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soy sauce

soy sauce

Condiments & Sauces

Is soy sauce high in lectin?

Lectin status
Avoid

Is soy sauce 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.

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 soy sauce contains

FODMAPs

FODMAPsLow
FructansSafe
GOSSafe
FructoseSafe
PolyolsSafe
LactoseSafe

Histamine & Amines

HistamineAvoid
Histamine LiberatorsSafe
TyramineHigh

Plant compounds

SalicylatesSafe
OxalatesLow
LectinAvoid
NightshadesSafe

Irritants

CaffeineSafe
AlcoholLow
Spicy FoodsSafe
Acidic FoodsLow

Additives

SulfitesSafe
NitritesSafe
GlutamatesSafe

Allergens

Dairy ProteinsSafe
GlutenAvoid
EggSafe
PeanutSafe
Tree NutsSafe
SoyAvoid
FishSafe
CrustaceansSafe
MolluscsSafe
SesameSafe
CelerySafe
MustardSafe
LupinSafe
Alpha-galSafe
NickelModerate

Diet fit

Where soy sauce fits

Therapeutic diets

Low HistamineAvoid
Low SalicylateAvoid
Low FermentationSafe
EoE CompatibleAvoid
AIPAvoid
InflammationAvoid
Reflux DietCheck
Specific CarbohydrateAvoid
Low FibreFit
Gastroparesis DietFit

Lifestyle diets

VeganFit
VegetarianFit
PescatarianFit
MediterraneanFit
DASH DietFit
PaleoAvoid
Whole30Avoid
KetoFit
Low-carbFit

Religious diets

HalalCheck
KosherCheck
Hindu (no beef)Fit
JainCheck
Buddhist VegetarianFit
Orthodox FastingFit
Ingredient notes

What to know about soy sauce

Most people are surprised that standard soy sauce is brewed with wheat, so it grades as containing gluten and is not safe for celiac disease. On top of that it is fermented, which makes it very high in histamine and high in tyramine, the trigger that matters if you take an MAOI medication or get migraines from aged and fermented foods.

Watch for

  • Brewed with wheat, so ordinary soy sauce contains gluten and is not celiac-safe (look for a certified gluten-free tamari instead)
  • Very high in histamine from fermentation, a frequent flushing and headache trigger
  • High in tyramine, relevant on MAOI medications and for tyramine-driven migraines
  • A processed condiment that grades high in nitrites and pro-inflammatory
Learn More

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

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

These foods are high in lectin and may trigger symptoms:

View full list

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.

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FAQ

Is soy sauce high in Lectin?

Lectin: higher signal - consider smaller servings or swaps.

Can I still eat soy sauce if I'm sensitive to Lectin?

Best to avoid or test carefully with a small amount.

What else should I check?

Check Histamine, Gluten, and Soy next for a fuller picture.