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blue cheese
Dairy & Alternatives
Trigger checker for blue cheese
See blue cheese rated across every trigger — FODMAP, histamine, salicylate, oxalate, tyramine and more — plus diet compatibility, all in one quick ingredient profile.
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Compare blue cheese across criteria
Sensitivities
What blue cheese contains
FODMAPs
Histamine & Amines
Plant compounds
Irritants
Additives
Allergens
Diet fit
Where blue cheese fits
Therapeutic diets
Lifestyle diets
Religious diets
What to know about blue cheese
Blue cheese is mould-ripened, and that mould is exactly why it is one of the highest-histamine and highest-tyramine cheeses you can eat. Roquefort, Stilton and Gorgonzola are aged with Penicillium cultures that break protein down into biogenic amines, so blue cheese is high in histamine and tops the scale for tyramine. It is also high in dairy protein. If aged cheese gives you headaches, flushing or a racing heart, blue cheese is often the worst offender on the board.
Watch for
- High in histamine, a frequent trigger for headaches, flushing, hives or a blocked nose in histamine intolerance; the mould-ripening drives the level up
- Highest tyramine rating, which matters for migraine sufferers and is a classic caution on MAOI antidepressants
- High in dairy protein (casein and whey), so it is still a problem for a cow-milk protein allergy despite being lower in lactose
- Contains free glutamates, adding to its savoury, amine-rich load
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FAQ
What does the FODMAP rating mean for blue cheese?
Low FODMAP: usually easier for most people, still watch portion size.
Is blue cheese generally well tolerated?
Tyramine (Avoid) and Histamine (High) Start with those if you react.
What should I check next?
Compare within the Dairy & Alternatives group.