tahini
Condiments & Sauces
Is tahini high in glutamates?
Is tahini 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 tahini contains
FODMAPs
Histamine & Amines
Plant compounds
Irritants
Additives
Allergens
Diet fit
Where tahini fits
Therapeutic diets
Lifestyle diets
Religious diets
What to know about tahini
Tahini is ground sesame paste, the base of hummus and countless dressings, so it concentrates sesame into a spoonable dose. It is high in oxalate and high in nickel, carries the full sesame allergen, and grinding adds a little more FODMAP load than whole seeds. That is why a generous swirl on a bowl can trigger where a light sprinkle of seeds would not.
Watch for
- High in oxalate, and because you eat it by the spoonful in hummus or dressing the oxalate dose climbs quickly
- High in nickel, worth watching on a low-nickel diet since seed pastes concentrate the mineral
- Made entirely from sesame, so it is not a safe substitute if you have a sesame allergy
- Mild FODMAP creep from the ground paste (some fructans and galacto-oligosaccharides), so a big scoop can feel heavier than the same weight of whole seeds
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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 tahini high in Glutamates?
Glutamates: moderate signal - portion size matters.
Can I still eat tahini if I'm sensitive to Glutamates?
Try smaller portions and space it out.
What else should I check?
Check Sesame, AIP, and Oxalates next for a fuller picture.