I get migraines from MSG (including many "hidden sources"), meat cured with nitrates, and red wine (I think tannins or sulfites or something). As long as I avoid those triggers, I'm relatively headache-free. However, I really love red wine. I haven't had it for about 4 years, and I miss it. Are there types of wines that are better than others for keeping headaches at bay? Organic or certain types?
posted by abbyladybug on Oct 17, 2006 - 10 answers

Why does eating in a restaurant make me crap my pants?

I have a generally healthy, varied diet. I can eat anything prepared at home, regardless of how rich, fatty, or spicy it is. But nearly everything from restaurants causes massive stomach upset. I have an intense need to go to the bathroom within 20 or 30 minutes of eating restaurant food - sometimes it's diarrhea, sometimes not.

I can eat junk food, fast food - even Taco Bell - without problems, which adds to my confusion about the cause. I thought it might be MSG, but the local Chinese restaurant is one of the few places I can eat, and they do use MSG. Is there one particular food additive that I'm not aware of that might be doing this? Any other ideas?
posted by anonymous on Jan 18, 2005 - 52 answers