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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:
ErrolTheDragon · 27/02/2017 13:16

Last time I looked, OXO cubes contained MSG. So it'll be in a lot of very normal english home cooking.

Sodium chlorate is just the chemical name for salt. Dont be afraid of chemicals, we are made of them.

Or rather, only be afraid of those chemicals which are actually toxic... like sodium chlorate, but not sodium chloride. (Its really rather important to spell the names of chemicals properly)

DJBaggySmalls · 27/02/2017 13:18

Yes thanks Errol, I've already had my arse handed to me on a plate.

user1484394242 · 27/02/2017 13:27

It's like any other food/additive that affects some people and not others. I get migraines from MSG as do other relatives of mine. I avoid it as much as I can (not possible to avoid 100% because of tomato and other foods that have it in but we don't buy much processed foods and I found a stock pot that doesn't bother me) but for many people it's not a problem.

I do think it's a issue if one partner cooks with an ingredient that the other isn't happy with. He should discuss it with you- that's if he knew you didn't want it in your food.

ExcuseMyEyebrows · 27/02/2017 13:29

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

I'd be really grateful if someone could tell me what Chinese restaurants add to their food that might give me my symptoms then? Confused

VestalVirgin · 27/02/2017 13:31

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?

Because you gave birth. There's a difference. You clearly invested more.

Besides, this is not a case of conflicting interests. It is not like the baby could be harmed by not adding glutamate to the food.
If baby's safety and wellbeing is what he wants - and it should be - then he can have that while not adding glutamate to the food.

I mean, I get that he probably wants to have it in his own food because it is tasty, but can't he put it in after cooking?

It might not be that harmful, but it is an artificial substance that is added to food in larger quantities than the food in question would usually contain. Like sugar. Sure, many people like to eat it, but that's not a good reason to give it to babies and young children.

TheOnlyLivingBoyinNewCork · 27/02/2017 13:34

Any number of other things that have not been so throughly researched as MSG, I would have thought. And anyway, just because you think you know what causes it doesn;t mean you have. Any number of people will tell you they took homeopathy sugar pills and got better from something, however we know that is not why they got better. They are still convinced of it.

You could of course be a rare person with an MSG sensitivity, but in that case you would have symptoms after a vast range of other foods, and not just chinese restaurants. If your symptoms only occur after chinese restaurant food, it cannot possibly be the MSG.

AHedgehogCanNeverBeBuggered · 27/02/2017 13:35

ExcusemyEyebrows you might be allergic or intolerant to MSG, some people are. Most people are fine with it though.

Or they could use a type of oil to cook with, or another ingredient, that you're allergic/intolerant to - have you ever had problems with soya, sesame, peanut (common culprits)?

TheOnlyLivingBoyinNewCork · 27/02/2017 13:35

It might not be that harmful, but it is an artificial substance that is added to food in larger quantities than the food in question would usually contain

Its exactly the same as the naturally occurring version and is not at all harmful. And lots of foods naturally contain large amounts of glutamate, like breast milk. Should that be kept from babies too?

AHedgehogCanNeverBeBuggered · 27/02/2017 13:37

Whoops, wrong thread! Blush

AHedgehogCanNeverBeBuggered · 27/02/2017 13:39

No, not wrong thread. D'oh!

ExcuseMyEyebrows · 27/02/2017 18:38

Interesting AHedgehog because I've never had an issue with peanuts, but my DS is allergic to them.

I always assumed it was MSG causing the weird head feeling but perhaps not.

Beansonapost · 27/02/2017 18:53

Are you sure it is MSG and not just seasoning?

I'm from the Caribbean... we use a lot of spices mixtures and seasonings in food most of which are MSG free.

Kewcumber · 27/02/2017 18:56

I have known a doctor recommend against using MSG in home cooking. Not because its unsafe but because it tends to make you overeat!

Gonnabealongone · 27/02/2017 19:10

Beansonapost
It's definitely MSG. We use a lot of seasoning - some I'm not particularly fond of because of the E numbers in them.
It's sold in a little bag that says 'flavour enhancer' and then underneath has monosodium glutamate written in small.

Original poster
MSGwtaf · 27/02/2017 19:14

Yeah, it's MSG. The difference is fairly obvious.

OP posts:
FunkinEll · 27/02/2017 20:33

Coincidentally, they're covering MSG on food unwrapped now.

HardcoreLadyType · 27/02/2017 20:37

You know that lovely savoury flavour of Parmesan cheese? Naturally occurring MSG.

MSG is also sometimes known as umami.

Hotfuzzed · 27/02/2017 20:48

Whenever we visit my inlaws they insist on going out to eat at a local MSG free Chinese restaurant. It's crap!!!

Screwinthetuna · 27/02/2017 20:51

It was printed in my school text book of an example of a food additive that causes cancer. I didn't know it had been debunked.
I don't ever put it in our food intentionally and buy stock pots etc without it in, but it's in a lot of crisps/pot noodles/fast food that myself and my family do eat sometimes. It DOES give me heart palpatations, for some reason. I don't think you are being unreasonable to not want it added to your food though! Don't worry about the little in your breastmilk :)

deblet · 27/02/2017 21:14

I work as a sensory panelist and we always love the food with MSG. The company I work for are now reintroducing it back into the foods they make as there is no evidence against it. Don't worry.

Beansonapost · 28/02/2017 06:08

Well the ones I use don't say flavour enhancers and have no MSG in them.

Maybe he should change what he buys...

SwotAnalysis · 28/02/2017 06:44

I'm pleased you've been educated as t MSG OP. I wouldn't add more than the tiniest amount to cooking for children or adults and the same goes for 'regular' seasoning.

I also think you need to answer "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?".

Why are you the ruling parent?

I'm frequently confused by the comments on MN with mothers saying things like 'I'd put my foot down' or 'its a line in the sand for me' or 'I wouldn't let him...' whereas the reverse would get calls of LTB! Either you're equal parents with neither having final say or you aren't. I suspect you'd choose the former.

mygorgeousmilo · 28/02/2017 07:27

We always avoid it. What's the point of it, if you're cooking from scratch anyway it's completely unnecessary and I don't believe this whole thing if it being harmless. When back in my husbands home country, where I used to live, I come out in hives if they put MSG in my meal. Fake, weird, shit.

shovetheholly · 28/02/2017 07:32

This thread is making me feel a whole load less guilty about chip spice!

JungleInTheRumble · 28/02/2017 07:38

MSG was originally derived in Japan from a kind of seaweed iirc it was described by some guy who wanted to find out what gave dashi (a Japanese soup) it's savoury flavour. He was curious that it didn't fit into the classic sweet, sour, bitter, salty etc. It's the fifth taste - umami (msg).

Common foods containing umami - parmesan cheese, tomatoes...Foods that have that lovely savoury taste. I'd be inclined to treat msg as I treat salt. Used sparingly for seasoning if not provided by the constituent ingredients I don't see a reason not to use it.