[Dillpicklechip]

As part of my (very) gradual switch to traditional foods, I've been trying to remove all food additives from my family's diet. Naturally one of the things I have been avoiding is MSG.

I used to buy canned chicken broth for making stir fries--but canned broth always contains MSG, so I don't buy it anymore. This week as I didn't have a chicken carcass to make broth I bought a carton of organic chicken broth. After I got home I noticed "yeast extract" on the ingredient list.

I looked it up on Wikipedia and it said that yeast extract is used in the same way as MSG. Is it safe?

 

[spartz]

It doesn't seem to have a very good reputation. Apparently it can cause the same kinds of problems that MSG does. But I doubt you need to run to your doctor over one-off consumption (unless you are really ill!).

 

[pampered_mom]

I know many folks would say "no", but in a pinch I guess I'd probably go with it. It really depends on how sensitive your family is to it, though.

 

[Dillpicklechip]

Okay, thanks.

 

[saratc]

Well I guess I'm picky, but I don't buy anything saying yeast extract. MSG was originally discovered as a byproduct of processing or cooking certain things. MSG is created when protein is either partially or fully broken apart into its constituent amino acids, or glutamic acid is secreted from selected bacteria. Thus manufacturers can claim no MSG added if they use instead an ingredient that when processed in a way will create MSG.

It all depends on how sensitive you are to MSG. I try to avoid it since it can cause a whole slew of health problems.

If a food contains the following, it contains MSG:
Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein (HVP), Textured Protein, Monopotassium glutamate, Hydrolyzed Plant Protein (HPP), Yeast Extract, Glutamate, Autolyzed Plant Protein, Yeast food or nutrient, Glutamic Acid, Sodium Caseinate, Autolyzed Yeast, Calcium Caseinate

 

[Dillpicklechip]

Quote:

Originally Posted by saratc If a food contains the following, it contains MSG: Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein (HVP), Textured Protein, Monopotassium glutamate, Hydrolyzed Plant Protein (HPP), Yeast Extract, Glutamate, Autolyzed Plant Protein, Yeast food or nutrient, Glutamic Acid, Sodium Caseinate, Autolyzed Yeast, Calcium Caseinate

I have seen that list before and I've been trying to avoid all that stuff. It's really hard. Virtually all ready-made and snack foods contain one of those. I was shocked the other day when I tried looking through the different snack foods (chips, pretzels, cheesies, etc) in the ORGANIC section of my grocery store, and EVERY PRODUCT contained some form of MSG. It was a forceful reminder for me that just because something says "organic" on the label doesn't mean you should eat it!

I kind of figured that yeast extract was a no-no, but I just wanted to make sure I wasn't going by false information.

I think I'm going to try harder to make sure my homemade stock is always in stock!

 

[Artemis85]

Yes, yeast extract is an organic food ingredient, it's 100% natural. It's very different from MSG but it's a good flavored enhancer.
Yeast extract contains an amount of naturally occurring Glutamic Acid or Monosodium Glutamate."