gorgonzola
Dairy & Alternatives
Is gorgonzola high in glutamates?
Is gorgonzola 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.
Related checkers
Compare gorgonzola across criteria
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 gorgonzola contains
FODMAPs
Histamine & Amines
Plant compounds
Irritants
Additives
Allergens
Diet fit
Where gorgonzola fits
Therapeutic diets
Lifestyle diets
Religious diets
What to know about gorgonzola
Gorgonzola is Italy DOP blue cheese from Lombardy and Piedmont, veined with Penicillium mould and ripened for months, and that ripening is precisely what puts it at the top of the trigger charts. It is graded at the maximum for both histamine and tyramine, which is why aged blue cheese is the headline item on classic MAOI food handouts and on migraine trigger lists. It is graded high for free glutamate too, the savoury depth that gives it its punch. The one thing gorgonzola is not is a lactose problem: months of ripening leave almost nothing behind, so it is graded clean on lactose while still delivering a heavy load of casein. Dolce is the young, spoonably creamy style and piccante is aged longer into a firmer, sharper cheese, but both are aged cheese and neither is a low amine option.
Watch for
- Maximum grade for tyramine.Blue cheeses are the standard warning on monoamine oxidase inhibitor diets and a heavily documented migraine trigger
- Maximum grade for histamine from the mould ripening.There is no low histamine version of a blue cheese, and dolce is only marginally younger than piccante
- High in free glutamate, so it can bother people who react to strongly umami or MSG-like foods
- Effectively lactose free after ripening, so if gorgonzola upsets you the culprit is far more likely the amines or the casein than the milk sugar
- High dairy protein and graded pro-inflammatory, worth logging if you are eating to an anti-inflammatory pattern
Explore related in Dairy & Alternatives
Compare similar foods to build a personalized list of swaps that work for your system.
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.
Want personalized tracking?
Download Triggerbites to log meals, track symptoms, and discover your unique triggers.
Get the AppFAQ
Is gorgonzola high in Glutamates?
Glutamates: higher signal - consider smaller servings or swaps.
Can I still eat gorgonzola if I'm sensitive to Glutamates?
Best to avoid or test carefully with a small amount.
What else should I check?
Check Histamine, Tyramine, and Vegan next for a fuller picture.