Author Topic: vita64's intro thread  (Read 8173 times)

Offline vita64

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vita64's intro thread
« on: July 30, 2013, 11:17:21 AM »
I'm suffering from something known as benzodiazepine withdrawal syndrome. There's a Wiki article if you want to know more about it. One of the symptoms of it is an increased sensitivity to just about everything. I wasn't MSG sensitive before, but I certainly am now.

As someone who's new to this, my biggest challenge is figuring out what to buy at the grocery store. If I were rich, it would be easier. I'd just start shopping at Whole Paycheck, er, Whole Foods. (Yes, I know I'd still have to read labels there, but I think there'd be a better chance of actually finding some safe things.) However, I'm not rich. Money is tight and my grocery budget is what it is.

There are a lot of lists about what not to buy, but as that seems to be just about everything, I'm thinking it would be more helpful to have a specific list of things that I could safely purchase. I'll give an example.

There's a chicken soup recipe that I make all of the time. I tried to shop for it this past week. I wasn't able to find MSG-free chicken broth or MSG-free tortellini. So I had to abandon the recipe. Since then, a friend has told me that Whole Foods carries Pacific brand chicken broth which is MSG-free. While I can't afford to buy all of my groceries at Whole Foods, I think I could manage stocking up on that chicken broth. That would return some recipes to me.

I also need some help figuring out how to eat out safely. I already know the basic things: bring your own salad dressing, best to avoid chain restaurants, sauces are suspect, etc. However, I recently went out to Macaroni Grill with a friend. I managed to order safely off their menu. However, they serve this delicious rosemary bread with every meal. I didn't have any that evening, but took it home with me. Bad move. That bread put me out of commission for a day.

Thanks for reading.

Offline Sassafras

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Re: vita64's intro thread
« Reply #1 on: August 08, 2013, 11:28:11 AM »
Vita,

I would like to welcome you to the Forum [welcome] and I would like to give you a big thumbs up  (BD)b on your post. Fabulous post!!  d(BD)b Thank you!

 W==(:D)== W==(:D)== W==(:D)==


Your post and my reply:

I'm suffering from something known as benzodiazepine withdrawal syndrome. There's a Wiki article if you want to know more about it. One of the symptoms of it is an increased sensitivity to just about everything. I wasn't MSG sensitive before, but I certainly am now.

I never heard of "benzodiazepine withdrawal syndrome", but I have heard of addictions to some anti-depressant medications which I read a list of on Wikipedia and I'm aware that the withdrawals can be difficult.  So, I was aware of this syndrome without knowing its name.

Quote
As someone who's new to this, my biggest challenge is figuring out what to buy at the grocery store. If I were rich, it would be easier. I'd just start shopping at Whole Paycheck, er, Whole Foods. (Yes, I know I'd still have to read labels there, but I think there'd be a better chance of actually finding some safe things.) However, I'm not rich. Money is tight and my grocery budget is what it is.

Grocery buying can be tedious when shopping for the right foods, but you don't have to go to an over-priced market for your food.  Actually, I tell people the foods sold in health/organic foods marts, e.g. Trader Joe's, ARE NOT necessarily safe for people with MSG sensitivity.  For example, autolyzed yeast extract can be purchased by the bag fulls at these places even though the damaging effects are 3 times worse than MSG.  Why is it sold?  Because it enhancers the flavor of food.  Not everyone shows symptoms, and if so, then there is a pill or treatment for the symptoms.  Note: That pill/treatment might contain more of the same nasties which should be avoided, e.g. fake sugar and other flavor enhancers.

OK.  Back on topic....  Grocery shopping at places like Walmart, Meijer, Publix, Safeway, Alberton's, etc. can supply your needs.  You might not be able purchase the sale items, but you can find foods with the least ingredients or rather foods without the symptomizing flavor enhancers common to Excitotoxin Sensitivity Syndrome (ESS).

This list of ingredients to avoid is small but very helpful.  For a more complete list, go to http://www.saynotomsg.com/basics_list.php :

Ingredients to Avoid:
Monosodium glutamate MSG
(Hydrolyzed) plant or vegetable protein
e.g. Soy | Corn | Whey
Vegetable Broth (Soy Protein)
Soy/ Whey protein concentrate
(Autolyzed) yeast extract Any extract -Spice/Bark/Leaf
e.g. Extractives of Paprika
Carrageenan
Sodium/ Calcium Caseinate
Disodium Guanylate
Disodium Inosinate Aspartame | NutraSweet|
Splenda | Saccharin | Maltodextrin |Acesulfame Potassium -Any Fake Sugar
Or Sugar Alcohol e.g. Sorbitol
If in Low Quantity, can be OK: Citric Acid | Xanthum Gum
Propylene glycol alginate |
Natural/ Artificial Flavor(s) | Gelatin

Quote
There are a lot of lists about what not to buy, but as that seems to be just about everything, I'm thinking it would be more helpful to have a specific list of things that I could safely purchase. I'll give an example.

OK.  As a fellow sufferer of MSG and other excitotoxins and flavor enhancers, I would love a list or make up a list of items which are safe to eat, but the food industry and the flavor enhancer industry and the inventors of new flavors industry and the "let's improve this" so I have a job tomorrow industry have my hands tied with all the NEW stuff and the IMPROVED stuff that it would be impossible to make such a list and keep it current.  Like you said earlier, you have to read the ingredients.  You even have to read the ingredients on items you are familiar with because someone in the "improve" department might have changed something.

Quote
There's a chicken soup recipe that I make all of the time. I tried to shop for it this past week. I wasn't able to find MSG-free chicken broth or MSG-free tortellini. So I had to abandon the recipe. Since then, a friend has told me that Whole Foods carries Pacific brand chicken broth which is MSG-free. While I can't afford to buy all of my groceries at Whole Foods, I think I could manage stocking up on that chicken broth. That would return some recipes to me.

I did a bit of research on Pacific brand.  Don't buy it!!!  They use the word "organic" way to much and they are liars either through their choice of words or their ignorance.  By the way, they DO NOT claim to be MSG-free.  They list a whole bunch of allergies they are concerned with, but MSG and other excitotoxins are not one of them.

The only ready-made stock I have found to be acceptable is Kitchen Basics brand.  On the other hand, you could make your own chicken stock by boiling a chicken.  Just a thought.

Also, "MSG-Free" doesn't mean the item is free of flavor enhancers.  That is why you have to read the ingredients even on packages with this designation.  Also be concerned with "No MSG Added".

As for tortellini.  I would be very cautious when purchasing this item.  If I were you, I would substitute it for pasta or make your own.  The meat filled tortellini would be the biggest problem because of all the hiding places for flavor enhancers/excitotoxins.  The cheese filled tortellini might be your best bet.  BUT, I have not done any research on either of these items.  My suggestion, look up some brands on the internet and read the ingredients.  Most food-makers will provide this information for you.  The ones that don't, I figure are being nefarious and don't deserve my business in the first place.

Quote
I also need some help figuring out how to eat out safely. I already know the basic things: bring your own salad dressing, best to avoid chain restaurants, sauces are suspect, etc. However, I recently went out to Macaroni Grill with a friend. I managed to order safely off their menu. However, they serve this delicious rosemary bread with every meal. I didn't have any that evening, but took it home with me. Bad move. That bread put me out of commission for a day.

Thanks for reading.

I eat out almost all the time.  I have narrowed down my sit-down chain restaurants to Bob Evan's and Denny's.  Fast food restaurants would be Wendy's and Subway.  At these restaurants, I have very specific items or created dishes I order.  I am trying to create a help guide on SayNOtoMSG.com, but it is slow going.  You have the idea by staying away from dressings and sauces, but include gravies, soups, anything seasoned or spiced e.g. order a plain chicken breast instead of the breaded or seasoned one, and stay away from diet sodas and fake sugar and creamer for your coffee.  When all else fails, breakfast is a good options with the exception of pancakes and seasoned potatoes.  At Wendy's, I get the Baconator and fries.  NO shakes or ice creamed desserts.  Subway, no lettuce or spinach.  I have the Black Forest Ham sub on wheat, no condiments.

BTW, most pizza joints are ok, just as long as you exclude ground sausage from your pizza.


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Vita,  I hope I have answered your most pertinent questions and concerns.  If I have over-looked something, please let me know.  If you found out some new and improved information, please share.   ::D

Remember this:  Labels such as MSG-Free, No MSG Added, Organic, and All Natural ARE NOT helpful for those people with MSG-sensitivity.  They simply don't concern us.

Warmly,
Sassafras


It is not for him to pride himself who loveth his own country, but rather for him who loveth the whole world. The earth is but one country, and mankind its citizens. ~~Baha'u'llah

The chief idols in the desecrated temple of mankind are none other than the triple gods of Nationalism, Racialism and Communism, at whose altars governments and peoples, whether democratic or totalitarian, at peace or at war, of the East or of the West, Christian or Islamic, are, in various forms and in different degrees, now worshiping. ~~Shoghi Effendi, The Promised Day is Come