Look, eating Chinese food once in a while with MSG won't harm the baby. Just don't make it a daily habit because of the high sodium content which can cause water retention and bloating.
During my pregnancy, I had intense cravings for noodles, and my doctor said moderate MSG is fine. Just make sure to drink lots of water to stay hydrated since sodium can make you swell up, which is tough especially post-delivery.
Having gone through a loss earlier, I became extremely careful and avoided MSG completely because of the high salt and preservatives. If you feel any doubt or discomfort, it's always safest to check with your doctor first.
When I was staying at my parents' house, mummy always avoided adding MSG to food and suggested eating fresh home-cooked meals. Having it occasionally in restaurant food is fine, but try to avoid it regularly for your peace of mind.
I also read so many conflicting things online about MSG! I ended up eating Manchurian last week and felt fine, but now I'm trying to limit it. What did your gynac say about it?
Actually yaar, a little bit of MSG occasionally is totally fine, don't stress over it. Just avoid eating street food too often because hygiene is a bigger issue during pregnancy.