peanut butter
Condiments & Sauces
Is peanut butter high in glutamates?
Find out whether peanut butter is high or low in glutamates, see its exact rating, and check its FODMAP, salicylate, oxalate and diet compatibility all 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
Triggers
Diets
Serving size, prep, and portion notes for peanut butter
Peanut butter's biggest hidden trigger is nickel: peanuts are legumes and rank high on the nickel scale, which makes peanut butter a frequent flare food for people with systemic nickel allergy, showing up as eczema, itching or gut upset. On top of that it carries moderate oxalate, a mild histamine-liberating effect and some lectins, so it stacks several small loads at once. None of this is the same as a true peanut allergy, which is a separate and potentially serious IgE reaction: if you have that, the nickel grading is irrelevant and you must avoid peanuts entirely.
Watch for
High in nickel, a common trigger for systemic nickel allergy (eczema, itching, digestive upset) because peanuts are legumes / Moderate oxalate, worth noting if you are prone to kidney stones or follow a low-oxalate diet / Mild histamine liberator and moderate in lectins, so it adds to the overall load even though neither is severe on its own / Separate from all of this, a true IgE peanut allergy is an anaphylaxis risk and means strict avoidance, not moderation
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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 peanut butter high in Glutamates?
Glutamates: moderate signal - portion size matters.
Can I still eat peanut butter if I'm sensitive to Glutamates?
Try smaller portions and space it out.
What else should I check?
Check Paleo AIP, Nickel, and Histamine Liberators next for a fuller picture.