blue cheese
Dairy & Alternatives
Is blue cheese high in glutamates?
Is blue cheese high or low in glutamates? See its exact rating, how much counts as a portion, and its FODMAP, salicylate, oxalate and diet compatibility in one place.
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Sensitivity notes
Why glutamates food checker matters
Glutamates, including MSG, are flavor enhancers found naturally in many foods and added to others. Some people report sensitivity causing headaches, flushing, or other symptoms, though research on 'MSG syndrome' is mixed.
- MSG goes by many names - look for 'glutamate' on labels
- Naturally high in soy sauce, fish sauce, and aged cheeses
- Tomatoes and mushrooms are naturally high in glutamates
- Yeast extract and hydrolyzed proteins contain glutamates
- Fresh, unprocessed foods are generally lower
Sensitivities
What blue cheese contains
FODMAPs
Histamine & Amines
Plant compounds
Irritants
Additives
Allergens
Diet fit
Where blue cheese fits
Therapeutic diets
Lifestyle diets
Religious diets
What to know about blue cheese
Blue cheese is mould-ripened, and that mould is exactly why it is one of the highest-histamine and highest-tyramine cheeses you can eat. Roquefort, Stilton and Gorgonzola are aged with Penicillium cultures that break protein down into biogenic amines, so blue cheese is high in histamine and tops the scale for tyramine. It is also high in dairy protein. If aged cheese gives you headaches, flushing or a racing heart, blue cheese is often the worst offender on the board.
Watch for
- High in histamine, a frequent trigger for headaches, flushing, hives or a blocked nose in histamine intolerance; the mould-ripening drives the level up
- Highest tyramine rating, which matters for migraine sufferers and is a classic caution on MAOI antidepressants
- High in dairy protein (casein and whey), so it is still a problem for a cow-milk protein allergy despite being lower in lactose
- Contains free glutamates, adding to its savoury, amine-rich load
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Glutamates Guide
Everything you need to know about glutamates sensitivity and smart food choices.
Glutamates, including MSG, are flavor enhancers found naturally in many foods and added to others. Some people report sensitivity causing headaches, flushing, or other symptoms, though research on 'MSG syndrome' is mixed.
Sensitivity varies widely. What triggers one person may be fine for another. Track your reactions to find your personal threshold.
These foods are generally well-tolerated for Glutamates sensitivity:
View all safe options
These foods have moderate levels and may be tolerated in small amounts:
These foods are high in glutamates and may trigger symptoms:
View full list
If you're sensitive to Glutamates, consider these strategies:
- 1MSG goes by many names - look for 'glutamate' on labels
- 2Naturally high in soy sauce, fish sauce, and aged cheeses
- 3Tomatoes and mushrooms are naturally high in glutamates
- 4Yeast extract and hydrolyzed proteins contain glutamates
- 5Fresh, unprocessed foods are generally lower
Pro tip: Keep a food diary to track your reactions. The Triggerbites app makes this easy with automatic pattern detection.
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Get the AppFAQ
Is blue cheese high in Glutamates?
Glutamates: moderate signal - portion size matters.
Can I still eat blue cheese if I'm sensitive to Glutamates?
Try smaller portions and space it out.
What else should I check?
Check Tyramine, Vegan, and AIP next for a fuller picture.