shark
Seafood
Is shark high in gos?
Is shark high or low in gos? 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 gos food checker matters
Galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS) are carbohydrates found mainly in legumes and some vegetables. They're a FODMAP that can ferment in the gut, causing bloating and discomfort in sensitive people.
- Canned and rinsed legumes are lower in GOS than dried
- Start with smaller portions and build up tolerance
- Some people find beano-type enzymes helpful
- Firm tofu is lower in GOS than silken tofu
- Sprouted legumes may be better tolerated
Sensitivities
What shark contains
FODMAPs
Histamine & Amines
Plant compounds
Irritants
Additives
Allergens
Diet fit
Where shark fits
Therapeutic diets
Lifestyle diets
Religious diets
What to know about shark
Shark is one of only seven fish the FDA and EPA place in the "Choices to Avoid" tier, the highest-mercury category, alongside swordfish, king mackerel, marlin, orange roughy, bigeye tuna and Gulf of Mexico tilefish. The advice for people who are pregnant or breastfeeding and for children is zero servings, not a reduced portion. Shark also has chemistry no other food fish has: its muscle is loaded with urea for osmoregulation, which bacteria convert to ammonia after death. That is the source of both the ammonia smell and the moderate histamine and biogenic amine load on badly handled shark.
Watch for
- On the FDA and EPA "Choices to Avoid" list for methylmercury.Sharks are long-lived apex predators, so mercury biomagnifies up through everything they eat
- Urea in the flesh turns to ammonia within hours unless the shark was bled and iced immediately.Traditional recipes soak it in milk, brine or acidulated water for exactly this reason
- Moderate histamine and tyramine, both of which rise sharply on the same spoilage clock that produces the ammonia
- Sold under names that hide it: rock salmon, flake, huss and dogfish are all shark in the fish and chip trade
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GOS Guide
Everything you need to know about gos sensitivity and smart food choices.
Galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS) are carbohydrates found mainly in legumes and some vegetables. They're a FODMAP that can ferment in the gut, causing bloating and discomfort in sensitive people.
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 GOS sensitivity:
View all safe options
These foods have moderate levels and may be tolerated in small amounts:
These foods are high in gos and may trigger symptoms:
View full list
If you're sensitive to GOS, consider these strategies:
- 1Canned and rinsed legumes are lower in GOS than dried
- 2Start with smaller portions and build up tolerance
- 3Some people find beano-type enzymes helpful
- 4Firm tofu is lower in GOS than silken tofu
- 5Sprouted legumes may be better tolerated
Pro tip: Keep a food diary to track your reactions. The Triggerbites app makes this easy with automatic pattern detection.
Want personalized tracking?
Download Triggerbites to log meals, track symptoms, and discover your unique triggers.
Get the AppFAQ
Is shark high in GOS?
GOS: low signal for most people.
Can I still eat shark if I'm sensitive to GOS?
Usually fine in normal portions.
What else should I check?
Check Fish, Vegan, and Vegetarian next for a fuller picture.