fenugreek seeds
Herbs & Spices
Is fenugreek seeds high in glutamates?
Is fenugreek seeds 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 fenugreek seeds contains
FODMAPs
Histamine & Amines
Plant compounds
Irritants
Additives
Allergens
Diet fit
Where fenugreek seeds fits
Therapeutic diets
Lifestyle diets
Religious diets
What to know about fenugreek seeds
Fenugreek seeds are moderate in salicylates and mildly histamine liberating, but the reason they show up in food diaries is rarely food chemistry. Fenugreek is a legume, in the same family as peanut, chickpea and lupin, and it cross-reacts with peanut often enough that Norwegian allergy registries traced severe reactions to curries back to it. It is also the spice that makes people smell of maple syrup, because it carries sotolone, the same aroma compound that gives maple syrup urine disease its name. If you take fenugreek and your sweat or urine turns sweet-smelling, that is the seed, not an illness.
Watch for
- Cross-reacts with peanut.Fenugreek is a legume and shares allergen proteins with peanut, lupin, chickpea and lentil, so a curry or spice blend containing it can provoke a reaction in someone who has never knowingly eaten fenugreek
- Moderate salicylate content, so it can add to your daily load if you already react to salicylate-rich herbs and spices
- Mild histamine liberator, enough to matter if you are stacking several liberating foods in one meal rather than a problem on its own
- Sotolone gives a maple syrup body odour within hours, and in newborns whose mothers took fenugreek during labour or while nursing it has triggered false suspicion of maple syrup urine disease on screening
- Widely sold as a milk supply supplement, where the dose is far higher than any culinary amount, which is when the odour and any gut upset actually show up
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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 fenugreek seeds high in Glutamates?
Glutamates: low signal for most people.
Can I still eat fenugreek seeds if I'm sensitive to Glutamates?
Usually fine in normal portions.
What else should I check?
Check AIP, Salicylates, and Low Salicylate next for a fuller picture.