There are nights when you don’t want to cook, and having something delivered to your door seems like the only option. When the takeout craving hits, try to stay away from Chinese. In general, the dishes are loaded with sodium and sugar. Foods like General Tso’s and chicken lo mein are only some nasties you should avoid. Believe it or not, the sodium and sugar are the least of your problems.

Make no mistake, Chinese is amazing, but the flavor is achieved with monosodium glutamate (MSG). This flavor-enhancing substance has been linked to many side effects. You are not suffering from a premature hangover. A headache, nausea and the weakness you feel could very well be the MSG you ingested. It might not be Chinese takeout, but you can make similar dishes at home with the same ingredients, minus all the MSG and sugar.