tilefish
Seafood
Is tilefish high in glutamates?
Is tilefish 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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Compare tilefish 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 tilefish contains
FODMAPs
Histamine & Amines
Plant compounds
Irritants
Additives
Allergens
Diet fit
Where tilefish fits
Therapeutic diets
Lifestyle diets
Religious diets
What to know about tilefish
Tilefish is a rare case where the entire trigger story is a contaminant rather than an intolerance. Its panel is quiet: low histamine, no gluten, no lactose, no salicylate, no oxalate, no sulfites. What puts it on avoid lists is mercury. Gulf of Mexico tilefish sits in the FDA and EPA "Choices to Avoid" tier and has tested with the highest average methylmercury of any commercially sold fish. The trap is that Atlantic Ocean tilefish carries completely different advice, and a fish counter almost never tells you which ocean yours came from.
Watch for
- Gulf of Mexico tilefish is one of the seven fish on the FDA and EPA "Choices to Avoid" list, meaning no servings for people who are pregnant or breastfeeding and for children ages 1 to 11
- Atlantic Ocean tilefish is a separate advisory and falls in the "Good Choices" tier at about one serving a week.Same market name, opposite guidance
- Sold as golden tilefish.It is a deep-water burrow dweller that lives for decades, which is why mercury accumulates in it the way it does in shark and swordfish
- Nothing here is an intolerance issue.If you react to a tilefish dish with gut or skin symptoms, look at the preparation, because the fish itself grades clean across the histamine, FODMAP and gluten panels
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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 tilefish high in Glutamates?
Glutamates: low signal for most people.
Can I still eat tilefish if I'm sensitive to Glutamates?
Usually fine in normal portions.
What else should I check?
Check Fish, Vegan, and Vegetarian next for a fuller picture.