Low Histamine Diet Plan

Low Histamine Diet Plan for Mast Cell Activation Syndrome

Histamine Intolerance / Low Histamine Diet / MCAS Education

I’ve had both Mast Cell Activation Syndrome and Histamine Intolerance since early childhood. I grew up in the country. I was always sneezing and rubbing my eyes. I remember summers spent snapping green beans. I’d have a massive pile of green beans in front of me.  By the the time I got through my pile of beans, I was miserable and covered in itchy hives.  

I remember never liking certain foods like hot dogs and Spam growing up. I’d cover the Spam in pineapple to be able to choke it down. And then end up itching and sneezing all night! I’d also have trouble breathing, poor sleep, acid reflux, and stomach aches after. The thought of Spam still makes queasy. Now I know that these are all high histamine foods.

In my 20s, I became really interested in eating healthy. I was an early adopter of making bone broths, eating  spinach, and making my own ferments. I had kombucha, kefir, sourdough, and raw sauerkraut happily fermenting in my kitchen year round. I thought I was doing the absolute healthiest things for my body. But the itching, acid reflux, and insomnia kept getting worse! I didn’t know how high the histamine levels were in those foods too!

These symptoms were all clues that I had both Mast Cell Activation Syndrome and Histamine Intolerance. But no one really knew what either of those things were back then. So, even though my doctors were well-intentioned, they just didn’t know how to help me. Unfortunately, 99% of doctors still aren’t trained in this area. So, it can be really hard for people with Mast Cell Activation Syndrome or Histamine Intolerance to find help.

The good news is, you are in the right place if you have either Mast Cell Activation Syndrome or Histamine Intolerance. Maybe you are like me and have both. If you want to read more about the differences between Mast Cell Activation Syndrome and Histamine Intolerance, check out this post:

Histamine Intolerance vs. Mast Cell Activation Syndrome

I start all my Mast Cell Activation Syndrome and Histamine Intolerance clients with a trial Low Histamine Diet. This is because I want to see if symptoms clear up with reducing Histamine consumption before adding a ton of supplements. Changing my diet to low histamine made a world of difference in my symptoms. 

However, eating Low Histamine didn’t fix everything. But it was a huge piece of the puzzle for me as well as many of my clients. 

This blog post will give you my Mast Cell 360 Starter Low Histamine Foods List. I recommend you give it a try. Track your symptoms before you start and as you are changing your diet. This way you’ll get a clear picture of what clears up.

Get the Mast Cell 360 Low Histamine Diet Starter Foods List Here:
Mast Cell 360 Low Histamine Diet Foods List

There are a lot of Histamine Foods Lists online. Can’t you just use any of them?

Why you Shouldn’t use Most of the Online Histamine Foods Lists if you have Mast Cell Activation Syndrome or Histamine Intolerance

If you’ve already been researching Low Histamine Foods List, you know there are a lot of them out there. The problem is 95% of the Histamine Foods Lists I’ve seen online are unfortunately rubbish. Many are just copying from others and making the same mistakes. 

Many lists only include high histamine foods. But a Low Histamine Diet is more complicated than that. These lists don’t include foods that are histamine liberators or foods that block Diamine Oxidase (DAO) – one of the major histamine degrading enzymes. So, most Low Histamine Diet Lists online essentially don’t work for most people.

I’ve seen low Histamine foods lists that allowed walnuts, a well-known histamine liberator. I’ve seen others that didn’t allow blueberries. But blueberries are known to be histamine lowering. 

It’s also confusing because some foods may be slightly higher histamine. But they contain a lot of quercetin that lowers histamine. So it balances out. Like raspberries for instance.I’ve found most people with Mast Cell Activation Syndrome or Histamine Intolerance can tolerate a few raspberries – like around ¼ cup.

Another problem is, much of the histamine food research is flawed. Some Histamine Foods lists were created by listing every food someone in a study reacted to. But those reactions may not have been due to histamines alone. And many of those studies didn’t even control for reactions to things like; salicylates, oxalates, and just plain food sensitivities. So, the lists became far too limited.

Then some Histamine Food lists include a lot of processed, packaged foods in the “Safe column. But processed foods can make MCAS and Histamine Intolerance worse over time!!

So, what do you do?

I’ve worked really hard on developing my Mast Cell 360 Starter Low Histamine Diet Foods list for you. 

This Starter Histamine Foods list has you eliminate:

  • High Histamine foods
  • Histamine liberating foods
  • Foods that block Diamine Oxidase

This list also emphasizes foods that are highly nutritious and help lower histamine levels.

So, let’s get to the tips…

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Tips on The Mast Cell 360 Starter Low Histamine Foods List for Mast Cell Activation Syndrome and Histamine Intolerance

I wanted this Low Histamine Foods list to be the best possible for you if you have Mast Cell Activation Syndrome and Histamine Intolerance. So, I used the most reliable research available. I also included my own clinical experience from talking with thousands of people with Mast Cell Activation Syndrome and Histamine Intolerance over the years. I recommend emphasizing a lot of high nutrient foods like cauliflower, onions, and blueberries that all have antihistamine properties. You can read more about those antihistamine foods here: 

How to do a Low Histamine Diet for Histamine Intolerance and Mast Cell Activation Syndrome Part 2: What to Eat

You’ll also want to remember that histamine levels work like a bucket. You might be ok with 1 strawberry or 1 bite of pineapple. But if you combine a few bites here and there of high histamine foods, your bucket might overflow. Your histamine bucket can also be fuller due to exposure to seasonal allergens, mold, fluctuating hormones, dehydration, stress, etc. So, keep this bucket in mind when making food choices.

Finally, you don’t want to limit your diet for too long. I get a number of clients who are down to 10 safe foods or less. I find that being too restricted on foods can snowball into more and more restrictions due to the nutrient deficiencies. Be sure to reach out for help before you get to this point! 

I was once down to a very small number of safe foods, I wasn’t able to eat in restaurants at all. It has taken a lot of work to get a variety of foods back in my diet. I can now eat everything on the low histamine list below. I can also now eat small amounts of firm avocado, a couple squares of dark chocolate, and even a small handful of walnuts. I can even eat out (mindfully) without paying for it later. 

I’ve almost completely healed the underlying root triggers that caused my Mast Cell Activation Syndrome and Histamine Intolerance. I do still stay mindful of my histamine bucket. So I don’t load up on too many high histamine foods at once. 

It’s wonderful to be able to eat a variety of foods, now. I want this for you too!

The long term goal in Mast Cell Activation Syndrome and Histamine Intolerance is to support histamine pathways to work correctly and reduce mast cell over-reactivity so that we can include more foods over time. Many higher histamine foods have great nutrients. So, we want to try to bring those back on board at some point when your Mast Cell Activation Syndrome or Histamine Intolerance is calmed down – when it is safe for you. 

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The Mast Cell 360 3 Phase Low Histamine Diet for Mast Cell Activation Syndrome and Histamine Intolerance

Get the Mast Cell 360 Low Histamine Diet Starter Foods List Here:
Mast Cell 360 Low Histamine Diet Foods List

Phase 1 of the Mast Cell 360 Low Histamine Food Elimination

Important Notes for Mast Cell 360 Low Histamine Phase I: Food Elimination (usually 6 months)

Think of this phase as going back to basics. You’ll take out all High Histamine foods, Histamine Liberating foods, and Diamine Oxidase (DAO) blocking foods. 

  1. Use the Mast Cell 360 Low Histamine Starter Foods List: PHASE I to eliminate high histamine foods. I recommend at this phase you avoid all dairy (except ghee), eggs, fish (even frozen Wild Alaskan salmon) and all high histamine foods.
  2. Avoid packaged and processed foods.
  3. Freeze all leftovers after cooking. Bring your own properly prepared meat to restaurants to add to your plate during this phase.
  4. Be sure to follow the Meat Handling tips here.
  5. Emphasize nutrient dense herbs and vegetables that are histamine lowering.
  6. Follow this phase for 6 months
  7. Keep a food diary of foods and symptoms so you can track if you may have other food sensitivities or intolerances beyond Histamine. This is common to have.

Phase 2 of the Mast Cell 360 Low Histamine Food Elimination

Important Notes for Mast Cell 360 Low Histamine Food Phase II:

Re-introduction Phase – Build Your Own Foods List: Usually 6-18 months

After 6 months of the Elimination phase, your symptoms will hopefully be much improved. If so, you can start to experiment with foods you can tolerate. 

If you are still having symptoms, though, don’t continue with this step yet. You will need to find out what your underlying Mast Cell Activation Syndrome or Histamine Intolerance Root Causes are and address those first. 

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  1. Only make 1 change every 3-4 days. Keep a Food Diary. Symptoms can take up to 2-3 days to develop. So, don’t introduce anything else new at this time. 
  2. This phase is about adding in a HIGH NUTRIENT higher histamine foods in small quantities. For example, you can add 3-4 walnuts. Or try a couple ounces of freshly cooked Wild Alaskan Salmon that was frozen after catch. Don’t do a full serving yet.
  3. Don’t add in packaged or processed foods. Be sure to freeze leftovers and be careful ordering meat at a restaurant. I recommend still taking your own meat to restaurants to avoid confusion in this phase.
  4. Keep in mind that stress, PMS and menstruation, seasonal allergies, mold exposure, certain medications and some supplements can raise histamine levels. You’ll want to consider these things in your testing. In other words, the day before your period starts isn’t the best time to introduce a new food.
  5. If you tolerate a small quantity of the High Nutrient, higher histamine food, you can try a moderate quantity. For example, 6-8 walnuts or 4 ounces of freshly cooked Wild Alaskan Salmon that was frozen after catch.
  6. Give it another 3-4 days. If no increase in symptoms, add this food to your personal Low Histamine Foods List with the quantity you tolerated.
  7. Be patient. It will take many months for you to reintroduce foods.
  8. Make sure you are rotating foods and not eating too many high histamine foods on the same day. Remember, histamine levels work like a bucket. This means 3 walnuts might not affect you. But 3 walnuts + ¼ avocado + 2 ounces of salmon very well may get you. I suggest only eating 1 higher histamine food a day, in small quantities, at this phase.

Here are examples of foods you can experiment with rotating in at this point in moderation. Start with a small amount. Then, if it goes ok, a little more the next time. 

  • 2-3 Walnuts 
  • ¼ Avocado, firmer (not mushy
  • 2-4 Fresh Button or Shiitake Mushrooms
  • 1 Fresh Pasture Raised Egg, whites thoroughly cooked
  • ¼ cup Eggplant
  • ¼ cup Fresh Tomatoes
  • ¼ Banana 
  • 1-2 Whole Dates
  • 3-4 Cubes Fresh Pineapple 
  • 2 ounces Wild Alaskan Salmon, frozen after slaughter (like Vital Choice Fish King Salmon)
  • ½ ounce top shelf plain vodka, gin, white rum, silver tequila (no more and on rare occasion)
  • 1-2 T Butter or Cream (not high histamine, but may people have trouble with casein)
  • Sprinkle of cayenne
  • 1-2 Ounces Dark Chocolate
  • 1-2 tsp Apple Cider Vinegar

 

I recommend you do NOT include these very high histamine foods in this phase:

  • Beef
  • Ground meat (unless you grind it yourself at home)
  • Fermented Foods: Kefir, Yogurt, Sauerkraut, Miso, Soy Sauce, Kombucha, etc.
  • Processed/Packaged foods
  • Vinegar – all types
  • Strawberries
  • Spinach
  • All other Fish/Shellfish
  • Leftovers not frozen
  • Meat at restaurants
  • Cured Meats
  • Peanuts or Cashews
  • Black, Green, White or Rooibos tea
  • Wine, Beer, Other Alcohol not listed above

Phase 3 of the Mast Cell 360 Low Histamine Food Elimination

Important Notes for Mast Cell 360 Low Histamine Food Phase III:

Testing Your Limits: AFTER 12-24 months of Phase I and II

This phase is about seeing what your body can handle now that you have gone through some serious healing. Ideally, you will have addressed your underlying Mast Cell Activation Syndrome or Histamine Intolerance Root Causes before this phase. 

DO NOT undertake this phase until your body is in a very good place health-wise. Otherwise, you may backslide.

  1. Still only make 1 change every 3-4 days. Keep a Histamine Food Diary. Symptoms can take up to 2-3 days to develop. So don’t introduce anything else new at this time. 
  2. Make sure you are still eating plenty of HIGH NUTRIENT Histamine Lowering foods. 
  3. Continue to not eat too many high histamine foods on the same day.
  4. Continue to avoid junk foods, processed foods, and food with additives like xanthan gum and carrageenan.
  5. Go slowly. If you develop symptoms, note it and let things calm down before you try something else. 
  6. Continue to remember that stress, PMS and menstruation, seasonal allergies, mold exposure, and certain medications and supplements can raise histamine levels. You’ll want to control for these things in your testing. So, the day before your period starts isn’t the best time to introduce a new food.

Here are examples of things you can experiment with in Phase III in moderation and only 1 of these 1x or 2x/week:

  • 6-8 ounces Wild Alaskan Salmon, frozen after slaughter (like Vital Choice Fish King Salmon)
  • 3-4 ounces freshly caught seafood
  • 3-4 ounces chicken, lamb, turkey, or pork at a restaurant
  • 3-4 ounces of beef prepared at home
  • 2-3 ounces ground meat
  • ½ cup high nutrient packaged foods, like Laiki Rice Crackers
  • Leftovers refrigerated for 24 hours
  • ¼ tsp cinnamon, cloves, or nutmeg
  • ¼ cup of canned beans or lentils
  • 1-2 slices pasture-raised bacon
  • 2-3 ounces of pasture-raised yogurt (if no casein sensitivity)
  • 1-2 ounces raw, fermented sauerkraut
  • 2-3 ounces kombucha
  • 1 tsp miso
  • 1 tsp tamari
  • 1 tsp white or balsamic vinegar
  • Small glass of low histamine white wine like Dry Farm Wines

I recommend you not return to these highest histamine foods:

  • Fast food
  • Packaged foods with additives like MSG, or carrageenan
  • Flavored alcohols (like coconut rum), packaged mixers (like margarita mix), and significantly aged alcohols (like 10 year aged bourbon)
  • Preservatives like sodium benzoate or potassium sorbate
  • Peanuts and cashews – very inflammatory

Related Article: Low Histamine Meal Plan Tips for Histamine Intolerance and Mast Cell Activation Syndrome

Get the Mast Cell 360 Low Histamine Diet Starter Foods List:
Mast Cell 360 Low Histamine Diet Foods List

 
If you find your symptoms are returning at this phase, you’ll need to back up to Phase II.

Also, make sure you have completely addressed your underlying Mast Cell Activation Syndrome or Histamine Intolerance Root Causes. 
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What if You Don’t See Improvement with the Low Histamine Diet and you have Mast Cell Activation Syndrome or Histamine Intolerance

If you don’t notice a change with reducing Histamine foods, it may be because one or more of these reasons:

    1. You may not have given it enough time. You need to be diligent about eliminating low histamine foods for at least 6 months.
    2. You may not be eating low histamine enough. Check and make sure you aren’t sneaking in high histamine foods or eating a lot of processed foods. Think about eating in restaurants too – meat in restaurants is often very high histamine.
    3. You may have other food intolerances or sensitivities that haven’t been addressed yet. These can include oxalates, lectins, and glutamates. These can also include food sensitivities. We’ll talk about this more in the next chapters. 
    4. Eating low histamine may not be enough. You may also have issues with the Histamine Degrading Enzymes. I can help you with this.
    5. You may not notice a major change until you also add in mast cell stabilizing supplements and address the other specific root factors for you. Think of it like this. If you have 12 nails in different parts of your body, you may not notice a big difference if we only take out 1 nail. So, eating low histamine may be helping, but it may not be enough for you to feel significantly better yet.
    6. You may not have Histamine Intolerance. Not everyone with Mast Cell Activation Syndrome has Histamine Intolerance. You may not know until further down the road, though. I encourage you to stay on the Low Histamine Diet until you are symptom free. Then you can experiment with adding in higher histamine foods one at a time to see if your symptoms return. This is the best way to rule out Histamine Intolerance.
    7. Your meat and leftovers may be getting you. Leftovers need to be frozen after cooking. Meat has to be handled in a specific way. Make sure you’ve followed the tips in these posts:

      Are you Raising your Histamine Levels with these Meat Handling Mistakes?

      How to do a Low Histamine Diet for Histamine Intolerance and Mast Cell Activation Syndrome Part 1: Identifying High Histamine Foods

      How to do a Low Histamine Diet for Histamine Intolerance and Mast Cell Activation Syndrome Part 2: What to Eat

If you are still having issues, there are some major root causes missing. Work with a qualified practitioner to support you. 

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Still not sure? Testing for Histamine Intolerance in Mast Cell Activation Syndrome

Histamine Intolerance can be evaluated through a few criteria:

  • Ruling out other conditions that could cause continual release of histamine
  • Symptoms of Histamine Intolerance without true allergy issues
  • Negative skin and blood tests for the allergen antibodies
  • Symptom relief with reduction of histamine foods

If the above criteria are true for you, then you can take more steps to narrow down the issues in Histamine Intolerance. Serum Diamine Oxidase testing is available through Dunwoody Labs’ Advanced Intestinal Barrier Assessment.

Methylation status related to Histamine Intolerance can be tested in a Doctor’s Data or Genova Blood Methylation Panel.

The genes coding for the Histamine Degrading Enzymes can be tested through genetic testing. I use Functional Genomic Analysis in my practice for genetic testing. This is because it gives the best genetic information for Histamine Intolerance and Mast Cell Activation Syndrome.

Testing isn’t always enough, though. If you have a problem with DAO, you want to look at your gut health. This is because most DAO is made in the brush border cells of the gut. If you have any gut infections, gut inflammation, or are eating inflammatory foods, your DAO product will be affected. 

What about Oxalates and Lectins in Mast Cell Activation Syndrome or Histamine Intolerance? What about other food triggers?

There are other types of foods that people with MCAS or Histamine Intolerance may react to. These include lectins, oxalates, salicylates, glutamates, and FODMAPs. So, try new foods slowly and cautiously until you know how your body will respond. This list is meant to be a starting place for you to make your own personal list. 

If you seem to be reacting to a lot of foods that are low histamine, you may have additional food sensitivities. If this is the case, you can reach out to me for help. I can help you customize your own foods list.

I recommend to my clients they start with the Mast Cell 360 Low Histamine Diet Phase I: Elimination List. Then if there are symptoms left, work with a Mast Cell and Histamine specialist before delving into oxalates or lectins too far. This is because you don’t want to limit foods too much. I’ve seen people get worse and worse when they get down to 20 or less safe foods. This is because they are rapidly losing nutrients needed to stabilize mast cells and build the histamine degrading enzymes.

If you know you have an oxalate issue, PLEASE work with a qualified professional on lowering oxalates slowly. DO NOT go low oxalate cold turkey. People have made themselves extremely sick doing this. 

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Do you need help with your Mast Cell Activation Syndrome or Histamine Intolerance?

Mast Cell Activation Syndrome and Histamine Intolerance are both very complex conditions. This is what I’ve spent the past several years studying and dedicating my life to helping others with. It is almost impossible to figure out alone if you don’t have a significant amount of health education and clinical training. I even have a number of high level health care practitioners who consult with me for help with their own Mast Cell Activation Syndrome or Histamine Intolerance. Because it’s that complicated.

*Some links in this website are affiliate links, which means Mast Cell 360 may make a very small commission if you purchase through the link. It never costs you any more to purchase through the links, and we try to find the best deals we can. We only recommend products that we love and use personally or use in the Mast Cell 360 practice. Any commissions help support the newsletter, website, and ongoing research so Mast Cell 360 can continue to offer you free tips, recipes, and info. Thank you for your support!

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Comments

  1. Julie

    This is all such amazing information and I am so grateful to have it! After two decades of struggle, my healthcare provider turned to MCAS & Histamine intolerance as my potential issue. All the information here strongly resonates with me and I’m desperate to talk to & start a healthcare plan with an expert. Dr. Beth is booked for all of 2020, wondering if she can recommend someone else with her vast Mast Cell knowledge that I can talk to in the meantime?

    1. Beth O'Hara

      Thank you so much! Beth will be offering MasterClasses in the near future to address different topics relating to MCAS and Histamine Intolerance. Each session will also have a live Q&A. Please feel free to join our email list (if you haven’t already) to get the latest updates. Where are you located? (You can private message me the answer if you prefer.)

  3. Karlee

    This is a wealth of knowledge and I appreciate it. I am using this list to cross reference with a list for hashimotos and an anti-inflammatory diet. I have had so many issues with no reason why. I have finally realized that the reactions I have to so many foods could in fact be a histamine intolerance. I have had allergy testing done and because I have no allergies the doctors say sorry, I don’t know what’s wrong and look at me like I’m crazy! I have acid reflux when I eat mostly anything which led to an endoscopy which showed nothing wrong but I have scarring on my esophagus and they don’t know why. I also had a colonoscopy which showed nothing wrong and yes all of that is wonderful but I still have no answers. Now, here I am so grateful to have the internet to try to piece together what is wrong and make a plan for myself. I feel the best when I am fasting but that is not realistic in the long term. I appreciate your knowledge and I will be making my own notes while cross referencing several different food lists so that I may be able to feel better and know what I can eat with no reactions!!!

    1. Suz, Mast Cell 360 Team

      Hi Deena,
      Yes, we update our blog every week! Thanks for your interest!

  5. Bec

    Hi I love your info curious on Rooibos tea as it’s listed as a natural antihistamine on a few pages

    1. Suz, Mast Cell 360 Team

      To my understanding, it is made via fermentation which increases histamine levels. Of course, everyone is different in what they can handle. It depends on how full your “histamine bucket” is.

  6. Patty

    Is Nutritional Yeast okay to eat? (The brand I have lists ingredients as only: inactive yeast. Also it is not fortified) …I searched the mastCell 360 website for “nutritional yeast”and could not find a result.
    Thank you

    1. Suz, Mast Cell 360 Team

      Hi Patty,
      Nutritional yeast is high histamine, so if you choose to eat it, just be mindful that you’ll be adding to your “histamine bucket.”

  7. Tanya Pruitt

    Hi!
    Could I get a link for a printable list of low histamine foods?

    1. Suz, Mast Cell 360 Team

      We are working on getting this together and it should be out in the very near future. Thanks for your interest!

  8. Bobby LaCoure

    I would like to have the low histamine foods list please.

  9. Andrea

    Maybe I am being blind. I keep clicking the link for the low histamine phase I food list but I don’t seem to find a list.

  10. Sarah

    Do you find the SIGHI list to be a mostly reliable source? I like that it specifically lists SO many foods, especially additives, vitamins, etc all in one chart

    1. Jamie, Mast Cell 360 Team

      Hi Sarah, yes the SIGHI is a reliable list!

  11. Caitlin

    Hi there!

    How much does the Functional Genomic Analysis testing cost? (I understand that you’re probably going to say “It depends” or something along those lines, to avoid sharing the exact price, but please if you could at least give a ball park of what these tests run, it would be really appreciated). Thank you!

    1. Jamie, Mast Cell 360

      Hi Caitlin, this testing typically runs in the ballpark of $300-$400. The Functional Genomic Analysis testing requires a practitioner to order it for you. You can find a practitioner here: https://www.functionalgenomicanalysis.com/Home/PractitionerDirectory

      We also have direct to consumer option from the DNA Company: https://thednacompany.com/mastcell
      You can use coupon code MASTCELL360 for $50 off the Genetic Sample Collection + DNA 360 Report! And later this summer Beth will be doing a workshop with them specifically for those with MCAS

      Here are two additional articles you might find interesting: https://mastcell360.com/how-genetic-analysis-makes-a-huge-difference-in-healing-with-mast-cell-activation-syndrome-and-histamine-intolerance/

      https://mastcell360.com/functional-genetic-analysis-in-mast-cell-activation-syndrome-and-histamine-intolerance/

  12. Heather

    Did you not warn against the Live Bacteria/Culture “L.Casei” once? I’m sure you did, but I’m not seeing it.

  13. Lauren

    Hi I live in Australia and DON’T KNOW if I have MCAS or histamine intolerance. I have my doubts. My doctor recommend I try this because I have complex medical history with lots of symptoms including hashimotos. I’ve done phase 1 for over 3 months now and DO NOT feel any better to the best of my knowledge and was preparing to reintroduce foods. Basically to confirm that this diet is not relevant or to surprise myself by ultimately making my symptoms worse. But the website warns against reintroducing UNTIL I feel a lot better. Which won’t happen if it’s not relevant. And I’ll be stuck on a diet that makes me less happy and less nourished for a lot longer for no reason. QUESTION: Can’t I just reintroduce in moderation to check that it’s relevant? Whether I ultimately react or not, it should give me the right path forward.

  14. Ashley Judson

    Hello, I am a registered dietitian who would like to utilize these resources in practice and will give you credit for this work. I would like a printable list.

    1. Jamie, Mast Cell 360

      Hi Ashley! Thanks so much for your interest in the printable food list! We are working hard to get this resource complete!In the meantime feel free to send your clients to this blog!

  15. Crystal

    What mast cell stabilizing supplements do you recommend? I’ve been low histamine for a year and a half and I still have symptoms.

  16. Brittany

    For Phase 1 would you not eat any grains since technically they’re processed? Or what does no processed foods specify? Wondering if it’s best to stick to mostly veggies and meat and some fruits since you said to not do more than 2 servings? Thank you!

    1. Jamie, Mast Cell 360

      Hi Brittany, great question. The packaged and processed foods that are recommended to avoid in phase 1 of the low histamine diet include things like crackers, cookies, chips, pasta (think things that come in boxes). Everyone’s needs will be slightly different since there is so much individuality when it comes to food sensitivities. We recommend working with a knowledgable practitioner so you don’t unnecessarily remove foods from your diet. You can find a list of low histamine grains here: https://mastcell360.com/low-histamine-foods-list/. For example, if you tolerate a whole grain like rice you may decide to keep that in during phase 1.

  17. Ashley

    I am looking to start the low histamine diet elimination phase one. Any chance you have a weekly meal plan I can use with exact measurements? I have your list and it feels overwhelming not knowing how much of eat specific food I can eat like how low FODMAP is very specific with their guidelines. One single grape, no more than 1/4 cup of this a day etc.

    I know it varies for everyone but do I need to know measurements? I honestly just want to do a gf grain and dairy free protein for the first two weeks. Most celiacs can’t do gf oats and I see I shouldn’t do eggs. Do you have protein substitutes? My diet is 80% protein but I’m sure that will have to change with this elimination.

    I live by north star farms but I see it should be avoided the first 6 months? If I can have during the elimination diet, how much chicken can I have per serving or per day? How much rice per meal, how much veggie etc? Do I need to space them 4 hours between meals or does histamine buildup throughout the entire day/ week?

    I was on a ground beef and white rice diet before this thinking it was fodmaps and the leftovers definitely made me sick. Not to mention the poor quality ground meat. I just want to do things simply. My symptoms are so severe and have been building over the past seven months that I can’t drive or work. I would like to go back to the basics.

    1. Jamie, Mast Cell 360

      Hi Ashley! Those are great questions! You can find our low histamine shopping list here, which may be less overwhelming than the website version: https://mastcell360.com/printable-low-histamine-food-list/. Unfortunately, at this time we do not have a meal plan as everyone’s individual sensitivities will vary greatly. We highly recommend working with a knowledgable practitioner so that foods are not unnecessarily removed from the diet. Unlike FODMAPs the amount isn’t so much of an issue as long as you are staying to the low histamine food list.

      For breakfast, it can help to think of it as just another meal, where you may eat meat in place of eggs. We do not recommend avoiding meat for the first 6 months, we do emphasize avoiding higher histamine options like ground meet and beef and replace them with lower histamine options like unaged beef (which you can get from northstar bison), chicken, etc. and freezing leftovers immediately to help reduce histamines.

      Histamine is released as a natural process of digestion and will continue to build throughout the day. But you may find you may need to experiment to see what you tolerate, and discuss exploring some mast cell stabilizers. If you are looking for 1:1 support you’re welcome to apply to the Mast Cell 360 clinic, which you can learn more about here: mastcell360.com/application

      We’re sorry to hear that your symptoms are severe right now, but hope this helps clarify how to get going with the low histamine diet!

      Best,
      Jamie

  18. Melissa

    Hello, great web site thank you. Very overwhelming but useful. The underlining in the foods list what does that mean? Again, much appreciated!

    1. Zack, Mast Cell 360

      Hi Melissa,

      Thank you!

      As far as the food lists go, I have attached the key here for your convenience:

      Key to the Mast Cell 360 Low Histamine Diet Foods List:

      * = Has been noted as higher histamine, but contains high amounts of histamine lowering nutrients that can balance

      Italics = particularly high in histamine lowering nutrients, Emphasize these

      ![Food Name] = High in pesticide residue – buy organic

      -L = Lectin: may trigger those with Mast Cell Activation Syndrome

      -O = High Oxalate: may trigger those with Oxalate issues, quantities given after the O are for those watching oxalates. DO NOT go low oxalate cold turkey – this can make you very ill. If you have oxalate issues, be sure to work with a qualified Heath Care Practitioner who is very experienced in this area to guide you.
      ​

      On our printable PDF food list, the underlined foods are clickable links if viewed on a computer, but we understand that gets lost in translation when the PDF gets printed.

      I hope this helps!
      ​
      Best,
      Zack

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