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mint sauce

mint sauce

Condiments & Sauces

Is mint sauce high in fructans?

Fructans status
Safe

Find out whether mint sauce is high or low in fructans, see its exact rating, and check its FODMAP, salicylate, oxalate and diet compatibility all in one place.

Sensitivity notes

Why fructans food checker matters

Fructans are chains of fructose molecules found in wheat, onions, garlic, and many other foods. They're a type of FODMAP that can cause digestive symptoms in sensitive individuals because they're not well absorbed in the small intestine.

  • Garlic-infused oil is low-FODMAP since fructans don't dissolve in oil
  • Green parts of leeks and scallions are lower in fructans
  • Sourdough bread may be better tolerated than regular wheat bread

Triggers

HistamineLow
Histamine LiberatorsModerate
FODMAPsLow
FructansSafe
GOSSafe
FructoseLow
PolyolsSafe
GlutenSafe
LactoseSafe
Dairy ProteinsSafe
NightshadesSafe
SalicylatesModerate
OxalatesSafe
NickelSafe
SulfitesLow
NitritesSafe
GlutamatesSafe
TyramineSafe
CaffeineSafe
LectinSafe
Low FermentationLow

Diets

GlutenFit
InflammationAvoid
VeganFit
VegetarianFit
Paleo AIPAvoid
MediterraneanAvoid
DASH DietAvoid
EoE CompatibleFit
FODMAPsAvoid
Low FermentationAvoid
Priority ingredient notes

Serving size, prep, and portion notes for mint sauce

Mint sauce is the British condiment for roast lamb: finely chopped mint steeped in vinegar with a little sugar, thin and sharp, nothing like the sweet green jelly sold under a similar name elsewhere. Reading its grades tells you it is really two ingredients arguing. The mint brings salicylate, which lands at C, moderate, well below the E we grade fresh mint at, because a teaspoon of chopped leaf spread through a jar is a fraction of a handful of herb. The vinegar brings everything else: histamine B, histamine liberation C and sulfite B, none of which plain mint carries at all, since our mint entry grades A across all three. The sugar accounts for FODMAPs B and excess fructose B. Everything that usually complicates a condiment is absent: no dairy, no lactose, no nightshade, no nickel, no glutamates, and gluten grades A, though the vinegar is worth a second look if you are coeliac.

Watch for

Salicylate C, and it is the reason to be careful. Mint is one of the most salicylate-dense culinary herbs going, and mint sauce only grades moderate because it is diluted and eaten by the spoon. A generous puddle beside the lamb, on top of a day that already included tea, herbs and tomato, closes that gap quickly / The histamine and sulfite grades belong to the vinegar. Histamine B, histamine liberation C and sulfite B all appear here and none of them appear on fresh mint. If a mint sauce reaction reads as flushing, a blocked nose or a headache rather than the itch or rash of a salicylate response, the vinegar is the more likely culprit / Gluten grades A, but check which vinegar. Traditional British mint sauce is made with malt vinegar, which is brewed from barley, and Coeliac UK stopped listing barley malt vinegar products as suitable for coeliacs in January 2021 unless they are specifically labelled gluten free. A version made with wine or cider vinegar removes the question entirely / FODMAPs B and excess fructose B are sugar, and the sugar varies wildly by product. A sharp homemade sauce is barely sweetened, a supermarket jar can be considerably sweeter, and mint jelly is a different food again: it is set with sugar and grades nothing like this / Mint reaches most people from several directions at once, through gum, toothpaste, after-dinner mints and tea, so the sauce is rarely the whole salicylate story on a day when it caused trouble

Learn More

Fructans Guide

Everything you need to know about fructans sensitivity and smart food choices.

Fructans are chains of fructose molecules found in wheat, onions, garlic, and many other foods. They're a type of FODMAP that can cause digestive symptoms in sensitive individuals because they're not well absorbed in the small intestine.

Sensitivity varies widely. What triggers one person may be fine for another. Track your reactions to find your personal threshold.

These foods are generally well-tolerated for Fructans sensitivity:

View all safe options

These foods have moderate levels and may be tolerated in small amounts:

These foods are high in fructans and may trigger symptoms:

View full list

If you're sensitive to Fructans, consider these strategies:

  • 1Garlic-infused oil is low-FODMAP since fructans don't dissolve in oil
  • 2Green parts of leeks and scallions are lower in fructans
  • 3Sourdough bread may be better tolerated than regular wheat bread
  • 4Spelt and ancient grains still contain fructans despite marketing claims
  • 5Portion size matters - small amounts may be tolerable

Pro tip: Keep a food diary to track your reactions. The Triggerbites app makes this easy with automatic pattern detection.

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FAQ

Is mint sauce high in Fructans?

Fructans: low signal for most people.

Can I still eat mint sauce if I'm sensitive to Fructans?

Usually fine in normal portions.

What else should I check?

Check Histamine Liberators, Salicylates, and Histamine next for a fuller picture.