cabbage
Vegetables
Is cabbage high in polyols?
Find out whether cabbage is high or low in polyols, see its exact rating, and check its FODMAP, salicylate, oxalate and diet compatibility all in one place.
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Sensitivity notes
Why polyols food checker matters
Polyols (sugar alcohols) are found naturally in some fruits and vegetables, and are used as artificial sweeteners. They're poorly absorbed and can cause digestive symptoms, especially in IBS sufferers.
- Avoid sugar-free products with sorbitol, mannitol, xylitol, maltitol
- Stone fruits are naturally high in polyols
- Cooking doesn't reduce polyol content
Triggers
Diets
Serving size, prep, and portion notes for cabbage
Cabbage is a low-trigger crucifer: low in histamine when fresh, gluten free and clean on nickel and sulfites, with only mild-to-moderate salicylate and oxalate. Its two real caveats are gut related and fermentation related. Raw cabbage in quantity is a moderate FODMAP (fructans and polyols) that can cause gas and bloating, though cooking makes it gentler, and fermented cabbage, meaning sauerkraut and kimchi, is a completely different story: fermentation turns a low-histamine vegetable into a high-histamine food.
Watch for
Sauerkraut and other fermented cabbage are high in histamine, so if fresh cabbage is fine but sauerkraut gives you flushing or headaches, fermentation is the reason / Moderate FODMAP raw, from fructans and polyols, so a big bowl of coleslaw bloats sensitive guts more than a cooked portion does / Cooking helps: boiled, steamed or sauteed cabbage is easier on the gut than raw, and smaller servings keep the FODMAP load down / Mild-to-moderate salicylates and oxalates, low enough for most people but worth noting if you are strictly limiting either
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Polyols Guide
Everything you need to know about polyols sensitivity and smart food choices.
Polyols (sugar alcohols) are found naturally in some fruits and vegetables, and are used as artificial sweeteners. They're poorly absorbed and can cause digestive symptoms, especially in IBS sufferers.
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 Polyols sensitivity:
View all safe options
These foods have moderate levels and may be tolerated in small amounts:
These foods are high in polyols and may trigger symptoms:
View full list
If you're sensitive to Polyols, consider these strategies:
- 1Avoid sugar-free products with sorbitol, mannitol, xylitol, maltitol
- 2Stone fruits are naturally high in polyols
- 3Cooking doesn't reduce polyol content
- 4Avocado portion size matters - small amounts may be fine
- 5Cauliflower and mushrooms are common triggers
Pro tip: Keep a food diary to track your reactions. The Triggerbites app makes this easy with automatic pattern detection.
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Get the AppFAQ
Is cabbage high in Polyols?
Polyols: moderate signal - portion size matters.
Can I still eat cabbage if I'm sensitive to Polyols?
Try smaller portions and space it out.
What else should I check?
Check FODMAPs, Fructans, and Salicylates next for a fuller picture.