tomato sauce
Condiments & Sauces
Is tomato sauce high in glutamates?
Find out whether tomato sauce 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 tomato sauce
Tomato sauce is one of the most concentrated food triggers in an ordinary kitchen. Simmering and reducing tomatoes stacks histamine, salicylates, oxalate, free glutamate and nightshade compounds into every spoonful. It grades high in histamine, so it is a frequent reason people flush, get a headache or a runny nose during an Italian meal, and it is also high in oxalate and a nightshade.
Watch for
High in histamine, and reducing tomatoes down to a sauce pushes it higher, so marinara often bothers people more than a fresh raw tomato does / High in salicylates and a moderate histamine liberator, a double hit if you are aspirin-sensitive or histamine-intolerant / High in oxalate, which matters on a kidney-stone (calcium oxalate) diet / A nightshade with high free glutamate, so it can flare both nightshade sensitivity and umami/glutamate reactions
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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:
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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 tomato sauce high in Glutamates?
Glutamates: higher signal - consider smaller servings or swaps.
Can I still eat tomato sauce if I'm sensitive to Glutamates?
Best to avoid or test carefully with a small amount.
What else should I check?
Check Histamine, Nightshades, and Oxalates next for a fuller picture.