Potatoes are not high in histamine, but there are still some potential concerns with potatoes and histamines that you should consider.
Potatoes are a staple in many diets around the world, but if you are trying to eat a low-histamine diet, you may be asking yourself “Are potatoes high in histamine?”
Do Potatoes Have Any Histamine?
Yes, potatoes have histamines but are considered a low-histamine food. Histamine levels in potatoes fluctuate depending on the potato preparation method. Foods that are fried tend to have higher histamine levels, while boiled foods tend to have the same or lower histamine levels. Potatoes have low histamine levels, regardless of the potato type (yellow, red, purple, russet).
Are Potatoes Considered Nightshades?
Yes, all potatoes are from the Solanum tuberosum plant and are considered nightshades (except sweet potatoes). The nightshade family includes tomatoes, potatoes, eggplant, and peppers.
While these vegetables are all safe to eat in moderation, they can cause problems for some people if consumed in large quantities.
If you have any questions about whether a particular food is a nightshade plant or not, ask your doctor for advice.
Are Sweet Potatoes Considered Nightshades?
No, sweet potatoes are not nightshades, as they do not contain nightshade alkaloids. A general recommendation by medical professionals is to switch from regular potatoes to sweet potatoes if nightshades are a concern.
Are Sweet Potatoes, Potatoes?
No. Sweet potatoes are not potatoes, even though “potato” is in the name. Sweet Potato plants are from the Convolvulaceae family and are considered root vegetables. Potatoes are considered tubers, the two potatoes are not related.
Are Sweet Potatoes high in Histamine?
No, sweet potatoes are not high in histamine, they are a low-histamine food. Since sweet potatoes have low histamine levels, this makes them a great food to incorporate into a low histamine diet.
However, some people may be sensitive to histamine in potatoes. If you experience symptoms after eating potatoes, you may want to avoid them or cook them in a way that reduces their histamine content. You can also try taking antihistamines to help manage your symptoms
Canned Sweet Potatoes Histamine Levels
Sweet potatoes in their raw form are low-histamine, generally speaking, canned sweet potatoes still fit in the low histamine category.
A study conducted to test the effects of storage temperatures of canned foods (fruits and syrups) reveals that cans stored at higher temperatures can increase the histamine levels in certain foods.
This means that the canned sweet potatoes (low histamine) should remain low histamine as long as the cans are stored properly.
Keep in mind, this study was not conducted on canned sweet potatoes specifically. Until a study on canned sweet potatoes is conducted, we cannot know for sure.
Are Potato Chips Low in Histamine?
Yes. Potato chips are low in histamine. All potatoes are low in histamine, and chips are no different. The best, healthiest option is for you to make your own potato chips.
Something to consider is that potato chips are typically fried in oil, which raises their histamine levels slightly. It is best to choose baked potato chips over fried ones.
Histamines In Foods
All foods vary in histamine levels, and there is no way to avoid all histamines. Foods that you are unable to tolerate, might not be an issue for someone else.
We all have different histamine intolerance levels, so remember to listen to your body. Eating a healthy diet of low-histamine foods, and avoiding those considered high-histamine is a great way to manage your diet.
Here is a list of foods that are generally known to be either high or low in histamine levels. I arranged the following examples from Histamine Intolerance Awareness.
Lower Histamine Food Examples
- Fresh meat
- Certain fresh/frozen fish – hake, trout, plaice
- Chicken/Poultry
- Eggs
- Fresh fruits – (excluding plantains)
- Fresh vegetables – (excluding tomatoes, eggplant, and spinach)
- Grains – also products thereof such as noodles, bread, oats, crackers, flour, pasta
- Fresh pasteurized milk and milk products
- Milk substitutes – goat milk, sheep milk
- Cream cheese, mozzarella, butter (without the histamine generating rancidity)
- Cooking oils – check suitability before use
- Leafy herbs – check suitability before use
- Fruit juices – (excluding citrus fruits)
- Herbal teas – (excluding black & mate tea)
Higher Histamine Food Examples
- Alcohol
- Eggplant
- Pickled or canned foods, sauerkrauts
- Matured cheeses
- Smoked meat products, salami, ham, sausages
- Shellfish
- Beans and legumes
- Long-stored nuts – e.g peanuts, cashew nuts, almonds, pistachios
- Chocolates and other cocoa-based products
- Seitan
- Rice vinegar
- Ready meals
- Salty snacks, sweets with preservatives, and artificial colorings
Consuming a fresh and wholesome diet can go far with lowering your histamine exposure through your foods. Consider starting a food diary, and talking with your doctor or dietician to discover your body’s specific needs.
Potato Histamine FAQs
Here are some of the most frequently asked potato histamine food questions.
No, potatoes are considered a low-histamine food.
Yes, potatoes are low in histamine and generally recommend to include in a low-histamine diet.
Yes, potato chips are considered low-histamine, but since potato chips are fried, they do have higher histamine levels. For example, a baked potato will have lower histamine levels than a potato chip.
No, potato chips are a low histamine food, but because the chips are fried, they have a higher level of histamine compared to a baked or boiled potato.
Yes, potatoes contain a low level of histamines.
Histamine is a chemical that is released by the body as part of an immune response. It can cause inflammation and allergic reactions. Foods that are high in histamine can trigger these reactions.
Final Thoughts
I hope you gathered some great knowledge about potatoes and their low-histamine awesomeness. what are some questions you still have? send me an email at: chris@allergypreventions.com
You also might find this article interesting, check it out!
