Care to share an MSG free recipe?

Question

I have recently found out that i cannot eat anything with MSG, tyramine or aspartame due to Chronic Paroxysmal Hemicrania (a type of cluster headeache.) I have almost always cooked everything out of boxes and cans and rarely if ever made fresh food so I am somewhat at a loss, especially when I found out there are 40 different ways to label MSG approved by the FDA. :( 

Would anyone be willing to share MSG free recipes they might have? I'm new to Chow so not quite sure if I need to include my email address here or if ya'll can put the recipes in replies. Hope ya'll are havinga great day! Christina

Answer

Oh, honey--you have my utter sympathy. 

Yep, you will just have to learn to cook, no more boxes for you, and no more Cheetos, Doritos, etc. Shop the outsdie edges of the grocery store--avoid those aisles with the mac and cheese, Hamburger Helper. 

Most recipes made with real food (fruits, veggies, meat, grains, pasta) do not have MSG. Start with something simple, like grilled chicken breast and steamed broccoli, and work your way up to more complex foods. Making grilled chicken breast and broccoli won't take ANY more time than the 'convenience' foods you have been eating.


So, any recipe will do--what do you like to eat?

Answer

Chowhound offers a special board for issues such as this. If you post your issue at:
http://chowhound.chow.com/boards/90
You may receive a wider range of input to your question.

Answer

You will probably need to be careful in avoiding aged and fermented foods and alcohol - like soy sauce and fish sauce, cured meats, aged cheeses - all of which are high in tyramines. Unfortunately, these things also bring a lot of flavor to home cooking. You'll definitely want to read up on foods you need to skip and then, as others have suggested, start with the basics. Luckily, all herbs and spices should be okay for you, and you'll be able to have plenty of fresh, flavorful food.

Answer

Hi, sorry you having issues. It sounds like it might be glutamate in general that you are trying to avoid? Not just MSG. So many cheeses, mushrooms, tomatoes and many meats and beans should be avoided. You can get charts of glutamate content of food/100g but it is probably best to speak to a professional to ascertain what levels you should be avoiding.

Answer

I also have a severe reaction to MSG and found out that it is in my best interest go avoid MSG and all the different ways it's labeled. 

Any suggestions would be accepted as I am in uncharted territory... :(

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