cheddar cheese
Dairy & Alternatives
Is cheddar cheese high in polyols?
Find out whether cheddar cheese 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 cheddar cheese
Cheddar is an aged cow milk cheese, and the sharper the block the bigger the trigger load: ripening steadily builds both histamine and tyramine, so extra-mature or sharp cheddar bothers people more than a mild young one. It is high in histamine and tyramine, one of the major dairy allergens, and high in lactose too, which is why "is cheddar high in histamine" and "is cheddar bad for migraines" are such common questions.
Watch for
High in tyramine, and because it keeps accumulating as the cheese ages, sharp and extra-mature cheddar is a classic migraine trigger and a food to avoid on an MAOI diet / High in histamine that develops through ripening, so it can bring on headaches, flushing or a blocked nose if you are histamine intolerant / One of the major dairy allergens (casein and whey) and high in lactose, so it can hit both a milk allergy and lactose intolerance at once / Rated poorly for SIBO and not AIP compliant, worth noting on a gut-reset or elimination phase
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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 cheddar cheese high in Polyols?
Polyols: low signal for most people.
Can I still eat cheddar cheese if I'm sensitive to Polyols?
Usually fine in normal portions.
What else should I check?
Check Lactose, Lectin, and Low Fermentation next for a fuller picture.