Amino acids are used to build proteins by every cell in your body. Tyramine is an amino acid that works to regulate blood pressure. If you take an MAOI, or monoamine oxidase inhibitor for treatment of depression, you may need to be on a low-tyramine diet to prevent dangerous spikes in blood pressure.
Aged and Hard Cheeses
All hard aged cheeses contain tyramine. The exceptions are cream cheese, cottage cheese, farmer's cheese and ricotta.
Fruits and Vegetables
Avoid overripe fruits -- especially bananas -- and any pickled or fermented vegetable, such as sauerkraut, pickles or olives. Do not eat any fermented soy foods such as soy sauce, tofu, miso, tempeh and natto.
Legumes and Nuts
Avoid all beans and nuts. This includes fava beans, snow pea pods and Italian beans.
Aged, Smoked and Marinated Meats
Freshness is most important when avoiding tyramine, and any protein that is mishandled or improperly stored can contain high levels of tyramine. Avoid leftovers, pates, dried sausages, lunch meat such as salami, bologna, pepperoni or baked ham, hot dogs and any smoked meats or fishes such as pickled herring or shrimp paste.
Condiments
Condiments that contain yeast, such as meat tenderizers or bouillon cubes, dry instant soup mixes and gravies contain large amounts of tyramine. Yeast in leavened breads is fine, except for sourdough.
Beverages
All alcoholic and fermented beverages are high in tyramine, especially Chianti and vermouth. Small quantities of domestic beer are acceptable..
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