Overview
About Cucumber
Cucumber is a light, hydrating, low-calorie salad vegetable that is clean on histamine, oxalates, nickel, gluten and sulfites, and low FODMAP in normal servings.
Its two flags are moderate salicylates (graded C) and a high lectin grade (E), with the lectins concentrated in the peel and seeds. For most people cucumber is an easy, gentle food, and peeling and deseeding trims the main caveat.
Sensitivities
How Cucumber scores
Watch for
What trips people up
- Graded high in lectins (E), which sit mainly in the skin and seeds, so peeling and scooping the seeds lowers the load for lectin-sensitive eaters
- Moderate salicylates (graded C), a minor flag on a strict salicylate diet
- Medium FODMAP only in large volumes; a normal salad portion is low FODMAP
Diet fit
Where it fits
Swap ideas
More alternatives
FAQ
Common questions about Cucumber
Is cucumber high in lectins?
Cucumber grades high on lectins (E), but they are concentrated in the peel and seeds rather than the flesh. If lectins are a concern for you, peeling the cucumber and scooping out the seeds leaves the mild, watery flesh that most people tolerate easily.
Is cucumber low FODMAP?
Yes, in normal amounts. A typical salad serving of cucumber is low FODMAP; only very large volumes push it higher, so it is a safe choice for most people managing IBS.
Is cucumber safe on a histamine intolerance diet?
Cucumber is graded clean on histamine and is not a liberator, so it is generally a good pick for low histamine eating. Its only notable flags are lectins and mild salicylates, neither of which involves histamine.
References
Read the background
Ratings reflect the Triggerbites ingredient database and may vary with portion size and preparation.