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stevia leaf
Sweeteners
Is stevia leaf high in gos?
Is stevia leaf high or low in gos? See its exact rating, how much counts as a portion, and its FODMAP, salicylate, oxalate and diet compatibility in one place.
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Sensitivity notes
Why gos food checker matters
Galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS) are carbohydrates found mainly in legumes and some vegetables. They're a FODMAP that can ferment in the gut, causing bloating and discomfort in sensitive people.
- Canned and rinsed legumes are lower in GOS than dried
- Start with smaller portions and build up tolerance
- Some people find beano-type enzymes helpful
- Firm tofu is lower in GOS than silken tofu
- Sprouted legumes may be better tolerated
Sensitivities
What stevia leaf contains
FODMAPs
Histamine & Amines
Plant compounds
Irritants
Additives
Allergens
Diet fit
Where stevia leaf fits
Therapeutic diets
Lifestyle diets
Religious diets
What to know about stevia leaf
Stevia leaf is the dried green leaf of Stevia rebaudiana, not the white powder in the packet. That distinction matters more than most people expect. The leaf itself grades clean across every trigger we track: no histamine, no histamine release, no salicylate, no oxalate, no FODMAPs, no fructans, no polyols, no nickel, no sulfites and nothing that feeds bacterial fermentation. Our separate entry for retail stevia scores far worse for gut fermentation, and the reason is what is in the tub rather than what is in the plant: commercial stevia is typically one or two percent steviol glycosides carried in erythritol, maltodextrin, dextrose or inulin. If stevia bloats you, the bulking agent is the first suspect and the leaf is the last.
Watch for
- Green leaf and white powder behave differently in a symptom log.Whole leaf carries no polyol or fermentable filler, while packet stevia usually rides on erythritol or inulin, both of which are well documented causes of bloating and osmotic diarrhoea at everyday doses
- Stevia is in the Asteraceae family alongside ragweed, chrysanthemum, marigold and daisy.Reported allergy to stevia is rare, but if you have ragweed pollen allergy it is a plausible cross-reaction and worth a cautious first exposure
- In the US, whole stevia leaf and crude leaf extract are not approved as sweeteners.FDA has only cleared high-purity steviol glycosides (95 percent or above), and leaf material sits under an import alert, so you will find it sold as a herbal tea or supplement rather than a table sweetener
- The flavour is not neutral.Whole leaf brings a grassy, liquorice-like bitterness that many people mistake for a reaction. Taste aversion and a genuine symptom are different things, and only the log tells them apart
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GOS Guide
Everything you need to know about gos sensitivity and smart food choices.
Galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS) are carbohydrates found mainly in legumes and some vegetables. They're a FODMAP that can ferment in the gut, causing bloating and discomfort in sensitive people.
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 GOS sensitivity:
View all safe options
These foods have moderate levels and may be tolerated in small amounts:
These foods are high in gos and may trigger symptoms:
View full list
If you're sensitive to GOS, consider these strategies:
- 1Canned and rinsed legumes are lower in GOS than dried
- 2Start with smaller portions and build up tolerance
- 3Some people find beano-type enzymes helpful
- 4Firm tofu is lower in GOS than silken tofu
- 5Sprouted legumes may be better tolerated
Pro tip: Keep a food diary to track your reactions. The Triggerbites app makes this easy with automatic pattern detection.
Want personalized tracking?
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Get the AppFAQ
Is stevia leaf high in GOS?
GOS: low signal for most people.
Can I still eat stevia leaf if I'm sensitive to GOS?
Usually fine in normal portions.
What else should I check?
Check AIP, Specific Carbohydrate, and Whole30 next for a fuller picture.