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monterey jack
Dairy & Alternatives
Trigger checker for monterey jack
See monterey jack 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 monterey jack across criteria
Sensitivities
What monterey jack contains
FODMAPs
Histamine & Amines
Plant compounds
Irritants
Additives
Allergens
Diet fit
Where monterey jack fits
Therapeutic diets
Lifestyle diets
Religious diets
What to know about monterey jack
Monterey Jack is a mild, semi-firm American cheese, and its main trigger is dairy protein: it grades high in casein and whey, with moderate lactose on top. Because plain jack is young and mild, its histamine and tyramine sit in the moderate range rather than the high band you get from aged cheddar or the darker colby jack. So most people who react to Monterey Jack are reacting to the milk proteins or the lactose, not to a big histamine load.
Watch for
- High in dairy protein (casein and whey), the most common reason a milk-sensitive person reacts to it
- Moderate lactose, since jack is not an aged low-lactose cheese, so a larger portion can bother lactose intolerance
- Moderate histamine and tyramine: milder than aged cheddar or colby jack, but not a genuinely low-histamine cheese
- Carries some free glutamate, which can register as a savory trigger if you are sensitive to MSG-type foods
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FAQ
What does the FODMAP rating mean for monterey jack?
Low FODMAP: usually easier for most people, still watch portion size.
Is monterey jack generally well tolerated?
Dairy Proteins (High) and Histamine (Moderate) Start with those if you react.
What should I check next?
Compare within the Dairy & Alternatives group.