kale
Vegetables
Is kale high in lectin?
Is kale high or low in lectin? 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 lectin food checker matters
Lectins are proteins found in many plant foods, especially legumes and grains. Some people follow low-lectin diets believing they reduce inflammation and digestive issues, though properly cooked foods have reduced lectin content.
- Proper cooking destroys most lectins - never eat raw beans
- Pressure cooking is highly effective at reducing lectins
- Peeling and deseeding reduces lectin content
- Fermentation can reduce lectins in some foods
- Sprouting may increase or decrease lectins depending on the food
Sensitivities
What kale contains
FODMAPs
Histamine & Amines
Plant compounds
Irritants
Additives
Allergens
Diet fit
Where kale fits
Therapeutic diets
Lifestyle diets
Religious diets
What to know about kale
Kale earns its superfood reputation on the trigger data: it is strongly anti-inflammatory, low in histamine, and, unlike spinach, genuinely low in oxalate, so it is a rare leafy green that oxalate-sensitive and kidney-stone-prone people can usually enjoy. The caveats are real but specific. It is a cruciferous vegetable that ferments heavily in the gut and so grades poorly for SIBO; it is moderate FODMAP by the plateful; and it carries a moderate amount of nickel that matters if you have systemic nickel allergy.
Watch for
- Low in oxalate, which sets it apart from spinach, chard and beet greens: a good swap if oxalate or kidney stones are your issue
- Cruciferous and highly fermentable, so it grades poorly for SIBO and can cause gas and bloating in larger raw servings; light cooking helps
- Moderate FODMAP by volume, so a small side is fine on low-FODMAP but a big raw bowl may not be
- Contains a moderate amount of nickel, relevant if you have systemic nickel allergy and are combining several nickel-rich foods
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Lectin Guide
Everything you need to know about lectin sensitivity and smart food choices.
Lectins are proteins found in many plant foods, especially legumes and grains. Some people follow low-lectin diets believing they reduce inflammation and digestive issues, though properly cooked foods have reduced lectin content.
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 Lectin sensitivity:
View all safe options
If you're sensitive to Lectin, consider these strategies:
- 1Proper cooking destroys most lectins - never eat raw beans
- 2Pressure cooking is highly effective at reducing lectins
- 3Peeling and deseeding reduces lectin content
- 4Fermentation can reduce lectins in some foods
- 5Sprouting may increase or decrease lectins depending on the food
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 kale high in Lectin?
Lectin: low signal for most people.
Can I still eat kale if I'm sensitive to Lectin?
Usually fine in normal portions.
What else should I check?
Check Low Fermentation, Low Fermentation, and Low Fibre next for a fuller picture.