MSG, the sodium salt of glutamic acid (an amino acid), is a form of glutamate, which is naturally present in protein containing foods like cheese, milk, meat, peas, and mushrooms as well as in your body. A fermenting process using starch, sugar beets, sugar cane, or molasses, creates the MSG that is now used to enhance flavors in meat, soup, salad dressing, chips, frozen entrees, and restaurant foods.

The additive may be harmful to nerve cells, contribute to ADHD, and trigger migraines. Other reactions to MSG include nausea, weakness, difficulty breathing, and burning sensations in the back of the neck and forearms. MSG can appear under different names like autolyzed yeast, yeast extract, hydrolyzed plant protein, and hydrolyzed protein.

This type of fat is found in avocados, canola oil, nuts, olives and olive oil, and seeds. Eating food that has more monounsaturated fat (or healthy fat) instead of saturated fat (like butter) may help lower cholesterol and reduce heart disease risk. However, monounsaturated fat has the same number of calories as other types of fat and may contribute to weight gain if you eat too much of it.

A type of physical activity that promotes the growth and strength of muscles. Examples include lifting weights and doing push-ups and sit-ups. Federal guidelines recommend that adults do activities that strengthen muscles at least twice a week.