Back to Nitrites food checker
date

date

Fruit

Is date high in nitrites?

Nitrites status
Safe

Is date high or low in nitrites? See its exact rating, how much counts as a portion, and its FODMAP, salicylate, oxalate and diet compatibility in one place.

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
  • Bacon, hot dogs, and deli meats are common sources
  • Vegetables like celery and beets contain natural nitrates

Sensitivities

What date contains

FODMAPs

FODMAPsHigh
FructansSafe
GOSSafe
FructoseHigh
PolyolsModerate
LactoseSafe

Histamine & Amines

HistamineSafe
Histamine LiberatorsSafe
TyramineSafe

Plant compounds

SalicylatesHigh
OxalatesAvoid
Lectin
NightshadesSafe

Irritants

CaffeineSafe
AlcoholSafe
Spicy FoodsSafe
Acidic FoodsSafe

Additives

SulfitesSafe
NitritesSafe
GlutamatesSafe

Allergens

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

Diet fit

Where date fits

Therapeutic diets

Low HistamineFit
Low SalicylateAvoid
Low FermentationSafe
EoE CompatibleFit
AIPCheck
InflammationFit
Reflux DietFit
Specific CarbohydrateFit
Low FibreAvoid
Gastroparesis DietAvoid

Lifestyle diets

VeganFit
VegetarianFit
PescatarianFit
MediterraneanFit
DASH DietFit
PaleoFit
Whole30Check
KetoAvoid
Low-carbAvoid

Religious diets

HalalFit
KosherFit
Hindu (no beef)Fit
JainFit
Buddhist VegetarianFit
Orthodox FastingFit
Ingredient notes

What to know about date

Dates are a sticky, sweet, concentrated-sugar bomb, and the trigger data shows why they hit harder than their small size suggests. They are high FODMAP from excess fructose, high in salicylates, and very high in oxalates: a single date carries around 24 mg, putting dates among the highest-oxalate fruits and a real concern for calcium-oxalate kidney stones. Unlike prunes and dried apricots the polyol level is only moderate, so with dates the story is fructose, salicylate and oxalate, not sorbitol.

Watch for

  • Very high in oxalates, among the highest of any fruit, so dates are worth limiting if you are prone to calcium-oxalate kidney stones
  • High FODMAP from excess fructose, the concentrated sugar behind the bloating and gas people get from just a couple of dates
  • High in salicylates, a separate trigger if you react to aspirin-type or salicylate-rich foods
  • Moderate for nickel, worth noting if you have systemic nickel allergy and are stacking other nickel-rich foods
Learn More

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:

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.

Want personalized tracking?

Download Triggerbites to log meals, track symptoms, and discover your unique triggers.

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FAQ

Is date high in Nitrites?

Nitrites: low signal for most people.

Can I still eat date if I'm sensitive to Nitrites?

Usually fine in normal portions.

What else should I check?

Check Oxalates, Low Fibre, and Gastroparesis Diet next for a fuller picture.