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tahini

tahini

Condiments & Sauces

Is tahini high in salicylates?

Salicylates status
Low

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

Sensitivity notes

Why salicylates food checker matters

Salicylates are natural chemicals found in many fruits, vegetables, herbs, and spices. They're related to aspirin and can cause reactions in sensitive individuals including hives, asthma symptoms, nasal congestion, and digestive issues.

  • Start by eliminating the highest sources: spices, herbs, and concentrated products
  • Peel fruits and vegetables when possible to reduce salicylate content
  • Fresh is usually better tolerated than dried or concentrated
  • Build up tolerance slowly by reintroducing foods one at a time
  • Sensitivity often improves with gut healing over time

Sensitivities

What tahini contains

FODMAPs

FODMAPsLow
FructansModerate
GOSLow
FructoseSafe
PolyolsSafe
LactoseSafe

Histamine & Amines

HistamineSafe
Histamine LiberatorsLow
TyramineSafe

Plant compounds

SalicylatesLow
OxalatesHigh
LectinSafe
NightshadesSafe

Irritants

CaffeineSafe
AlcoholSafe
Spicy FoodsSafe
Acidic FoodsSafe

Additives

SulfitesSafe
NitritesSafe
GlutamatesLow

Allergens

Dairy ProteinsSafe
GlutenSafe
EggSafe
PeanutLow
Tree NutsModerate
SoySafe
FishSafe
CrustaceansSafe
MolluscsSafe
SesameAvoid
CelerySafe
MustardSafe
LupinSafe
Alpha-galSafe
NickelHigh

Diet fit

Where tahini fits

Therapeutic diets

Low HistamineFit
Low SalicylateFit
Low FermentationLow
EoE CompatibleCheck
AIPAvoid
InflammationFit
Reflux DietCheck
Specific CarbohydrateFit
Low FibreCheck
Gastroparesis DietCheck

Lifestyle diets

VeganFit
VegetarianFit
PescatarianFit
MediterraneanFit
DASH DietFit
PaleoFit
Whole30Fit
KetoAvoid
Low-carbCheck

Religious diets

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

What to know about tahini

Tahini is ground sesame paste, the base of hummus and countless dressings, so it concentrates sesame into a spoonable dose. It is high in oxalate and high in nickel, carries the full sesame allergen, and grinding adds a little more FODMAP load than whole seeds. That is why a generous swirl on a bowl can trigger where a light sprinkle of seeds would not.

Watch for

  • High in oxalate, and because you eat it by the spoonful in hummus or dressing the oxalate dose climbs quickly
  • High in nickel, worth watching on a low-nickel diet since seed pastes concentrate the mineral
  • Made entirely from sesame, so it is not a safe substitute if you have a sesame allergy
  • Mild FODMAP creep from the ground paste (some fructans and galacto-oligosaccharides), so a big scoop can feel heavier than the same weight of whole seeds
Learn More

Salicylates Guide

Everything you need to know about salicylates sensitivity and smart food choices.

Salicylates are natural chemicals found in many fruits, vegetables, herbs, and spices. They're related to aspirin and can cause reactions in sensitive individuals including hives, asthma symptoms, nasal congestion, and digestive issues.

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 Salicylates sensitivity:

View all safe options

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

These foods are high in salicylates and may trigger symptoms:

View full list

If you're sensitive to Salicylates, consider these strategies:

  • 1Start by eliminating the highest sources: spices, herbs, and concentrated products
  • 2Peel fruits and vegetables when possible to reduce salicylate content
  • 3Fresh is usually better tolerated than dried or concentrated
  • 4Build up tolerance slowly by reintroducing foods one at a time
  • 5Sensitivity often improves with gut healing over time

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 tahini high in Salicylates?

Salicylates: moderate signal - portion size matters.

Can I still eat tahini if I'm sensitive to Salicylates?

Try smaller portions and space it out.

What else should I check?

Check Sesame, AIP, and Oxalates next for a fuller picture.