Dining out with HappyCow:
Tips to uncovering a hidden ingredient on our plates
Monosodium Glutamate, commonly known as "MSG," is a white crystal substance used to enhance flavors and can be found in PRE-MADE sauces, dressings, packaged foods, and canned soups. MSG is most often added to bottled sauces used in Asian style cooking, but it can be found in some packaged and processed foods sold in the Western countries. |
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Although not everyone is allergic to MSG, this additive has been found to cause headaches, fatigue, and allergic reactions in some people with in 1 hour after having ingested it.
Often times, when a restaurant advertises that it does not use MSG, it may mean that no MSG is added to the food prepared in the restaurant kitchen, but this does not exclude the possibility of MSG already added ("hidden") in the pre-made sauces and packages.
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Tip 1: To avoid MSG when dining out, ask your waiter if the sauce or dressing used in your dish is made in the restaurant kitchen, or if it's pre-made ask your waiter to check the ingredient labels for you. When in doubt, consider ordering foods that are light (like steamed veggies) rather than something that is heavily drenched in sauce such as an Asian style stirfry.
Tip 2: When shopping the grocery isles, read the ingredient labels carefully. MSG is often disguised as something else, such as "hydrolyzed vegetable protein," "natural flavor," "natural ingredients," "yeast extract," and by other names... more about MSG
Did you know that...
The Vegetarian Resource Group estimates that the number of vegetarians has doubled since 1997 in USA alone? As of 2006, there were an estimated 4.8 million vegetarians with more than one-third of them vegan.
Start the New Year Right by Taking Charge of Your Health
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If you are eating a healthy vegetarian diet yet still not feeling fully energetic, or if you feel low vitality, or your mood is not as high as it should be, consider that you may still be missing some key nutrients your body needs.
Accordingly to Dr. Ray Sahelian from Physicians Formulas, even if you consume a great vegetarian diet, or are feeling fine, you may still be missing some key nutrients. You should consider taking a medical doctor formulated supplement product that supplies the missing nutrients in your diet.
Dr. Sahelian has formulated the dietary supplement VEG-RX that is made specifically for vegetarians or those who eat very little meat, fish and foul, and for anyone who may be missing or getting inadequate amounts of crucial nutrients for optimal health including vitamin B12, iron, creatine, carnitine, and several others...
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Explore Malaysia with Veg Voyages
(part 4 of 5 series)
Join Veg Voyages on their Rainforests, Reefs, Cultures & Cuisines adventure. Journey into the heart of peninsular Malaysia - explore the wilds of one of the oldest rainforests in the world and savor the serenity of Southeast Asia’s tropical islands. Malaysia is where the crossroads of some of Asia’s finest cultures and the rough colonial history of the Far East come to life! With spicy dishes influenced by Malay, Chinese, Thai, and Indian cuisines, Malaysia is a veritable culinary “melting pot” and is home to some of the tastiest vegetarian and vegan food in the world. In addition to plenty of mouthwatering vegetarian food, the adventure also includes yoga, snorkeling, hiking, boating, jungle treks, and more.
For more information visit: www.vegvoyages.com |
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This has to be the best holiday we have ever had!! -Richared Forder, Ely, Cambridgeshire, UK
Many many thanks for a fantastic holiday! -Deborah Doherty, London, UK... Read more
News Headlines
UN says livestock adding to climate change in a big way
A new report from the United Nations says that the world's rapidly expanding livestock herds are responsible for 18% of all greenhouse gases. This makes cattle "emissions" more damaging to the planet than carbon dioxide from cars.This alarming figure takes into account the clearing of rainforest and vegetation for grazing, the petroleum needed to produce fertilizers for animal feed, the fuel needed to produce and transport meat, and the gases created by manure and flatulence.
Full story at: http://www.organicconsumers.org/2006/article_3540.cfm
Mega consumer food products company sued for fraud
Kraft Foods Inc. is being sued for misleading consumers about a chemical concoction questionably labeled as "guacamole" dip. Although guacamole has been made for hundreds of years out of avocado, Kraft's chemical dip features hydrogenated oils, starch, food coloring, and other synthetics -- with less than 2% of the dip composed of avocado. According to Claire Regan, vice president of Kraft Foods corporate affairs, "We think consumers understand that [the guacamole] isn't made from avocado."
Full story at: http://www.organicconsumers.org/2006/article_3503.cfm
New York becomes 1st city in to ban trans fat
A ban on trans fat oil was recently passed by the New York City Department of Health in December 2006 and will take effect starting July this year. This ban is the first of its kind in the U.S. and is shaking up the restaurant and fast food industry. Artificial trans fat is made when hydrogen is added to vegetable oil, giving the oil a longer shelf living and giving better texture to some foods. Trans fat can be found in numerous food items from French fries to baked goods and salad dressings, and everything from McDonald's to Chinese takeout. Medical research has solidly linked trans fat to increased risk of heart disease, stroke, and death. (The Ephoch Times)
From our HappyCow family to yours,
we send best wishes for a healthy and blessed New Year.
Visit our world guide to vegetarian restaurant and health food stores: www.HappyCow.net
A special thanks to HappyCow FRIEND restaurants and stores.
Please forward MooZine to your friends, add to your websites, and post on your blogs.
All Contents Rights Reserved. 2007 HappyCow's Vegetarian Guide.
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