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Salicylates in Food


The lists below are a 'translation' of the findings in the Australian study (Anne R Swain et al. Salicylates in Food. Journal of the American Dietetic Association Vol. 85:8 1985). You will find other similar lists on the net but none has been broken down in the same amount of detail as the one given below.

Please note that not all foods have been tested and therefore if they are not included in the list below they were not tested in the study.

Testing for a salicylate sensitivity is not a straightforward process and I have outlined a system to help. Full details can be found in Salicylate Handbook.

Safe foods - Negligible amounts if any

Fruit
Banana, lime, pear - peeled.
Vegetables
Bamboo shoot, cabbage - green/white, celery green split peas -dried, lentils, lettuce - iceberg, swede.
Beans - dried (not borlotti). You may use canned beans but avoid any that have added ingredients such as sugar and salt. It is possible to buy beans in filtered water only and there are some organic varieties available. Check in your local health food shop.
Potatoes are fine but they must be of the old white variety and you must peel them.
Grains
Barley, buckwheat, millet, oats, rice, rye, wheat.
To avoid additives and hidden preservatives, all bread, biscuits, cakes etc.. should be home-made. Seeds and nuts
Poppy seeds.
Sweeteners
Maple syrup, white sugar.
Meat, fish, poultry and eggs
Meat, fish, poultry and eggs are generally salicylate free but avoid liver and prawns and do not eat any processed meat.
Herbs, spices and condiments
Malt vinegar, saffron, sea salt, soy sauce (if free of spices).
Oils and fats Cold pressed oils such as sunflower or soy.
Butter.
Margarine and processed rapeseed, safflower, soya bean, sunflower oils although low in salicylate are likely to contain preservatives that may mimic salicylate reactions and are best avoided.
Dairy
Butter, cheese (not blue vein), milk, yoghurt - natural only but you can add your own fruit.
Misc.
Carob powder, cocoa, tofu.
Beverages
Decaffeinated coffee, milk, ovaltine, home made pear juice, soya milk, rice milk, water.

Very low

Fruit Golden delicious apple - peeled (green variety only), paw paw, pomegranate, tamarillo.
Vegetables Brussel sprouts, borlotti beans, chives, choko, garlic, green peas, leek, mung bean sprouts, red cabbage, shallot, yellow split peas.
Nuts and seeds Cashew nuts.
Condiments Fennel - dried, fresh parsley.
Sweeteners golden syrup
Meat and fish Liver, prawns.

Low

Fruit Fresh figs, lemon, mango, passion fruit, persimmon, red delicious apple - peeled, rhubarb.
Vegetables Fresh asparagus, beetroot, cauliflower, green beans, onion, marrow, potato - white with peel, pumpkin,sweetcorn, tomato, turnip.
Frozen spinach.
Seeds and nuts Hazelnuts, pecan, sunflower seeds.
Herbs, spices and condiments Fresh coriander leaves.
Oils and fat Ghee
Beverages Dandelion coffee, shop bought pear juice.

Moderate

Fruit Custard apple, kiwi fruit, loquat, lychee, pear with peel.
Vegetables Aubergine - peeled, carrot, lettuces other than iceberg, tomato juice, mushrooms. Tinned asparagus, beetroot, black olives, sweetcorn.
Seeds and nuts Desiccated coconut, peanut butter, walnuts.
Sweeteners Molasses.
Beverages Coco cola, rose hip tea.

High

Fruit Avocado, most other varieties of apples, cantaloupe melon, cherries, grapefruit, mandarin, mulberry, nectarine peach, tangelo, watermelon.
Vegetables Alfalfa sprouts, aubergine with peel, broad bean, broccoli, cucumber, tinned okra, parsnips, fresh spinach, sweet potato, tinned tomatoes and tomato puree, watercress.
Grains Maize.
Seeds and nuts Brazil nuts, macadamia nuts, pine nuts, pistachio, sesame seeds.
Herbs, spices and condiments Yeast extracts.
Oils and fats Almond oil, corn oil, peanut oil, sesame oil, walnut oil.
Beverages Coffee.

Very high

Fruit Fresh apricots, blackberry, blackcurrant, blueberry, boysenberry, cranberry, fresh dates, grapes, guava, orange, pineapple, plum, strawberry, sultana.
Vegetables Chicory, chilli peppers, courgette, endive, tinned green olives, peppers, radish, water chestnut.
Seeds and nuts Almonds, peanuts with skins on.
Sweeteners Honey.
Herbs, spices and condiments Basil, bay leaf, caraway, chilli powder, nutmeg, vanilla essence, white pepper.
Oils and fats Coconut oil, olive oil.
Beverages Peppermint tea.

Extremely high

Fruit Dried apricots and dates. Currant, loganberry, prunes, raisin, raspberry, red currant.
Vegetables Gherkins.
Herbs, spices and condiments Allspice, aniseed, black pepper, cardamom, cayenne, celery powder, cinnamon, cloves, cumin, curry powder, dill, fenugreek, garam masala, ginger, liquorice, mace, mint, mustard, oregano, paprika, rosemary, sage, tarragon, turmeric, thyme, wine and cider vinegars.
Beverages Cordials and fruit flavoured drinks, fruit and vegetable juices, tea.

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Alcohol varies in amount. Given the difficulty in fully ascertaining the ingredients of alcoholic beverages, it is best to avoid drinking during the first two weeks. The following list can be only be treated as a very basic guide to levels. The safest course of action would be to introduce your favourite drink as a test.
Probably safe : Gin, whisky and vodka.
High: Beer, brandy, cider, sherry.
Very high: Liqueurs, port, rum, wine.

© Sharla Race


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