Back to Nitrites food checker
eggplant

eggplant

Vegetables

Is eggplant high in nitrites?

Nitrites status
Safe

Is eggplant 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 eggplant contains

FODMAPs

FODMAPsLow
FructansSafe
GOSSafe
FructoseSafe
PolyolsSafe
LactoseSafe

Histamine & Amines

HistamineHigh
Histamine LiberatorsModerate
TyramineSafe

Plant compounds

SalicylatesAvoid
Oxalates
LectinAvoid
NightshadesAvoid

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
NickelSafe

Diet fit

Where eggplant fits

Therapeutic diets

Low HistamineAvoid
Low SalicylateAvoid
Low FermentationSafe
EoE CompatibleFit
AIPAvoid
InflammationFit
Reflux DietFit
Specific CarbohydrateFit
Low FibreCheck
Gastroparesis DietFit

Lifestyle diets

VeganFit
VegetarianFit
PescatarianFit
MediterraneanFit
DASH DietFit
PaleoFit
Whole30Fit
KetoFit
Low-carbFit

Religious diets

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

What to know about eggplant

Eggplant (aubergine) carries three overlapping triggers at once: it is a nightshade, it grades high in histamine and it is very high in salicylates. So if nightshades, amines or salicylates bother you, eggplant can bring on joint aches, flushing, headaches or itching that is hard to pin on a single cause. Salting and rinsing the slices before cooking cuts the bitterness, some moisture and a share of the glycoalkaloids, but it will not remove the histamine or the salicylates.

Watch for

  • A nightshade, so it is off-limits on a strict nightshade-elimination or AIP protocol
  • High in histamine and a mild liberator, a common cause of flushing or headaches in histamine intolerance
  • Very high in salicylates, one of the higher-salicylate vegetables
  • High in lectins, relevant if you follow a low-lectin approach
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 eggplant high in Nitrites?

Nitrites: low signal for most people.

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

Usually fine in normal portions.

What else should I check?

Check Nightshades, Salicylates, and Lectin next for a fuller picture.