feta
Dairy & Alternatives
Is feta high in glutamates?
Is feta 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 feta contains
FODMAPs
Histamine & Amines
Plant compounds
Irritants
Additives
Allergens
Diet fit
Where feta fits
Therapeutic diets
Lifestyle diets
Religious diets
What to know about feta
Feta tells a different story from the hard aged cheeses. It is a brined sheep and goat milk cheese, so the salting keeps its lactose lower, yet the fermentation still leaves it high in histamine and, unusually, it is a histamine liberator on top of that, plus high in tyramine. That combination means feta can bring on hives, flushing or a headache even in fairly small crumbles.
Watch for
- High in histamine from its brine fermentation, and separately a histamine liberator, meaning it also nudges your body to release its own histamine
- High in tyramine, so despite its soft fresh texture it sits with the aged cheeses as a migraine and MAOI-diet trigger
- Lower in lactose than cheddar or parmesan because of the brining, but still very high in casein and whey for a milk allergy
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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 feta high in Glutamates?
Glutamates: moderate signal - portion size matters.
Can I still eat feta if I'm sensitive to Glutamates?
Try smaller portions and space it out.
What else should I check?
Check Dairy Proteins, Vegan, and AIP next for a fuller picture.