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kohlrabi
Vegetables
Is kohlrabi high in glutamates?
Is kohlrabi 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 kohlrabi contains
FODMAPs
Histamine & Amines
Plant compounds
Irritants
Additives
Allergens
Diet fit
Where kohlrabi fits
Therapeutic diets
Lifestyle diets
Religious diets
What to know about kohlrabi
Kohlrabi is the swollen stem of a cabbage, mild and sweet and crunchy, and it is genuinely a low trigger vegetable: nothing on its card reaches the high band. No histamine, no histamine liberator, no gluten, lactose, nightshade, sulfite, nitrite, glutamate or caffeine flag. What it has instead is a row of moderates, with fructans, total FODMAPs, salicylates, oxalate, nickel and fermentability all sitting borderline. That is the profile of a vegetable you can eat regularly at normal portions and only notice at volume, which is a much better deal than most brassicas offer. Compared to its relatives it is the easy one: cauliflower grades high on FODMAPs and polyols, broccoli grades poorly on fermentability and salicylates, and kohlrabi undercuts both.
Watch for
- Fructans and total FODMAPs rate borderline, which is dose dependent rather than off limits.A few matchsticks in a slaw is a different food to half a bulb shredded into a salad bowl, and the raw shredded version is where people overshoot without noticing.
- Fermentability rates borderline too, so on a SIBO protocol the roasted or braised version is usually easier to tolerate than the raw crunch at the same weight.
- Salicylate, oxalate and nickel all sit moderate.Individually minor, but kohlrabi is filling and bland enough that people eat a lot of it, and three moderates in one large portion can add up during an elimination trial.
- The leaves are not the bulb.Kohlrabi tops are cooked like collards and carry a leafy green profile of their own, so log them as a separate food if you use them.
- Clean where fermented and preserved vegetables fail: no histamine, no liberator, no glutamate, no sulfite.That makes kohlrabi a good raw base if sauerkraut, pickles and kimchi are what set you off.
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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 kohlrabi high in Glutamates?
Glutamates: low signal for most people.
Can I still eat kohlrabi if I'm sensitive to Glutamates?
Usually fine in normal portions.
What else should I check?
Check Low Fibre, Gastroparesis Diet, and FODMAPs next for a fuller picture.