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aspartame
Sweeteners
Trigger checker for aspartame
See aspartame rated across every trigger — FODMAP, histamine, salicylate, oxalate, tyramine and more — plus diet compatibility, all in one quick ingredient profile.
Sensitivities
What aspartame contains
Plant compounds
Additives
Diet fit
Where aspartame fits
Therapeutic diets
What to know about aspartame
Aspartame is clean right across the food-chemistry triggers: no histamine, no tyramine, no salicylate, no lactose, no gluten, no sulfites, and it is low FODMAP with no polyol content, so it does not behave like the sugar alcohols people confuse it with. It has one hard, non-negotiable caveat, and it is genetic rather than digestive: aspartame is built from aspartic acid and phenylalanine, so anyone with phenylketonuria must avoid it, which is why packs carry a "contains a source of phenylalanine" warning.
Watch for
- Contains phenylalanine, so it is unsafe in phenylketonuria (PKU).This is the only absolute restriction on it and it is the reason for the label warning
- Graded pro-inflammatory and not compatible with paleo or AIP, both diet-pattern notes rather than sensitivity triggers
- Diet colas and energy drinks sweetened with aspartame usually also contain caffeine and phosphoric acid, so if a diet drink gives you headaches or reflux, log the whole drink before you pin it on the sweetener
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FAQ
What does the FODMAP rating mean for aspartame?
No FODMAP rating yet: start small and log how you feel.
Is aspartame generally well tolerated?
Lectin (Avoid) and Added sweeteners (Avoid) Start with those if you react.
What should I check next?
Compare within the Sweeteners group.