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cashews

cashews

Nuts & Seeds

Is cashews high in polyols?

Polyols status
Safe

Is cashews high or low in polyols? See its exact rating, how much counts as a portion, and its FODMAP, salicylate, oxalate and diet compatibility in one place.

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
  • Avocado portion size matters - small amounts may be fine
  • Cauliflower and mushrooms are common triggers

Sensitivities

What cashews contains

FODMAPs

FODMAPsHigh
FructansSafe
GOSHigh
FructoseSafe
PolyolsSafe
LactoseSafe

Histamine & Amines

HistamineModerate
Histamine LiberatorsModerate
TyramineSafe

Plant compounds

SalicylatesLow
OxalatesAvoid
LectinAvoid
NightshadesSafe

Irritants

CaffeineSafe
AlcoholSafe
Spicy FoodsSafe
Acidic FoodsSafe

Additives

SulfitesSafe
NitritesSafe
GlutamatesSafe

Allergens

Dairy ProteinsSafe
GlutenSafe
EggSafe
PeanutModerate
Tree NutsAvoid
SoySafe
FishSafe
CrustaceansSafe
MolluscsSafe
SesameLow
CelerySafe
MustardSafe
LupinSafe
Alpha-galSafe
NickelHigh

Diet fit

Where cashews fits

Therapeutic diets

Low HistamineCheck
Low SalicylateFit
Low FermentationSafe
EoE CompatibleAvoid
AIPAvoid
InflammationFit
Reflux DietCheck
Specific CarbohydrateFit
Low FibreAvoid
Gastroparesis DietAvoid

Lifestyle diets

VeganFit
VegetarianFit
PescatarianFit
MediterraneanFit
DASH DietFit
PaleoFit
Whole30Fit
KetoAvoid
Low-carbAvoid

Religious diets

HalalFit
KosherFit
Hindu (no beef)Fit
JainFit
Buddhist VegetarianFit
Orthodox FastingFit
Ingredient notes

What to know about cashews

Blended into cashew cream, dairy-free cheese or a curry base, cashews turn a whole recipe into a trigger. They are high in oxalate, high in nickel, high in lectins and high FODMAP from their GOS, and because vegan cooking uses a full cup soaked and blended, the dose gets large fast. A splash of cashew cream can push an otherwise gentle dish over the line even when the rest of the plate is clean.

Watch for

  • High in oxalate, and cashew-based creams and cheeses use a big blended portion, so the oxalate dose adds up quickly
  • High in GOS, which makes a creamy sauce a hidden FODMAP source in an otherwise low-FODMAP meal
  • High in nickel and lectins, both worth watching if you react to those
  • Truly raw cashews are never sold, the shell holds urushiol (the poison-ivy compound), so shop cashews are always steamed
Learn More

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.

Want personalized tracking?

Download Triggerbites to log meals, track symptoms, and discover your unique triggers.

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FAQ

Is cashews high in Polyols?

Polyols: low signal for most people.

Can I still eat cashews if I'm sensitive to Polyols?

Usually fine in normal portions.

What else should I check?

Check Tree Nuts, Oxalates, and Lectin next for a fuller picture.