MSG is a flavor enhancer, one of the most common food additives, and a staple in the Standard American Diet, which has a very fitting acronym (SAD).

It shows up in all sorts of places, both obvious and hidden. For example, MSG is often disguised on food labels as “natural flavors”). MSG is also one of the biggest enemies to those who are trying to attain (and maintain) an ideal weight. Numerous studies have linked MSG intake with unhealthy weight levels and obesity.

Animal studies show that MSG can cause lesions in the hypothalamus region of the brain and leptin resistance (meaning tested animals don’t respond to the hormone signal letting them know they’re full), which leads to unhealthy weight gain. Then there are other studies that show mice become overweight when injected with MSG.

Still more research demonstrates that in a study where calorie consumption and exercise were equal, the group of men and women who used MSG were more likely to be overweight than the group that did not.

Another study performed by the University of North Carolina showed a correlation between MSG intake and obesity in Chinese adults. They found that the study group who used the most MSG was three times more likely to be overweight than nonusers.

Need more proof that you should avoid MSG at all costs? In addition to being tied to obesity, MSG is likely associated with numerous other serious symptoms and health conditions including: diabetes, depression, heart disease, cancer, celiac, migraines, digestive upsets, infertility, ADD, inflammation, and possibly even asthma.

MSG may also be addictive. It affects a neurotransmitter (chemical messenger) called GABA, which stimulates the brain.

A desire for this sensation can, in turn, cause MSG addiction.

Convinced yet?

Despite these studies and scientists’ warnings to “…abstain from adding the popular flavoring agent MSG,” this obesity additive keeps popping up in many processed foods.

Now that you’re in the know, the next step is to avoid MSG; unfortunately, this isn’t always easy. As we’ve already discussed, not only are tons of foods loaded with MSG in obvious ways (meaning a food label clearly states that MSG or monosodium glutamate is included), but MSG is also HIDDEN in many foods.

To save you from the detective work necessary to hunt down these ingredients, here’s a list of some culprits. (Keep in mind that some of the following items always contain MSG, while others may or may not contain it. To be on the safe side, you should consider eliminating these items from your diet altogether.) Suspect ingredients include: monosodium glutamate, MSG, glutamate, yeast extract, hydrolyzed protein, glutamic acid, autolyzed yeast, and maltodextrin. There are others, but this is a good start.

Processed foods are much more likely to contain MSG, so steer as clear of them as you can. Also, try to avoid non-organic produce, because MSG-containing products are sometimes used as sprays and fertilizers for those fruits and vegetables. If nothing else, be sure to wash all produce carefully.

I hope you got some benefit from this article. I sure enjoyed writing it for you. Now if you want even more food tips to lose belly fat even faster… be sure to click on the banner below to read an article I wrote about “7 Odd Nutrients That Burn Fat, Fast”…

7 Odd Nutrients That Burn Fat, Fast < ====== CLICK HERE

Sincerely,
Coach Josh

P.S. Please leave your comments and questions to this question below… “Do you have any foods in your kitchen that have monosodium glutamate, MSG, glutamate, yeast extract, hydrolyzed protein, glutamic acid, autolyzed yeast, or Maltodextrin on the label?” (Be sure to check salad dressings.)

Five random people who answer this question will receive a FREE bottle of a our popular anti-aging product called ResVer XP that harnesses the power of Resveratrol—the breakthrough anti-aging ingredient derived from red wine. (A $49.95 value!) Winners will be announced in the next email.

ARTICLE <<<<  Are You Eating These Two Unhealthy Diet Foods?

By Laura CaJacob

When considering buying a product, on what do you base your decision?  One place you should not look is the front of the package.  The front label on a packaged food was created to persuade you to buy it with clever marketing.  The company paid an advertising expert to design the colors, words and facts to appeal to you specifically.  It is their only chance to persuade you into choosing their product over the one next to it.  Don’t be fooled!

Where should you look then?  Flip that food over and read the parts of the label that is highly regulated by the U.S. government: the nutrition facts and the ingredients.  Below are a couple of examples.

Muscle Milk Light Bars

The front of the package definitely has some appeal.  The words “muscle” and “light” definitely draw people in who are interested in losing fat.  Often times, the purpose of a bar is to fight hunger, so “smart hunger control” makes sense to me.  It also has zero lactose and a solid 15g of protein.  This bar looks like a winner.

Not so fast.  This basic snack bar has a whopping 56 ingredients, 4 of which are varieties of hydrogenated oil.  Partially hydrogenated oil, also known as trans fat, has been linked to increased risk of heart disease, cancer and other health issues.  Trans fat is so bad for you that its use is actually banned in California and New York City.

Better Choice: Kind Bars – These bars are not only delicious, but they are made primarily of nuts, fruit and honey with absolutely no trans fat. (Another great choice is an organic trail mix with a variety of nuts and a little dried fruit.)

Special K Cereal

Special K does an incredible job at specifically marketing to women who want to lose weight.  They have various campaigns that inspire females to get started with weight loss by making a healthier choice.  The graphic of the tape measure, with the promise of 6 pounds is tempting, but don’t fall for it.  Special K, unfortunately, is not a healthy choice.

Sugar in the form of “corn syrup”, “honey”, “molasses” or just “sugar” is listed 16 different times in the ingredients.  Special K Fruit & Yogurt has more sugar (15g per cup) than the original sugary breakfast cereal Trix (13g per cup) which most of us would not choose as a healthy option.

Better Choice: Kashi Golden Goodness Original – With just 6g of sugar per cup plus all natural ingredients, this is the better alternative for a flaky cereal. (Slow cooked oatmeal is also a great alternative and is one of my favorite flat-belly foods!)

In general, stay away from processed foods that specifically market to an audience who is trying to lose weight.  Instead, choose real foods that need no marketing because they speak for themselves.  Everyone knows an apple is healthy; it doesn’t have to say “Low calorie, Low Fat, Low Sodium” on the peel in a florescent color.  Aim to mostly buy foods without a package.  If you do buy something in a package, make sure to carefully read the nutrition facts and the ingredients.

<<< Josh’s Comment

I totally agree with Laura that all of us need to focus on buying more foods that aren’t pre-packaged. When you do, you will see a big difference in your health and weight without focusing on calorie counting or extreme diets.

I hope you enjoyed this article. Make it a great day!

With Energy,
Coach Josh

P.S. Want to learn more tricks on getting a flat-belly fast? Click on the banner below to read an article I wrote about “7 Odd Nutrients That Burn Fat, Fast”…

Baked Sweet Potato “Fries”

If the only way you’re used to eating sweet potatoes is in a Thanksgiving casserole, you’re missing out on a very nutritious vegetable. Packed with beta carotene, sweet potatoes have a great flavor that can accompany a variety of dishes.

Ingredients
½ teaspoon ground cumin
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 large sweet potatoes

Directions

1. In a small bowl, combine the cumin, salt, and pepper. Set the bowl aside.
2. Preheat the oven to 400˚ F.
3. Peel the potatoes, cut each in half lengthwise, and cut each half into 6 wedges. In a large bowl, combine the cut potatoes, oil, and spice mixture. Toss until the potatoes are evenly coated.
4. On a baking sheet, arrange the potatoes in a single layer and place them on the middle shelf of the oven. Bake until the edges are crisp and the potatoes are cooked through, about 30 minutes. Serve immediately.

Print and Download “Baked Sweet Potato Fries” Recipe

My Favorite Lasagna

This lasagna is one of my personal favorites. Using an all-natural pre-made sauce saves time, and nobody knows the difference!

Ingredients
1 8-ounce box of whole wheat lasagna noodles
1 10-ounce jar of marinara sauce (choose an all-natural sauce like Barilla, Bertolli, or Newman’s Own)
1 pound lean ground beef or ground white turkey breast (96% lean)
1 24-ounce carton low-fat cottage cheese (1% or less)
1 ½ cup mozzarella (2%), shredded

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 350˚ F.
2. Begin boiling the water for the lasagna noodles. When it’s ready, cook the noodles per the package directions. While you’re doing that, brown the ground beef until it’s completely cooked. Break it up into small pieces and season them lightly with salt and pepper.
3. Combine the browned beef and marinara sauce in a medium bowl.
4. Once the noodles are cooked and drained, in a lightly greased 9 x 13 casserole dish, begin your layers: put a very light coating of the marinara-beef mixture on the bottom; then place one layer of noodles over that; followed by a layer of sauce; then cottage cheese; and, finally, mozzarella cheese. Repeat these layers, making sure the top layer is cheese.
5. Bake for about one hour (depends on your oven).

Print and Download “My Favorite Lasagna” Recipe

“Fried” Chicken Tenders

Kids love this recipe, which offers up all the crunch of fried chicken minus the fat. Try dipping the chicken tenders in organic ranch-style dressing for even more flavor.

Ingredients
1 pound chicken tenderloins
2 cups plain low-fat yogurt
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon pepper
½ teaspoon paprika
2 cups panko bread crumbs or corn flake crumbs

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 350˚ F.
2. In a pie plate or shallow dish, mix the seasonings into the yogurt.
3. Put the bread crumbs in another shallow dish. Dip each chicken tender in yogurt, let the excess drip off, and gently roll the tenderloin in crumbs.
4. Bake the chicken tenders on a cookie sheet lined with foil for 15 to 18 minutes. The chicken will be done when the juices run clear.

Print and Download “Fried” Chicken Tenders Recipe

By incorporating healthy eating habits and making sure you eat nutrient-rich foods that target specific deficiencies, you can improve the appearance, texture and overall condition of your hair in a jiffy.

When it comes to a healthy body, there are dozens of foods that are chock full of the vital Vitamins and minerals that we need for good health. When it comes to healthy hair, these 6 specific foods stand out above the rest.

1. Chickpeas

Toss them in a salad or grind them up to make some fresh hummus. Eat them however you like…just eat them. Why? High in folate and zinc, chickpeas are full of iron-fortified, non-animal protein. Protein is essential for hair growth. And chickpeas are full of keratins—hardened proteins that coat the hair, keeping it strong and protecting it from breakage.

2. Chicken

But not just any chicken… The non-fried, non-breaded, non-fast food kind. For healthier hair, throw a piece of boneless, skinless chicken breast on the grill. Whether you eat your chicken hot off the grill or slice it up and toss it on top of a fresh greens salad, this high protein dish provides an abundance of the B Vitamins folate, B6 and B12.

These Vitamins are crucial for maintaining healthy hair. Without them, you will not produce enough red blood cells to transport oxygen and other nutrients throughout the body. Without the proper delivery of nutrients, the scalp and hair follicles are left weak and starved, which leads to slow or stunted hair growth, shedding and weak strands.

3. Beans

Legumes, like lentils and kidney beans, are an important part of healthy hair care because they are full of folate and iron, 2 nutrients that play an important role in producing and maintaining healthy locks.

The B Vitamin folate is important because it helps to produce red blood cells. Iron is what helps those blood cells transport oxygen and other nutrients throughout the body. Hair loss is a common symptom of iron-deficiency anemia, a condition in which there is not enough iron to deliver nutrients to the cells in the body. Add this iron-rich food to your diet to prevent hair loss and strengthen your tresses.

4. Strawberries

Move over oranges, there’s a new fruit in town. The high level of Vitamin C in strawberries helps to keep collagen healthy. Collagen is the fiber that maintains the hair structure, prevents split ends and strengthens strands. A Vitamin C deficiency, even if it is mild, can cause hair to dry out and split at the ends, making it more susceptible to breakage. All it takes is 8 strawberries to meet the recommended daily allowance for Vitamin C, so eat up.

5. Peanuts

Another B Vitamin, biotin is important for hair growth and a healthy scalp. Because our bodies naturally produce biotin, an actual deficiency is unlikely. With that said, it can’t hurt to fill up on some biotin-rich foods to boost your overall hair health. The number one choice? Peanuts. Not only are they full of biotin, they are also high in folate, giving them an extra healthy hair boost.

6. Kale

Kale is an iron-rich food that is also very high in Beta carotene. Beta carotene is converted by the body into Vitamin A. This important Vitamin helps improve hair health in 2 ways.

First, Vitamin A is essential for cell growth and replenishment. This includes the cells of the scalp. If scalp cells cannot regenerate, you are left with dull, limp hair and a dry, itchy scalp. Second, Vitamin A is responsible for the production of sebum. Sebum is an oily substance that is produced by the hair follicles and is nature’s own conditioning treatment for the hair.

The best way to improve the health of your hair is to eat a healthy diet. Stocking up on food for healthy hair can improve the condition of your hair in a relatively short amount of time. The combination of high quality proteins, fresh fruits and vegetables, nuts and legumes will ensure your hair is receiving all the nutrients it needs to be healthy and strong.

I hope you enjoyed this information as much as I did writing it for you!

To looking and feeling great!
Coach Josh

P.S. Looking for a QUALITY multi-vitamin and mineral that will provide the nutrients you need for healthy hair and a healthy body? Click on the link below now…

A New Vitamin For Healthy Hair < ==== Click Here