what was said about MSG when I was a child.
I think the fact it's called 'MSG' makes it sound so mechanical.
Thank you everyone. Not giving up on the juice though Hmm

OP posts:
TheOnlyLivingBoyinNewCork · 27/02/2017 12:32

Really good article here: www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2005/jul/10/foodanddrink.features3

Wolpertinger · 27/02/2017 12:33

MSG has had an unfair reputation due to a combination of bad science and racism - people eating Chinese or 'forrin' food and being scared of it.

fivethirtyeight.com/features/how-msg-got-a-bad-rap-flawed-science-and-xenophobia/

There's nothing wrong with adding it to food - I personally wouldn't and definitely in not food like a bolognese - but don't have a row with your DH based on myth.

Wolpertinger · 27/02/2017 12:34

Don''t worry - I remember being taught about Chinese Restaurant Syndrome at med school in the 90s Shock

Science doesn't stand still.

Trills · 27/02/2017 12:36

Well done for taking comments on board :)

FunkinEll · 27/02/2017 12:37

I didn't know about the current research had changed either OP. I just remember reading it was bad online about 9 years ago (eldest was a baby hence remembering). I have a few cooking ingredients with MSG so I feel better about that now.

Semaphorically · 27/02/2017 12:39

Unless you're intolerant (it gives some people a headache) MSG is ok. I wouldn't want to eat lots of it, but in moderation it's fine. That said, children have immature kidneys so I wouldn't add it to food they're eating because MSG is produced with salt.

Semaphorically · 27/02/2017 12:40

This article is interesting.

DJBaggySmalls · 27/02/2017 12:51

I use MSG, I get it from the Afro Caribbean shop up the road. You only use a pinch.
I think you remember Chinese Restaurant Syndrome from decades ago, they used to use a lot in each dish and people used to overdose with some unpleasant side effects.
MSG stands for monosodium glutomate. Sodium chlorate is just the chemical name for salt. Dont be afraid of chemicals, we are made of them.

TheOnlyLivingBoyinNewCork · 27/02/2017 13:00

I didn't know about the current research had changed either OP

It hasn't, its just the unfounded hysteria receded and the science was allowed out! The research has always been pretty consistent.

Wolpertinger · 27/02/2017 13:05

DJ there is no Chinese Restaurant Syndrome. It's been uncovered as a myth - people who thought they had it couldn't reliably identify whether they had eaten MSG or not.

TheOnlyLivingBoyinNewCork · 27/02/2017 13:07

I think you remember Chinese Restaurant Syndrome from decades ago, they used to use a lot in each dish and people used to overdose with some unpleasant side effects

They didn't, and it didn't cause side effects. The so called symptoms of Chinese Restaurant Syndrome are vague, ill defined, can be attributed to any number of things and have never been scientifically linked to MSG.
Studies have ever shown than when you take people who have self diagnosed with CRS and give them foods stuffed with MSG/glutamate they feel fine, but give them food that is msg free but they think otherwise, they get "symptoms".

www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2009/aug/12/msg-allergy-chinese-restaurant-syndrome-myth

www.businessinsider.com/msg-allergy-doesnt-exist-2013-8?IR=T

fivethirtyeight.com/features/how-msg-got-a-bad-rap-flawed-science-and-xenophobia/

It's one of the most widely believed health myths out there, and there has never been any basis for it.

Mum2jenny · 27/02/2017 13:07

Sodium chlorate is not salt. Salt is sodium chloride

arbrighton · 27/02/2017 13:10

DJBaggySmalls

No, it's sodium CHLORIDE not chlorate.

actually very different.... Sodium chlorate is used as weedkiller, amongst other things

If you're going to try and sound clever, get it right

ExcuseMyEyebrows · 27/02/2017 13:11

I know which restaurants to avoid because of the unpleasant after effects of eating there - they must add a ton of msg to their food.

And I had never heard of ' Chinese restaurant syndrome' before I first experienced symptoms (very weird 'head in a vice' sensation)

Having said that, their food is gorgeous Sad

AHedgehogCanNeverBeBuggered · 27/02/2017 13:13

Arbrighton no need to be so nasty Shock

I'm sure it was just a typo/autocorrect!

TheOnlyLivingBoyinNewCork · 27/02/2017 13:14

I know which restaurants to avoid because of the unpleasant after effects of eating there - they must add a ton of msg to their food

No, they must not. It's not the MSG.

DJBaggySmalls · 27/02/2017 13:16

Yes it was a typo, thanks AHedgehogCanNeverBeBuggered. I cant buy Sodium chlorate any more because of terrorism and I have some tree stumps to remove.