cocktail sauce
Condiments & Sauces
Is cocktail sauce high in glutamates?
Is cocktail sauce 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 cocktail sauce contains
FODMAPs
Histamine & Amines
Plant compounds
Irritants
Additives
Allergens
Diet fit
Where cocktail sauce fits
Therapeutic diets
Lifestyle diets
Religious diets
What to know about cocktail sauce
Cocktail sauce is ketchup dressed up with horseradish and a squeeze of lemon, and it inherits ketchup's problems. The concentrated tomato base makes it a moderate nightshade and moderately histamine-forming, the high-fructose sweetening pushes it high on FODMAPs and moderate on excess fructose, and the fiery horseradish adds pungent mustard-oil compounds on top. That is why the little pot of red sauce beside a shrimp cocktail can bother a sensitive person even when plain seafood is fine: the trigger is the sauce, not the prawn.
Watch for
- Built on concentrated tomato, so it is a moderate nightshade and moderately histamine-forming, the same twin load as ketchup
- Sweetened like ketchup, which makes it high on FODMAPs and moderate on excess fructose, a gut trigger in the amount people spoon over seafood
- Horseradish adds sharp mustard-oil compounds that can sting sinuses and stomach, a separate irritation from the tomato and sugar
- Moderate sulfite and free glutamate from the tomato concentrate and any Worcestershire or additives stirred in
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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 cocktail sauce high in Glutamates?
Glutamates: moderate signal - portion size matters.
Can I still eat cocktail sauce if I'm sensitive to Glutamates?
Try smaller portions and space it out.
What else should I check?
Check AIP, Reflux Diet, and Specific Carbohydrate next for a fuller picture.