Back to Salicylates food checker
tomato sauce

tomato sauce

Condiments & Sauces

Is tomato sauce high in salicylates?

Salicylates status
High

Find out whether tomato sauce is high or low in salicylates, see its exact rating, and check its FODMAP, salicylate, oxalate and diet compatibility all 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

Triggers

HistamineAvoid
Histamine LiberatorsHigh
FODMAPsLow
FructansSafe
GOSSafe
FructoseSafe
PolyolsSafe
GlutenSafe
LactoseSafe
Dairy ProteinsSafe
NightshadesAvoid
SalicylatesHigh
OxalatesAvoid
NickelSafe
SulfitesSafe
NitritesSafe
GlutamatesAvoid
TyramineSafe
CaffeineSafe
LectinAvoid
Low FermentationSafe

Diets

GlutenFit
InflammationAvoid
VeganFit
VegetarianFit
Paleo AIPAvoid
MediterraneanFit
DASH DietFit
EoE CompatibleFit
FODMAPsAvoid
Low FermentationFit
Priority ingredient notes

Serving size, prep, and portion notes for tomato sauce

Tomato sauce is one of the most concentrated food triggers in an ordinary kitchen. Simmering and reducing tomatoes stacks histamine, salicylates, oxalate, free glutamate and nightshade compounds into every spoonful. It grades high in histamine, so it is a frequent reason people flush, get a headache or a runny nose during an Italian meal, and it is also high in oxalate and a nightshade.

Watch for

High in histamine, and reducing tomatoes down to a sauce pushes it higher, so marinara often bothers people more than a fresh raw tomato does / High in salicylates and a moderate histamine liberator, a double hit if you are aspirin-sensitive or histamine-intolerant / High in oxalate, which matters on a kidney-stone (calcium oxalate) diet / A nightshade with high free glutamate, so it can flare both nightshade sensitivity and umami/glutamate reactions

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.

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FAQ

Is tomato sauce high in Salicylates?

Salicylates: higher signal - consider smaller servings or swaps.

Can I still eat tomato sauce if I'm sensitive to Salicylates?

Best to avoid or test carefully with a small amount.

What else should I check?

Check Histamine, Nightshades, and Oxalates next for a fuller picture.