Lou's Clues: Subtracting the additives ... and make a cheaper, healthier meal

As you've probably guessed by now, I'm a big fan of home cooking. That's not to say that I don't enjoy a good meal out once in a while, or that I can't appreciate the convenience of the occasional microwave dinner, but chances are if I can make it from scratch, I will. And this isn't just a matter of pride -- it's a matter of health. This week I'm going to let you in on the wonderful world of FOOD ADDITIVES, and I'm not talking vitamins or artificial flavoring. I'm talking the chemicals you often find in processed foods that are no good for you.

Let's take a look at some of the nasty little things they're putting in our food:

MonoSodium Glutamate (MSG): You all know about this stuff, as in -- "I'll have the Chow Mein, but hold the MSG, please." But what harm does this stuff do besides leaving your head feeling like the world globe at Epcot? According to a noted author and neurosurgeon, Dr. Russell Blaylock, it seems that MSG and artificial sweeteners cause "excitotoxic" damage, which is to say, they kill sensitive neurons. Doesn't sound bad enough to you? Consider this: this kind of neuron death is a contributing cause to sudden cardiac death. Think avoiding the takeout from Golden Palace is enough to keep the MSG out of your system? Think again -- MSG can be found in everything from diet drinks to hot dogs to dressings and chips.