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MCAS & Histamine Recipes
We're here to help. Below you'll find answers to common questions. If you need further assistance, don't hesitate to reach out.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is MCAS & Histamine Recipes?
MCAS & Histamine Recipes is a cookbook app for people with histamine intolerance. It contains every recipe from histaminetracker.com, organized by category, with search, dietary filters, ingredient-by-ingredient histamine ratings, favorites, and a grocery list. The whole library is saved on your device, so it works without an internet connection.
What is free, and what does the upgrade unlock?
Browsing the full library, search, all filters, favorites, and the grocery list are free, and two recipes in every category are fully open so you can cook from the app without paying. The remaining recipes show their photo, times, and dietary chips but keep their ingredients and instructions locked. The upgrade unlocks every recipe in the library, including recipes added after you install.
Why is a recipe locked?
Only the first two recipes in each category are open on the free tier. Every other recipe shows a locked ingredient list with an "Unlock all recipes" button. Tap it to see the plans, or go to the Profile tab and tap "Unlock All Recipes". If you have already paid and a recipe is still locked, see "How do I restore my purchase?" below.
What is the difference between the subscription and the lifetime purchase?
Both unlock the same thing: every recipe. The yearly subscription renews automatically each year until you cancel and may start with a free trial. The lifetime option is a single one-time payment through Apple that never renews and has no trial. Prices for both are shown in the app before you buy. Choose whichever suits you; you never need both.
How do I restore my purchase?
If you reinstalled the app or moved to a new phone, open the Profile tab and tap "Restore Purchases". Make sure you are signed in to the same Apple ID you used when you bought the subscription or lifetime unlock. Purchases are tied to your Apple ID, not to an account in the app, so there is nothing to log in to.
How do I cancel my subscription?
Subscriptions are managed by Apple, not inside the app. On your iPhone, open Settings, tap your name at the top, tap Subscriptions, choose MCAS & Histamine Recipes, and tap Cancel Subscription. You can also get there from the Profile tab by tapping "Manage Subscription". To avoid being charged after a free trial, cancel at least 24 hours before the trial ends. Deleting the app does not cancel a subscription.
How are the dietary filters decided?
Filters such as Dairy-free, Gluten-free, Egg-free, Nut-free, No liberators, and No DAO blockers are worked out automatically from each recipe's ingredient list, not from a label someone wrote. That makes them strict: if a recipe lists butter, even as an optional swap, it counts as containing dairy and the Dairy-free filter will hide it, even if the recipe's page on the website describes it as dairy-free. When a filter hides something you expected, open the recipe and read the ingredients; the reason will be in the list. The Vegan and Low-FODMAP filters use the recipe's stated dietary tags. A recipe published on the website after your app version was built may not have filter data yet, so filters hide it until the app has downloaded its details.
Where do the ingredient ratings come from?
Every rating comes from the histaminetracker.com food index, a database of over 1,000 foods rated low, moderate, or high histamine based on published research and the SIGHI compatibility list. Tap any rated ingredient in a recipe to read its full entry and references. Ratings are general information: freshness, preparation, and your own sensitivity all matter, and a food rated low can still bother some people.
Does the app work offline?
Yes. The full recipe library, including thumbnails, ships inside the app, and your favorites and grocery list live on your device. You only need a connection to load full-size recipe photos, to pick up recipes published since your version was built, and to buy or restore the upgrade.
Will my favorites come back if I reinstall?
Favorites are saved on your device under an anonymous identity that the app creates when you first open it. There is no email or login, so when you delete the app that identity is gone with it, and a fresh install starts with an empty favorites list. Your purchase is not affected: it is tied to your Apple ID and comes back with "Restore Purchases".
How do I delete my data?
Open the Profile tab and tap "Delete My Data". This erases your favorites, your survey answers' link to you, and your anonymous account from our servers, clears favorites and filters on your device, and starts a fresh anonymous session. It does not cancel an Apple subscription; do that in your iPhone's Settings as described above.
The app has a recipe the website doesn't, or the website has one the app doesn't
The website is where recipes are written, and the app refreshes its list from histaminetracker.com about once a day when it is online. A recipe that is new on the website appears in the app after its next refresh (open the app with a connection and give it a moment). A recipe that was removed from the website may remain in the app until your next app update, because the library ships inside the app so it works offline.
Is my privacy protected?
Yes. The app does not ask for your name or email, uses no camera, microphone, or AI service, and includes no advertising or third-party analytics kits. It keeps an anonymous account so your purchase can be recognized and stores favorites and basic usage events under it. See our Privacy Policy for details.
Is this a substitute for medical advice?
No. MCAS & Histamine Recipes is an educational cookbook, not a medical device, and it does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Histamine tolerance is individual, and the ingredient ratings and filters are general information. Talk to your doctor or a registered dietitian about your diet, and always check the labels of the products you buy.
I found a bug or have a feature request
We'd love to hear from you. You can email us directly using the contact information below.
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We typically respond within 1 to 2 business days.