Eggplant

Eggplant's histamine issue isn't primarily about what's in it — it's about how your body responds to it.

• Histamine liberation — eggplant contains compounds that signal your body to release histamine from its own stores, so the reaction can feel disproportionate to the amount eaten

• Cooking and ripeness — older or overripe eggplant may have higher levels of naturally occurring compounds, and cooking doesn't eliminate the liberating effect

Peeling and salting before cooking is a traditional prep step that may help reduce some of the more reactive compounds.