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ketchup

ketchup

Condiments & Sauces

Is ketchup high in tyramine?

Tyramine status
Low

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

Sensitivity notes

Why tyramine food checker matters

Tyramine is an amino acid that forms when proteins break down. It's found in aged, fermented, or spoiled foods. For people taking MAO inhibitors or those with tyramine sensitivity, it can cause headaches, elevated blood pressure, and other reactions.

  • Choose fresh over aged, fermented, or preserved foods
  • Eat protein foods fresh and store properly
  • Be especially careful if taking MAO inhibitor medications
  • Common high-tyramine foods include aged cheese, cured meats, and soy sauce
  • Ripeness affects tyramine - choose less ripe fruits

Sensitivities

What ketchup contains

FODMAPs

FODMAPsModerate
FructansLow
GOSSafe
FructoseModerate
PolyolsSafe
LactoseSafe

Histamine & Amines

HistamineModerate
Histamine LiberatorsModerate
TyramineLow

Plant compounds

SalicylatesLow
OxalatesSafe
LectinSafe
NightshadesModerate

Irritants

CaffeineSafe
AlcoholSafe
Spicy FoodsSafe
Acidic FoodsModerate

Additives

SulfitesModerate
NitritesSafe
GlutamatesModerate

Allergens

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

Diet fit

Where ketchup fits

Therapeutic diets

Low HistamineCheck
Low SalicylateCheck
Low FermentationModerate
EoE CompatibleFit
AIPAvoid
InflammationAvoid
Reflux DietAvoid
Specific CarbohydrateAvoid
Low FibreFit
Gastroparesis DietFit

Lifestyle diets

VeganFit
VegetarianFit
PescatarianFit
MediterraneanCheck
DASH DietCheck
PaleoAvoid
Whole30Avoid
KetoAvoid
Low-carbCheck

Religious diets

HalalFit
KosherFit
Hindu (no beef)Fit
JainAvoid
Buddhist VegetarianAvoid
Orthodox FastingFit
Ingredient notes

What to know about ketchup

Ketchup is the textbook stacked trigger: no single ingredient in it is extreme, but it borders on a problem across an unusual number of them at once. It is made from concentrated tomatoes (nightshade plus histamine), cooked and aged (histamine and glutamate build up), sweetened with high-fructose syrup (excess fructose and FODMAPs) and often preserved with sulfites. Individually each is a moderate load; together, in the amount people actually use, they can push a sensitive person over the edge when a plain tomato would not. If you react to ketchup but tolerate fresh tomato, the processing is usually why.

Watch for

  • Concentrated tomato makes it a nightshade and moderately high in histamine, two triggers in one spoonful
  • Cooking and ageing raise free glutamate (a savoury, MSG-like load) and histamine beyond that of a fresh tomato
  • Sweetened with high-fructose corn syrup, so it carries excess fructose and a moderate FODMAP load
  • Often preserved with sulfites, a further additive trigger, and it is pro-inflammatory overall thanks to the sugar and processing
Learn More

Tyramine Guide

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

Tyramine is an amino acid that forms when proteins break down. It's found in aged, fermented, or spoiled foods. For people taking MAO inhibitors or those with tyramine sensitivity, it can cause headaches, elevated blood pressure, and other reactions.

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 Tyramine sensitivity:

View all safe options

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

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

  • 1Choose fresh over aged, fermented, or preserved foods
  • 2Eat protein foods fresh and store properly
  • 3Be especially careful if taking MAO inhibitor medications
  • 4Common high-tyramine foods include aged cheese, cured meats, and soy sauce
  • 5Ripeness affects tyramine - choose less ripe fruits

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 ketchup high in Tyramine?

Tyramine: moderate signal - portion size matters.

Can I still eat ketchup if I'm sensitive to Tyramine?

Try smaller portions and space it out.

What else should I check?

Check AIP, Reflux Diet, and Specific Carbohydrate next for a fuller picture.