MSG - Monosodium Glutamate

I can't tolerate MSG and avoid it when I can read a label. It makes me dizzy and nauseous. Sometimes after I eat some foods I feel the same way and after reading an email this morning about MSG - I think I know what is going on. MSG or Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein [another name or MSG] is in a lot of food we eat at home or eat in both fast and slow food places. Ask for the ingredient list and see if MSG or Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein is listed in any of the foods on your plate. You might be surprised.

What does MSG do? It makes food "taste better." This is from the The Glutamate Association

They tout it as a health benefit especially for older people as it causes them to eat more. I'm not sure I would equate eating more with better nutrition. And if they think it's good for adults - do they think it's good for children?

What the email I got showed, and which was a greater concern, is that MSG is addictive and is related to obesity. It is akin to nicotine - a known additive that creates an addiction but that no one wants to admit to. It would mean taking on the food industry.

Try this: Go here National Library of Medicine and type in the words "MSG Obese." You can then read a few of the over 100 medical studies that appear.

So is MSG a reason we have an obese population? I do not expect to get a truthful answer from the MSG lobbyists. But you might want to take a much more careful look at labels and ingredient lists when you are feeding your children.

And now this

LONDON (Reuters) - Childhood obesity rates will soar dramatically in most parts of the world by the end of the decade and raise the risk of diabetes in young people, health experts said on Monday.

By 2010 the number of overweight and obese youngsters in the European Union nations is expected to hit 26 million. An estimated 20,000 obese youngsters will have type 2 diabetes, a previously adult disease.

Over a million children will show signs of high blood pressure, raised cholesterol levels or early indicators for cardiovascular disease.

Please parents - it is not good for your child to be "chubby" or "fat." There are good foods that are available and they are mostly, in fact, cheaper than the fast food we let our kids eat.....2010 is FOUR [4] years away and it means that almost half the children will be obese at that time!

Exercise helps - as does better food - set an example for your family...be healthy - for everyone's sake - not just the kids.....

So what else is "new" news?

Fruits, vegetables not as nutritious as 50 years ago

By LANCE GAY
SCRIPPS HOWARD NEWS SERVICE

In spite of what Mother taught you about the benefits of eating broccoli, data collected by the U.S. government show that the nutritional content of America's vegetables and fruits has declined during the past 50 years -- in some cases dramatically.

Full article is here

Gee – I knew this years ago but I am glad the world is catching up with the fact that our growing crops for quick shipping to stores is not only killing the soil it is producing fruit and veggies that aren’t as nutritious.

So what do we do? Spend all day eating fruit and vegetable in order to get the nutrition we need? Or eat supplements?

Local organic produce is a good answer but it does not work if you live in a cold climate. If your “fresh” food is shipped to your local store – chances are that it ripened “en transit” - and the best nutrients come from vine/tree-ripened produce – not truck-ripened produce ☺

If you want information about phytonutrients [that’s the good stuff in your fruits and vegetables] go here then click "yes" when you see my picture.

For your children and grandchildren this product might taste better [again click yes under my photo]