Monosodium glutamate, or MSG, is a flavor enhancer commonly found in packaged foods. Food producers add MSG to make inexpensive food taste better. Foods containing MSG are generally unhealthy, containing very little nutritional value and empty calories. MSG also stimulates insulin production in the body, so people can eat these foods and still be hungry for more. It's even shown to be addictive. MSG "tricks" the body into thinking real, nutritional food is being consumed. Replacing cheap, processed foods with whole, fresh food is an important step toward a healthier diet.