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chayote
Vegetables
Is chayote high in glutamates?
Is chayote 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 chayote contains
FODMAPs
Histamine & Amines
Plant compounds
Irritants
Additives
Allergens
Diet fit
Where chayote fits
Therapeutic diets
Lifestyle diets
Religious diets
What to know about chayote
Chayote is the pale green gourd sold as chayote, mirliton or chow chow, and it is the member of the squash family that keeps breaking the family pattern. It grades A for FODMAPs, fructans, polyols, histamine, histamine liberation, oxalate, gluten, glutamate, sulfite, tyramine and nightshade, which puts it in genuinely low FODMAP territory where zucchini grades C and butternut squash grades D. It also grades A on lectins while cucumber, zucchini and butternut all grade E, so a lectin avoiding eater who reacts to the usual cucurbits may still get on with this one. The two marks chayote does carry are mild and dose dependent: salicylate B and nickel B. Its most practical caveat is not digestive at all. Cut chayote weeps a sticky sap that leaves many people with dry, tight or briefly numb fingertips, so peel it under running water or wear gloves.
Watch for
- The sap gets people, not the flesh.Peeling raw chayote releases a sticky latex that causes short lived irritant contact dermatitis: dryness, tightness and sometimes numbness across the fingers. It resolves within about a day, and peeling under running water or in gloves prevents it.
- Salicylate B, so it is a moderate food rather than a free one during a strict salicylate elimination.It sits well below high salicylate produce, but a large serve still counts toward your daily load.
- Nickel B is only relevant on a low nickel diet for systemic nickel allergy, where B foods are the ones you portion rather than the ones you drop.
- Low FODMAP at A, which is unusual for a squash.If squash normally bloats you, chayote is worth testing on its own before writing off the whole family.
- Its lectin grade of A is the outlier in the cucurbit group.Cucumber, zucchini and butternut squash all grade E for lectins in our data, so do not assume chayote behaves like them.
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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 chayote high in Glutamates?
Glutamates: low signal for most people.
Can I still eat chayote if I'm sensitive to Glutamates?
Usually fine in normal portions.
What else should I check?
Check Salicylates, Nickel, and Low Salicylate next for a fuller picture.