Low Salicylate Diet

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Feb 20, 2025.

What is it?

• A low salicylate (suh-lih-suh-late) diet means eating foods that have little salicylate in them. Salicylate is a chemical that is found in some foods. It is also the chemical that is in aspirin.
• You may need to follow this diet if you are allergic to aspirin. Or you may need to use this diet if your caregivers think you may have a food allergy. Some people who are allergic to salicylate are also allergic to yellow food dye #5, or tartrazine. This diet tells you which foods are high in salicylates.

Care:

• Do not take aspirin or other medicine that has aspirin in it.
• It is OK to eat meat, milk, and dairy products. Do not eat foods that are on the lists of foods to avoid.

Beverages:

• Avoid the following beverages:
  • Beer, birch beer, and root beer
  • Bubbly drinks (like soda pop or sparkling water)
  • Distilled drinks (like whiskey, vodka, bourbon, or gin)
  • Tea
  • Wine
• The following beverages are OK to drink:
  • Cereal drinks
  • Decaffeinated coffee
  • Fruit juices allowed on the fruit list below
  • Milk (any kind)

Breads and Starches:

• Avoid the following breads and starches:
  • Potatoes
• The following breads and starches are OK to eat:
  • Breads and cereals
  • Corn and popcorn
  • Noodles and pastas
  • Peas
  • Rice
  • Rolls, croissants, and bagels

Desserts / Sweets:

• Avoid the following desserts and sweets:
  • Mint or wintergreen products
  • Pies and cakes made with fruits
• The following desserts and sweets are OK to eat:
  • Homemade cakes and cookies made without avoided fruits

Fats:

• Avoid the following fats:
  • Almonds, peanuts and avocados
  • Mayonnaise
  • Olives and olive oil
  • Salad dressings
• The following fats are OK to eat:
  • Butter and margarine
  • Cashews and pecans
  • Vegetable oils

Fruits:

• Avoid the following fruits and juices made from them:
  • Apples and apple cider
  • Apricots
  • Berries: blackberries, boysenberries, raspberries, blueberries, cranberries and strawberries
  • Cherries
  • Currants
  • Dates
  • Gooseberries and huckleberries
  • Grapes and raisins
  • Maraschino cherries
  • Melon (all kinds), pineapple and oranges
  • Nectarines and peaches
  • Plums and prunes
  • Pomegranates
• The following fruits and juices made from them are OK:
  • Bananas
  • Cranberries
  • Grapefruit and lemons
  • Mangos and papayas
  • Pears
  • Rhubarb
  • Tangerines

Vegetables:

• Avoid the following vegetables, but any other vegetables are OK to eat:
  • Canned mushrooms
  • Cucumbers
  • Green peppers
  • Radishes
  • Tabasco peppers
  • Tomatoes
• The following vegetables are examples of what is OK to eat:
  • Asparagus
  • Carrots
  • Fresh mushrooms
  • Green and wax beans
  • Greens
  • Lettuce, spinach, and other greens
  • Squash

Other:

• Avoid the following items:
  • Cloves
  • Mint or wintergreen flavorings
  • Pickles
• The following items are OK to eat:
  • Chocolate and cocoa
  • Salt and pepper
  • Some spices, such as fresh coriander leaves. Avoid basil, bay leaf, caraway, chilli powder, nutmeg, vanilla essence, white pepper.
  • Sugar and syrup
  • Vinegar

CALL YOUR CAREGIVER IF:

• You have questions about the serving sizes for this diet.
• You have questions about how to prepare or cook foods for this diet.
• You have questions about how or where to buy foods for this diet.
• You have questions or concerns about your illness, medicine, or this diet.

Care Agreement

You have the right to help plan your care. To help with this plan, you must learn about your diet. You can then discuss treatment options with your caregivers. Work with them to decide what care may be used to treat you. You always have the right to refuse treatment.

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Medical Disclaimer