A natural form of MSG is found in one popular variety of edible seaweed: kombu.
Interestingly, some canned beans, e.g. Eden Organic (unsalted), come with kombu in the can.
All the debate over things like artificial/alternatives sweeteners and MSG seem like a severe case of not seeing the forest for the trees. The issue of which sweetener to use is not so big as how much of any of the sweeteners. And for those who eat a diet of only whole foods, the answer is even easier: none.
The controversy over issues like these has the general public all worried about things they don't need to worry about so much, instead of being concerned about things they really should be, e.g. what foods make up the diet and their nutrient density. Worrying about MSG in my junk food, organic vs. conventional pizza, or HFCS vs. cane sugar soda, is not likely to have much benefit if these items make a regular appearance in my diet.
Interestingly, some canned beans, e.g. Eden Organic (unsalted), come with kombu in the can.
All the debate over things like artificial/alternatives sweeteners and MSG seem like a severe case of not seeing the forest for the trees. The issue of which sweetener to use is not so big as how much of any of the sweeteners. And for those who eat a diet of only whole foods, the answer is even easier: none.
The controversy over issues like these has the general public all worried about things they don't need to worry about so much, instead of being concerned about things they really should be, e.g. what foods make up the diet and their nutrient density. Worrying about MSG in my junk food, organic vs. conventional pizza, or HFCS vs. cane sugar soda, is not likely to have much benefit if these items make a regular appearance in my diet.