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cashews

cashews

Nuts & Seeds

Is cashews high in glutamates?

Glutamates status
Safe

Is cashews 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.

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 cashews contains

FODMAPs

FODMAPsHigh
FructansSafe
GOSHigh
FructoseSafe
PolyolsSafe
LactoseSafe

Histamine & Amines

HistamineModerate
Histamine LiberatorsModerate
TyramineSafe

Plant compounds

SalicylatesLow
OxalatesAvoid
LectinAvoid
NightshadesSafe

Irritants

CaffeineSafe
AlcoholSafe
Spicy FoodsSafe
Acidic FoodsSafe

Additives

SulfitesSafe
NitritesSafe
GlutamatesSafe

Allergens

Dairy ProteinsSafe
GlutenSafe
EggSafe
PeanutModerate
Tree NutsAvoid
SoySafe
FishSafe
CrustaceansSafe
MolluscsSafe
SesameLow
CelerySafe
MustardSafe
LupinSafe
Alpha-galSafe
NickelHigh

Diet fit

Where cashews fits

Therapeutic diets

Low HistamineCheck
Low SalicylateFit
Low FermentationSafe
EoE CompatibleAvoid
AIPAvoid
InflammationFit
Reflux DietCheck
Specific CarbohydrateFit
Low FibreAvoid
Gastroparesis DietAvoid

Lifestyle diets

VeganFit
VegetarianFit
PescatarianFit
MediterraneanFit
DASH DietFit
PaleoFit
Whole30Fit
KetoAvoid
Low-carbAvoid

Religious diets

HalalFit
KosherFit
Hindu (no beef)Fit
JainFit
Buddhist VegetarianFit
Orthodox FastingFit
Ingredient notes

What to know about cashews

Blended into cashew cream, dairy-free cheese or a curry base, cashews turn a whole recipe into a trigger. They are high in oxalate, high in nickel, high in lectins and high FODMAP from their GOS, and because vegan cooking uses a full cup soaked and blended, the dose gets large fast. A splash of cashew cream can push an otherwise gentle dish over the line even when the rest of the plate is clean.

Watch for

  • High in oxalate, and cashew-based creams and cheeses use a big blended portion, so the oxalate dose adds up quickly
  • High in GOS, which makes a creamy sauce a hidden FODMAP source in an otherwise low-FODMAP meal
  • High in nickel and lectins, both worth watching if you react to those
  • Truly raw cashews are never sold, the shell holds urushiol (the poison-ivy compound), so shop cashews are always steamed
Learn More

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.

Want personalized tracking?

Download Triggerbites to log meals, track symptoms, and discover your unique triggers.

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FAQ

Is cashews high in Glutamates?

Glutamates: low signal for most people.

Can I still eat cashews if I'm sensitive to Glutamates?

Usually fine in normal portions.

What else should I check?

Check Tree Nuts, Oxalates, and Lectin next for a fuller picture.