fish sauce
Condiments & Sauces
Is fish sauce high in glutamates?
Is fish 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 fish sauce contains
FODMAPs
Histamine & Amines
Plant compounds
Irritants
Additives
Allergens
Diet fit
Where fish sauce fits
Therapeutic diets
Lifestyle diets
Religious diets
What to know about fish sauce
Fish sauce is one of the highest-histamine ingredients in the kitchen. It is made by fermenting salted anchovies for months, and that slow breakdown of fish protein loads it with histamine and tyramine. On top of that it acts as a histamine liberator, nudging your body to release its own histamine, so even a splash in a stir-fry or dressing can trigger flushing, headache or a racing heart if you have histamine intolerance. It also carries moderate free glutamate, the umami compound behind its savory depth.
Watch for
- Very high in histamine because it is aged fermented anchovy, a classic trigger for flushing, hives, headache or a stuffy nose
- Doubles as a histamine liberator, so it can set off symptoms beyond its own histamine load
- High in tyramine, which matters if you are on an MAOI or get tyramine-linked migraines
- Moderate free glutamate gives the umami kick but can bother people sensitive to MSG-like additives
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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 fish sauce high in Glutamates?
Glutamates: moderate signal - portion size matters.
Can I still eat fish sauce if I'm sensitive to Glutamates?
Try smaller portions and space it out.
What else should I check?
Check Histamine, Histamine Liberators, and Fish next for a fuller picture.