Vegetable stock

Vegetable stock seems like it should be safe, but what goes into it makes a big difference.

• High-histamine vegetables in the mix — common stock ingredients like tomatoes and spinach are associated with histamine or histamine-related reactions, and simmering concentrates their compounds into every spoonful

• Commercial stocks often include problematic additives — store-bought vegetable stocks frequently contain yeast extract or tomato paste, which can make them higher-load than a simple homemade version with low-histamine vegetables

Making your own stock from lower-histamine vegetables like zucchini, carrots, and leeks gives you much more control over what ends up in the pot.