Christy CushingThis post contains links that are affiliate links, meaning at no additional cost to you, I will earn a small commission if you click through and make a purchase. For more information, check out my disclosure policy.
I read the symptoms of nickel poisoning can include “headache, nausea, vomiting, vertigo coughing, respiratory problems, interference with enzymes in the Krebs cycle, skin rashes and chest pain.” (Kirschmann, 2007, Nutrition Almanac, pg. 74) (affiliate link).
In regards to absorption, the Kirschmann writes “average [nickel] intake is 60-162 micrograms per day depending on the diet, since plant foods are relatively high in nickel and animal foods low. Nickel is absorbed in the small intestine. Unabsorbed nickel is mostly eliminated in the feces. Absorbed nickel is rapidly and efficiently excreted via the kidneys and does not accumulate in the body.” (Nutrition Almanac, pg. 74).
My take away from this paragraph is that to avoid nickel toxicity, I need to ensure I drink enough water and that I have get enough fiber in my diet to stay regular. One of the challenges with eating a low nickel diet is that many foods high in fiber are also very high in nickel like bran, leafy greens, beans, raspberries, oats, lentils, nuts, peas, soy and seeds. Since I am super sensitive to nickel, ensuring I eat enough fiber is furthermore essential to keeping my digestive system working properly.
There are two different types of fiber, soluble and insoluble. It’s important to eat a variety of foods that both have soluble and insoluble fiber. My understanding is that insoluble sources of fiber help with digestion. I’ve tried to develop a comprehensive list of foods that are both higher in fiber and aren’t high in nickel.
Soluble sources of fiber in foods that aren’t high in nickel include:
- Sweet potatoes
- Asparagus
- Eggplant
- Potatoes
- Beets
- Carrots
- Passion fruit
- Banana
- Oranges
- Nectarines
- Mango
- Peaches (with skin)
- Pears (with skin)
- Apples (with skin)
- Plums (with skin)
- Apricots (with skin)
Insoluble sources of fiber in foods that aren’t high in nickel include:
- Turnips
- Broccoli
- Cauliflower
- Potatoes
- Beets
- Bell peppers
- Corn
- Popcorn
- Zucchini
- Grapes
- Strawberries
- Blackberries
- Boysenberries
- Pears (with skin)
- Apples (with skin)
- Plums (with skin)
- Apricots (with skin)
When I was first diagnosed with my nickel allergy, I discovered that many of the foods I ate regularly (because I was told they were healthy) are high in nickel. Too much of anything turns out, isn’t a good thing. Kirschmann writes “excess fiber causes vitamins and minerals to be bound and excreted before the body can use them” (2007, p. 14). As in everything, balance is crucial.
While eating the low nickel diet, I try to incorporate more foods higher in both soluble and insoluble fiber while also drinking plenty of water!
What about you, what tips or techniques to you use to ensure you eat enough fiber in your low nickel diet? Let me know my commenting below.
Christy Cushing
Stevie Howe
25 comments
I see you have some citric fruits and avocados listed…you do ok with them?
I am very sensible to nickel too..not much out there so happy to find your blog!
Hi Siany,
Thanks for your kind words. I am happy you found my blog and it’s been useful for you. Yes, I don’t have any issues eating citrus or avocados.
Warm regards,
Christy
Hi. This confusing, they said avocado is high in nickel. Apple & banana should be eaten sparingly. Did I get that information wrong?
Hi Anna,
Thanks for your comments. There’s a lot of variety for what foods may be low, medium or higher in nickel for several reasons, some of which I discuss in my low nickel gardening post. You’re correct that avocados can be higher to a medium amount of nickel. The trickiest aspect of this diet is that what can work for 1 person doesn’t necessarily work for another, or can perhaps be tolerated after a period of time eating the low nickel diet, which is why using a food journal can be so beneficial. I’m able to tolerate apples and bananas and I’m not aware they’re known for being higher in nickel.
Warm regards,
Christy
I also have a nickel allergy & get swollen eyes and red eyeballs if I have eaten food containing higher levels of nickel especially chocolate, hazelnuts, high juice fruit drinks & tinned tuna. I had to work it out for myself what was causing my eyes to swell & redden. It was only when I thought about nickel in food that I started to cut out these foods & my eyes cleared up in a day or two. Nutella! A food to avoid with a nickel allergy.
Hi June,
I am happy to hear you discovered your own nickel allergy and that it was what was causing your swollen itchy eyes. That’s amazing when you eliminated foods higher in nickel in your diet, your symptoms cleared in 2 days! I do avoid chocolate, which includes nutella!
Warm regards,
Christy
Hello Christy, My name is Shannon and I have never been diagnosed but i know that i am allergic to nickel because for yrs. I have worn fake or nickel plated jewelry and always broke out with a rash around my neck, with broken blisters that oozed and now my allergy has gotten worse. Any time i eat chocolate or shellfish I breakout with a rash all over. Now when I was little I ate too much chocolate one time and had broke out in hives all over. Shouldn’t that have given my parents an indication that I had an allergy
Hi Shannon,
Thanks for your comment. I know what you mean in that whenever you wear/wore cheap jewelry you knew the nickel content was causing your rash. When the systemic nickel allergy, I think it’s more challenging to diagnose and identify exactly what’s the culprit, because it can take our bodies time to react and isn’t always instant, like with a contact allergy. I didn’t know anything about systemic or nickel food allergies until I was diagnosed and I hear from many others who shared that same experience. Now you know, which hopefully is a relief.
Warm regards,
Christy
In my mid 20’s I had an allergy test done at dermatologist’s office. I had a 2+ reaction. The dr had her staff come in so they would recognize it if they had to read a patch test. Course the ONLY patch to react was the nickel. My reaction isn’t just a skin reaction anymore, now I get digestive issues with food high in nickel. I ate a bunch of raspberries and boy did I ever pay for it. (Didnt know they were high in nickel)
Lauren,
Thanks for your comment. I totally understand, my skin patch test also tested positive for nickel and learning about the low nickel diet shocked me. I had to radically change my eating habits and I also had no idea so many foods I ate all the time were higher in nickel.
Warm regards,
Christy
Hi Christy
Great to find this site. I have acute nickel allergy a severe break out 3 mths ago whilst counting coin on my lap not realising.
Since then I have now been diagnosed with Pemphigus Vulgaris (persistent mouth ulcers) Although being told otherwise I can’t help but think there is a connection as I drank out of a metal bottle just prior to getting mouth ulcers. I am wondering if any of your readers may have had a similar experience.
Leigh
Hi, I’ve read that Avocado’s nickel content can fluctuate from low to high, and that it’s therefore advisable not to consume it if you have nickel sensitivity. In the pamphlet, they quote 60mcg per 100g avocado, which is probably the average that they’d found in their study. And for Dried apricots it’s around 120mg per 100g. I was eating dried apricots and realized it was contributing to ongoing rash. Once I stopped, the rash also slowly subsided. Still not completely figured out what else I’m reacting to, but every little bit helps.
Thanks for your comments. There’s a lot of variety for what foods may be low, medium or higher in nickel for several reasons. You’re correct that avocados can be higher to a medium amount of nickel. The trickiest aspect of this diet is that what can work for 1 person doesn’t necessarily work for another, or can perhaps be tolerated after a period of time eating the low nickel diet, which is why using a food journal can be so beneficial.
Warm regards,
Christy
Thank you for the article. I don’t get on to read your post as often as I would like to, but they’re always very educational.
Heidi,
Thanks for your comment and appreciation for my website. I’m glad many of my blog posts have been useful for you!
Warm regards,
Christy
I was diagnosed years ago with dyshidrotic eczema on the bottom of my feet. I had it for years and it would only manifest at night. I just recently found out it is from nickel and I eliminated nuts and peanut butter from my diet. It’s been a month and no flare ups. Wish I had known years ago the two were related.
Sue,
Thanks for your comment. It’s wonderful to hear that removing nuts and peanuts from your diet did wonders for your dyshidrotic eczema. Sometime it takes what it takes to truly understand the cause and effect of what’s going on internally in our bodies.
Warm regards,
Christy
Christy,
Thank you for this website and all you do to help us. I am 75 years old, and have suffered with mouth ulcers, eczema, and severe constipation all my life. I was diagnosed with severe nickel allergy two months ago. I should have known since I have never been able to wear jewelry without blistering. When I eliminated chocolate, peanut butter, and protein powder from my diet, it caused serious withdrawal symptoms, but I succeeded. Now the big problem is constipation since flax and psyllium husks were my go-to in my fruit shakes for that issue. Dairy products cause almost immediate sinus issues, so almond milk was my source for protein shakes. My concerns now are getting enough protein without shakes, and enough fiber with just eating high-in-fiber foods. Do you know of a nickel-free protein powder? I would love to know what fiber foods work for you. Thank You. Your website is so helpful!
Hi Shari,
Thanks for our comment and appreciation for my website. Not all individuals allergic to nickel by contact do not always experience internal reactions from foods higher in nickel, so there’s really no way to know without talking with a medical provider and undergoing skin patch testing in combination with an elimination diet of higher nickel foods. It’s wonderful to hear you were able to succeed in the elimination of those foods, even though you had withdrawal symptoms. I do take Benefiber powder supplements from time to time, which the only ingredient is whet dextrin. Unfortunately I don’t know of any protein powders that don’t contain ingredients that are higher in nickel as most include soy, nut or seeds. I eat all of the higher fiber foods found in this post, meat of all kinds and hard-boiled eggs for protein.
Warm regards,
Christy
Do you take any fiber supplements and if so what do you find to be more tolerable w. the nickel allergy? I have a nickel allergy and was recently diagnosed with diverticulitis, too.
Hi Karen,
Thanks for your comment. From time to time, I do take Benefiber powder supplements from time to time, which the only ingredient is wheat dextrin. It doesn’t seem to cause my nickel allergy to flare.
Warm regards,
Christy
Have you tried Apple fiber supplements? It should hypothetically be lower in nickel than wheat dextrin, yeah?
Hi Karaoke,
Thanks for your comment. I wasn’t aware of apple fiber supplements until your comment, Generally the ones I found online don’t have any ingredients besides apples. I haven’t personally tried them, but would be interested in learning whether you did and how it went?
Warm regards,
Christy
Just diagnosed with a systemic nickel allergy and at a loss for what sources of fiber I can eat since oats, nuts, and raspberries were always a big part of my diet. So glad I found this post via google. Thank you!
Hi Connie,
Thanks for your comment and I’m so glad my website and specifically this post has been helpful for you as you navigate living and eating low nickel.
Warm regards,
Christy