Is there anyone who doesn’t like ranch dressing? I even used to dip my pizza in it back in college. And what parent hasn’t used it to entice little ones to eat a few raw veggies? Well, there’s a reason it tastes so good and that reason’s initials are MSG. Monosodium Glutamate is a flavor enhancer used in dressings, soups, frozen entrees, and other processed food items such as potato chips – not plain fried potatoes, but sour cream and onion, cheddar cheese, and RANCH flavored ones! Glutamate is an amino acid which is harmless when consumed in an intact protein, but when separated from that protein by chemical means or fermentation (then it becomes MSG) , it becomes toxic to cells – namely nervous system cells. I found numerous websites warning against the dangers of consuming products that contain MSG – complete with references to research. The only site I found that assured Americans that it is safe to eat was the FDA website! I realize that it has never been proven that by consuming small amounts of it directly leads to any neurological disorder or physical impairments, but why eat something that is as questionable as this? If you want to be really alarmed and horrified then click here.
And here.
I have tried to remove it completely from our diets just to be completely safe. A few years back, my friend Mya gave me a homemade dry mix for ranch dressing. I couldn’t believe how much like the brand name it tasted. I had thought it would be impossible to replicate the flavor, but I was wrong! Here’s the recipe – try it and see for yourself!

Homemade Ranch Dressing Mix

Thank you, Mya. And congrats on little Madeleine! 🙂