Back to Glutamates food checker
jicama

jicama

Vegetables

Is jicama high in glutamates?

Glutamates status
Safe

Is jicama 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.

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 jicama contains

FODMAPs

FODMAPsLow
FructansSafe
GOSSafe
FructoseSafe
PolyolsSafe
LactoseSafe

Histamine & Amines

HistamineSafe
Histamine LiberatorsSafe
TyramineSafe

Plant compounds

Salicylates
Oxalates
LectinSafe
NightshadesSafe

Irritants

CaffeineSafe
AlcoholSafe
Spicy FoodsSafe
Acidic FoodsSafe

Additives

SulfitesSafe
NitritesSafe
GlutamatesSafe

Allergens

Dairy ProteinsSafe
GlutenSafe
EggSafe
PeanutSafe
Tree NutsSafe
SoySafe
FishSafe
CrustaceansSafe
MolluscsSafe
SesameSafe
CelerySafe
MustardSafe
LupinSafe
Alpha-galSafe
NickelSafe

Diet fit

Where jicama fits

Therapeutic diets

Low HistamineFit
Low SalicylateFit
Low FermentationSafe
EoE CompatibleFit
AIPFit
InflammationFit
Reflux DietFit
Specific CarbohydrateCheck
Low FibreAvoid
Gastroparesis DietAvoid

Lifestyle diets

VeganFit
VegetarianFit
PescatarianFit
MediterraneanFit
DASH DietFit
PaleoFit
Whole30Fit
KetoFit
Low-carbFit

Religious diets

HalalFit
KosherFit
Hindu (no beef)Fit
JainAvoid
Buddhist VegetarianFit
Orthodox FastingFit
Ingredient notes

What to know about jicama

Jicama is the crisp white Mexican root eaten raw in sticks with lime and chilli, and it earns its place as a substitution staple honestly: no histamine and no histamine liberator flag, no gluten, lactose, nightshade, sulfite, nitrite, glutamate or caffeine reading, and nothing high anywhere on the card. Two details keep it from being a blanket yes. First, portion. Jicama's famous fibre is largely inulin, which is a fructan, so it grades low on fructans at a normal serve and only borderline on total FODMAPs once the plate gets big. The tested low FODMAP serve is about 70g. Second, the part. Only the peeled flesh is food: the papery brown skin, plus the vine, leaves, flowers and seeds, contain rotenone, a natural insecticide, and are not edible.

Watch for

  • Only the peeled tuber is edible.The brown skin and the entire rest of the jicama vine, including seeds and pods, contain rotenone. Peel generously and past the fibrous layer, and never treat the greens as a leafy vegetable.
  • Inulin is a fructan even when the fructan grade reads low.The tested low FODMAP serve is around 70g, and total FODMAPs grade borderline above that, so a whole raw plate can act like a prebiotic dose and produce gas that a small side never would.
  • Salicylates and oxalates are unrated for jicama in this dataset.That is not the same as cleared, so if you are running a strict salicylate or oxalate elimination, treat it as untested and reintroduce it deliberately.
  • Clean on histamine, histamine liberation, glutamates and sulfites, which is exactly why it works as the crunch stand in for apple, water chestnut or raw celery when those are off the table.
Learn More

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 App

FAQ

Is jicama high in Glutamates?

Glutamates: low signal for most people.

Can I still eat jicama if I'm sensitive to Glutamates?

Usually fine in normal portions.

What else should I check?

Check Jain, Low Fibre, and Gastroparesis Diet next for a fuller picture.