Back to Polyols food checker
cottage cheese
Dairy & Alternatives
Is cottage cheese high in polyols?
Is cottage cheese 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.
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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
- Avocado portion size matters - small amounts may be fine
- Cauliflower and mushrooms are common triggers
Sensitivities
What cottage cheese contains
FODMAPs
Histamine & Amines
Plant compounds
Irritants
Additives
Allergens
Diet fit
Where cottage cheese fits
Therapeutic diets
Lifestyle diets
Religious diets
What to know about cottage cheese
Cottage cheese has become the go-to high-protein snack, but it is one of the fresher dairy foods on lactose, graded high, and it still carries the milk proteins casein and whey. That is why a food marketed as healthy and gut-friendly can leave lactose-intolerant people bloated, gassy or cramping within an hour. The upside: unlike aged parmesan or cheddar it is barely fermented, so it stays low in histamine, which makes the reaction almost always about lactose and dairy protein rather than amines.
Watch for
- High in lactose, so the protein hit comes with the bloating, gas and loose stools of lactose intolerance if you do not tolerate milk sugar
- Contains casein and whey, the milk proteins that trigger a dairy sensitivity even in someone whose gut handles lactose fine
- Low in histamine, unlike aged cheese, so a reaction here points to lactose or dairy protein rather than to an amine
- Only borderline for SIBO, but a large tub still adds fermentable lactose that can feed excess gas
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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.
Want personalized tracking?
Download Triggerbites to log meals, track symptoms, and discover your unique triggers.
Get the AppFAQ
Is cottage cheese high in Polyols?
Polyols: low signal for most people.
Can I still eat cottage cheese if I'm sensitive to Polyols?
Usually fine in normal portions.
What else should I check?
Check Lactose, Dairy Proteins, and Lectin next for a fuller picture.