cabbage
Vegetables
Is cabbage high in nitrites?
Find out whether cabbage is high or low in nitrites, see its exact rating, and check its FODMAP, salicylate, oxalate and diet compatibility all in one place.
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Sensitivity notes
Why nitrites food checker matters
Nitrites are preservatives commonly used in cured meats. Some people are sensitive to them, experiencing headaches, flushing, or other symptoms after consumption.
- Choose uncured or 'no nitrates/nitrites added' meat products
- Note that 'natural' nitrites from celery powder act the same way
- Fresh meat is nitrite-free
Triggers
Diets
Serving size, prep, and portion notes for cabbage
Cabbage is a low-trigger crucifer: low in histamine when fresh, gluten free and clean on nickel and sulfites, with only mild-to-moderate salicylate and oxalate. Its two real caveats are gut related and fermentation related. Raw cabbage in quantity is a moderate FODMAP (fructans and polyols) that can cause gas and bloating, though cooking makes it gentler, and fermented cabbage, meaning sauerkraut and kimchi, is a completely different story: fermentation turns a low-histamine vegetable into a high-histamine food.
Watch for
Sauerkraut and other fermented cabbage are high in histamine, so if fresh cabbage is fine but sauerkraut gives you flushing or headaches, fermentation is the reason / Moderate FODMAP raw, from fructans and polyols, so a big bowl of coleslaw bloats sensitive guts more than a cooked portion does / Cooking helps: boiled, steamed or sauteed cabbage is easier on the gut than raw, and smaller servings keep the FODMAP load down / Mild-to-moderate salicylates and oxalates, low enough for most people but worth noting if you are strictly limiting either
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Nitrites Guide
Everything you need to know about nitrites sensitivity and smart food choices.
Nitrites are preservatives commonly used in cured meats. Some people are sensitive to them, experiencing headaches, flushing, or other symptoms after consumption.
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 Nitrites sensitivity:
View all safe options
These foods have moderate levels and may be tolerated in small amounts:
These foods are high in nitrites and may trigger symptoms:
View full list
If you're sensitive to Nitrites, consider these strategies:
- 1Choose uncured or 'no nitrates/nitrites added' meat products
- 2Note that 'natural' nitrites from celery powder act the same way
- 3Fresh meat is nitrite-free
- 4Bacon, hot dogs, and deli meats are common sources
- 5Vegetables like celery and beets contain natural nitrates
Pro tip: Keep a food diary to track your reactions. The Triggerbites app makes this easy with automatic pattern detection.
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Get the AppFAQ
Is cabbage high in Nitrites?
Nitrites: low signal for most people.
Can I still eat cabbage if I'm sensitive to Nitrites?
Usually fine in normal portions.
What else should I check?
Check FODMAPs, Fructans, and Polyols next for a fuller picture.