Back to Histamine food checker
onion

onion

Vegetables

Is onion high in histamine?

Histamine status
Safe

See histamine status for onion alongside other trigger notes.

Sensitivity notes

Why histamine food checker matters

Histamine is a compound naturally present in many foods, especially aged, fermented, or preserved items. In sensitive individuals, excess histamine can cause headaches, flushing, hives, digestive issues, and other symptoms. Your body normally breaks down histamine, but some people have reduced capacity to do so.

  • Focus on fresh foods - histamine builds up as food ages
  • Cook and eat meals fresh; avoid leftovers sitting more than 24 hours
  • Be cautious with fermented foods, aged cheeses, and cured meats

Triggers

Histamine
Safe
Histamine Liberators
Low
FODMAPs
Avoid
Fructans
Avoid
GOS
Safe
Fructose
Safe
Polyols
Safe
Gluten
Safe
Lactose
Safe
Dairy Proteins
Safe
Nightshades
Safe
Salicylates
Low
Oxalates
Safe
Nickel
Low
Sulfites
Safe
Nitrites
Safe
Glutamates
Low
Tyramine
Safe
Caffeine
Safe
Lectin
Safe
Low Fermentation
Avoid

Diets

Inflammation
✓ Fit
Vegan
✓ Fit
Vegetarian
✓ Fit
Paleo AIP
✓ Fit
Mediterranean
✓ Fit
DASH Diet
✓ Fit
EoE Compatible
✗ Avoid
FODMAPs
✗ Avoid
Low Fermentation
✗ Avoid
Priority ingredient notes

Serving size, prep, and portion notes for onion

Aromatic base that adds depth to soups, sauces, and sautes.

Typical serving

1/4 medium onion (about 50 g)

Best for

saute bases / soups / roasted trays

Prep notes

  • Sweat slowly to mellow the bite.
  • Slice thinly for quick pickles or salads.
  • Rinse raw slices for a lighter flavor.

Portion notes

  • A quarter onion is plenty for most pans.
  • Thin slices distribute flavor across bowls.
  • One tablespoon minced adds aroma without bulk.

Watch for

raw bite in salads / over-browning at high heat

Learn More

Histamine Guide

Everything you need to know about histamine sensitivity and smart food choices.

Histamine is a compound naturally present in many foods, especially aged, fermented, or preserved items. In sensitive individuals, excess histamine can cause headaches, flushing, hives, digestive issues, and other symptoms. Your body normally breaks down histamine, but some people have reduced capacity to do so.

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 Histamine sensitivity:

View all safe options

These foods have moderate levels and may be tolerated in small amounts:

These foods are high in histamine and may trigger symptoms:

View full list

If you're sensitive to Histamine, consider these strategies:

  • 1Focus on fresh foods - histamine builds up as food ages
  • 2Cook and eat meals fresh; avoid leftovers sitting more than 24 hours
  • 3Be cautious with fermented foods, aged cheeses, and cured meats
  • 4Consider that stress and hormones can affect your histamine tolerance
  • 5Some antihistamines or DAO supplements may help (consult your doctor)

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.

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