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fish sauce

fish sauce

Condiments & Sauces

Is fish sauce high in sulfites?

Sulfites status
Low

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

Sensitivity notes

Why sulfites food checker matters

Sulfites are preservatives found in wine, dried fruits, and processed foods. They can trigger asthma symptoms, headaches, and allergic reactions in sensitive individuals.

  • Dried fruits are often high in sulfites unless labeled 'unsulfured'
  • Wine, especially white, commonly contains sulfites
  • Fresh foods are naturally sulfite-free
  • Check medication labels - some contain sulfites
  • Look for 'contains sulfites' on labels (required above 10ppm)

Sensitivities

What fish sauce contains

FODMAPs

FODMAPsLow
FructansSafe
GOSSafe
FructoseLow
PolyolsSafe
LactoseSafe

Histamine & Amines

HistamineAvoid
Histamine LiberatorsAvoid
TyramineHigh

Plant compounds

SalicylatesSafe
OxalatesSafe
LectinSafe
NightshadesSafe

Irritants

CaffeineSafe
AlcoholSafe
Spicy FoodsSafe
Acidic Foods

Additives

SulfitesLow
NitritesSafe
GlutamatesModerate

Allergens

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

Diet fit

Where fish sauce fits

Therapeutic diets

Low HistamineAvoid
Low SalicylateAvoid
Low FermentationLow
EoE CompatibleAvoid
AIPCheck
InflammationCheck
Reflux DietCheck
Specific CarbohydrateCheck
Low FibreFit
Gastroparesis DietFit

Lifestyle diets

VeganAvoid
VegetarianAvoid
PescatarianFit
MediterraneanFit
DASH DietCheck
PaleoFit
Whole30Check
KetoFit
Low-carbFit

Religious diets

HalalFit
KosherCheck
Hindu (no beef)Fit
JainAvoid
Buddhist VegetarianAvoid
Orthodox FastingAvoid
Ingredient notes

What to know about fish sauce

Fish sauce is one of the highest-histamine ingredients in the kitchen. It is made by fermenting salted anchovies for months, and that slow breakdown of fish protein loads it with histamine and tyramine. On top of that it acts as a histamine liberator, nudging your body to release its own histamine, so even a splash in a stir-fry or dressing can trigger flushing, headache or a racing heart if you have histamine intolerance. It also carries moderate free glutamate, the umami compound behind its savory depth.

Watch for

  • Very high in histamine because it is aged fermented anchovy, a classic trigger for flushing, hives, headache or a stuffy nose
  • Doubles as a histamine liberator, so it can set off symptoms beyond its own histamine load
  • High in tyramine, which matters if you are on an MAOI or get tyramine-linked migraines
  • Moderate free glutamate gives the umami kick but can bother people sensitive to MSG-like additives
Learn More

Sulfites Guide

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

Sulfites are preservatives found in wine, dried fruits, and processed foods. They can trigger asthma symptoms, headaches, and allergic reactions in sensitive individuals.

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 Sulfites sensitivity:

View all safe options

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

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

  • 1Dried fruits are often high in sulfites unless labeled 'unsulfured'
  • 2Wine, especially white, commonly contains sulfites
  • 3Fresh foods are naturally sulfite-free
  • 4Check medication labels - some contain sulfites
  • 5Look for 'contains sulfites' on labels (required above 10ppm)

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.

Get the App

FAQ

Is fish sauce high in Sulfites?

Sulfites: moderate signal - portion size matters.

Can I still eat fish sauce if I'm sensitive to Sulfites?

Try smaller portions and space it out.

What else should I check?

Check Histamine, Histamine Liberators, and Fish next for a fuller picture.