You May Not Want to Eat Pizza Ever Again..

You might not want to eat pizza ever again after reading this post. At least, I don't, that's for sure!

Food Babe has recently posted an investigation into the mysteries of what ingredients make up America's favorite classic dish. No, not the hamburger, the other dish! Pizza!

Vani visited a few different pizza chains such as Mellow  Mushroom, California Pizza Kitchen, and Little Caesars to inquire about the actual ingredients used to make their pizza. What did she find out? Well, nothing. The reason being because they simply refused to tell her anything due to their "policies"! So, what would these companies have to hide from the people? The answer may frighten you. Perhaps, some of them did not even know the ingredients themselves.

So what's the hidden ingredient? None other than the imfamous MSG or monosodium glutamate. You mayhave  not even heard of this chemical before, but allow me to explain: MSG is the salt of the amino acid called Glutamic Acid.

You may ask why must companies feel the need to add this chemical into our foods? For very selfish reasons of course. It tricks your tongue into making you think a certain food is high in protein and thus nutritious. It tricks your brain into thinking you want more and more of the food, thus becoming addicted to it. It's no different than nicotine or caffeine in this controlling aspect. The purpose is to help us discern real food from inedible matter.  It changes your perception of not simply taste but the nutritious qualities of what you put into your mouth.

According to MSGtruth.org, "MSG stimulates the pancreas to produce insulin" to keep you feeling hungrier than ever and to keep coming back for more when your blood sugar drops. They explain that "so many diets these days are concerned about the Glycemic Index of foods and yet none of them address the fact that MSG and free glutamic acid stimulate the pancreas to release insulin when there doesn't even have to be carbohydrates in the food for that insulin to act on.  The food industry has found their own "anti-appetite suppressant"

Another reason why companies like adding MSG to their foods is because it is fairly cheap to do so. It enables the food processor to utilize less and less real food in their ingredients. Think of this as a mirage or an illusion for that matter.  In the end, you get ripped off while the big companies make all of the money. Sound fair? Didn't think so!

Are there any side effects of MSG? Absolutely! MSG has been linked to depression, Alzheimer's disease, obesity, headaches, and more. Yikes!! Okay, sorry to get off  of the subject of the actual pizza!

Here is an infographic with some other ingredients containing MSG:

Now, let's get back to it because there are more yucky ingredients in your average pizza than just MSG. GMO Soybean Oil is also found in pizza, which is usually within the crust and sauce. Cellulose is found within the cheese used on pizzas. Butylated Hydroxytoluene, better known as an ingredient in embalming fluid and jet fuel is found in pepperoni which is highly toxic to your organs. The list goes on, but quite frankly, my toes are curling at the moment!

For the safest bet when eating out at a pizza restaurant, Vani recommends that it is good to stick with a veggie pizza without the cheese since so much MSG is typically found in meats. Even at most places, the sauce and crust are still questionable, though. Ask the restaurant if they use soybean oil or soybean products and if they can leave it out. She also recommends skipping any shake-on ingredients such as the Parmesan Cheese(sigh).

Do not fret, there is hope in sight! You can still have your pizza AND eat it too. You hear that, Justin?

Have you ever thought about home-making your pizza instead? Check out Food Babe's homemade pizza recipe and give it a try! Making your own food at home is the best and sure way to know exactly what you are eating and finally have some peace of mind.

Photo Sources: Zagat & Healthy Holistic Living