What Is Tyramine?

Tyramine is found in many foods, including wines, ripe cheeses, and fermented or aged foods.

Why Should I Follow a Low-tyramine Diet?

A low-tyramine diet is recommended if you are taking monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), a type of drug found in certain antidepressants, Parkinson’s medications, and antibiotics. Eating foods with high amounts of tyramine while taking MAOIs can cause a drug-nutrient interaction that produces side effects such as elevated blood pressure, headaches, heart palpitations, and chest pain.

Eating Guide for a Low-tyramine Diet

Food CategoryFoods RecommendedFoods to Avoid
Grains
  • All commercial breads (except sourdough)
  • Hot and cold cereals
  • Pasta, rice, grits
  • Fresh or homemade yeast breads, sourdough breads
  • Crackers
Vegetables
  • With the exception of those listed on the right, all fresh, frozen, and canned vegetables—as long as they are not overripe or spoiled
  • Fava beans, Italian broad beans, sauerkraut, Chinese pea pods, fermented pickles and olives
Fruits
  • With the exception of those listed on the right, all fresh, frozen, and canned fruit—as long as they are not overripe or spoiled
  • Bananas, overripe fruit, avocadoes
Milk
  • Plain milk
  • Ricotta, cottage cheese, processed cheese (eg, American), and cream cheese
  • Cultured milk products: yogurt, buttermilk, keifer, sour cream (limit to 4 ounces per day)
  • All cheese not on “recommended” list, aged cheese, cheese sauces
Meat and Beans
  • Fresh or frozen meats, poultry, fish, and shellfish
  • Eggs
  • Legumes
  • Nuts, peanut butter
  • The following are allowed in limited amounts: fresh sausage and pepperoni, canned sardines, caviar and paté (limit to 1 ounce).
  • Liver
  • Smoked or dried meats
  • Smoked, pickled, or dried fish
  • Meat processed with tenderizers
  • Meat extracts
  • Salami
  • Fermented and dry sausage
  • Fermented soybean products
Oils
  • Salad dressings without aged cheese
  • Vegetable oils
  • Nuts, peanut butter
  • Olives
  • Dressings made with aged blue cheese
Beverages
  • Juice
  • Milk
  • Carbonated beverages
  • Decaffeinated coffee and tea
  • These are allowed, but should be limited: chocolate drinks; coffee, tea, and other caffeinated drinks; white wine; bottled or canned beer; and clear spirits (if approved by your doctor).
  • Tap beer, ale, chianti and vermouth wines, sherry, champagne, and mixed drinks
Other
  • Margarine, butter, mayonnaise
  • Salt, pepper, spices, and herbs
  • Sugar
  • Potato chips, popcorn
  • Sherbets, ice cream, and jello
  • Hard candy
  • Cookies, cakes, and other baked products (made without yeast)
  • Limit chocolate desserts, candies, and syrups
  • Teriyaki and soy sauce (limit to ¼ cup per day)
  • Instant soup mixes and bouillon cubes (check ingredients for yeast), miso soup
  • Cheese-filled dessert and cheesecake
  • Imported chocolate
  • Brewer's yeast
  • MSG
  • All aged and fermented products

Additional Suggestions

  • Limit caffeine intake. While there is no tyramine in caffeine, consuming too much caffeine can result in high blood pressure.
  • Check ingredient lists for the presence of tyramine-containing ingredients, such as marmite and yeast-extracts.
  • The fresher your food is, the less likely it is to contain high levels of tyramine:
    • Promptly refrigerate or freeze foods.
    • Use or toss leftovers within 48 hours.
    • Eat allowed fresh meats within three days.
    • Eat allowed cheese within three to four weeks.
  • Do not eat combination foods that contain foods on the “avoid” list.
  • Continue this diet for four weeks after stopping your MAOI’s (or as directed by your physician).