Was it MSG in my Chinese food last night?

Question

I have a terribly sensitive stomach (IBS, lactose, etc) and think that a chinese place down the road may have used MSG (Monosodium Glutamate?) in our food the other night.
We had House Lo Mein & Egg drop soup

Other than myself and my little girl having the runs, is there any way to tell (preferably BEFORE we eat) that they used the stuff?
Can we ask when we order that it not be used? Or is that a sure way to ensure that "something else" may end up in our food instead?

Answer 1

Those two items you mentioned, Lo Mein and Egg drop soup should have relatively low msg levels.

However, most chinese restaurants will skip the use of MSG upon request... Also, most Chinese restaurants stopped adding MSG because of people's sensitivities- usually their menus tout that point boldly.

Also, MSG is used in a lot of processed foods and sometimes only identified as "flavoring" or "flavor enhancers".

It sounds like you may have gotten a bad batch of food.

Answer 2

Jen, MSG doesn't give you the runs, it makes you tired and loopy.

I experienced the same problem that you have the last 2 times I ate Chinese food. I won't eat it any more, no matter how cheap or convenient.

My Dad has severe allergies to MSG and it makes him tired, gives him headaches, etc., but never the runs.

When they came to visit me in November, I called all of my favorite restaurants and asked them to check their kitchens for ingredients containing MSG. Some refused, others were happy to do it.

MSG, or Accent, is a common ingredient in Asian cooking. Just stay away from those restaurants altogether.

Answer 3

You poor things!
It sounds more like a case of food poisoning to me. Its really hard to tell though, it could have been just a sensitivity, for you that sounds pretty likely.
These days I've noticed a lot of restaurants, Asian in particular, wil put a sign on the menu 'MSG Free', you could keep a look out for one like that. But MSG does occur naturally in food, ie tomatoes.
Other than that, you could ask them not to add it, but the chances are its already been added in the prep work.

Answer 4

Chinese food has a lot of MSG in it. The egg drop soup could have been bad as well. MSG is found in a lot of things so unless this is ongoing I would say it is how it was prepared. Spaghetti sauce, taco seasoning all has MSG in it too.

Answer 5

yes msg is used in AMERICANIZED asian cuisine.. its purpose is to enhance the flavor of the spices used... and yes it could have been the msg but i doubt that it was the only problem you should call the restraunt and tell them about it and then ask what was used in the food to figure out if they used anything that could have upset your stomach...
egg drop soup is nothing but water salt sesame oil hon dashi pepper.. thats it so i dont think it was the soup.. you should ask about the lo mein... they prob. use a powder that is used for flavoring and that might be the prob

Answer 6

MSG wouldn't ordinarily cause the symptoms you're experiencing. If you had those symptoms within about four hours of eating, there's a good chance you were the victim of mild food poisoning; if it was the next day or so, then chances are good that you and your daughter were simply exposed to stomach flu. If in doubt, don't go back to the restaurant!

Answer 7

MSG is commonly used in Asian cuisine. Yes you can always ask that it not be used and most Chinese restaraunts will not be offended by the request.

Answer 8

MSG is commonly used in Asian cuisine. Yes you can always ask that it not be used and most Chinese restaraunts will not be offended by the request.

Answer 9

Probaby. Unless the place specifically says no MSG, they can leave it out of specially-ordered dishes, but it's already in yoru soups and eggrolls (stuff prepared ahead of time).

The only way to tell before you order is to ASK.

Answer 10

well usually msg makes your head pound because it has so much sodium. It doesnt sounds like it was only msg. That chinese place should be checked out.