Back to Polyols food checker
date

date

Fruit

Is date high in polyols?

Polyols status
Moderate

Is date 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 date contains

FODMAPs

FODMAPsHigh
FructansSafe
GOSSafe
FructoseHigh
PolyolsModerate
LactoseSafe

Histamine & Amines

HistamineSafe
Histamine LiberatorsSafe
TyramineSafe

Plant compounds

SalicylatesHigh
OxalatesAvoid
Lectin
NightshadesSafe

Irritants

CaffeineSafe
AlcoholSafe
Spicy FoodsSafe
Acidic FoodsSafe

Additives

SulfitesSafe
NitritesSafe
GlutamatesSafe

Allergens

Dairy ProteinsSafe
GlutenSafe
EggSafe
PeanutSafe
Tree NutsSafe
SoySafe
FishSafe
CrustaceansSafe
MolluscsSafe
SesameSafe
CelerySafe
MustardSafe
LupinSafe
Alpha-galSafe
NickelModerate

Diet fit

Where date fits

Therapeutic diets

Low HistamineFit
Low SalicylateAvoid
Low FermentationSafe
EoE CompatibleFit
AIPCheck
InflammationFit
Reflux DietFit
Specific CarbohydrateFit
Low FibreAvoid
Gastroparesis DietAvoid

Lifestyle diets

VeganFit
VegetarianFit
PescatarianFit
MediterraneanFit
DASH DietFit
PaleoFit
Whole30Check
KetoAvoid
Low-carbAvoid

Religious diets

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

What to know about date

Dates are a sticky, sweet, concentrated-sugar bomb, and the trigger data shows why they hit harder than their small size suggests. They are high FODMAP from excess fructose, high in salicylates, and very high in oxalates: a single date carries around 24 mg, putting dates among the highest-oxalate fruits and a real concern for calcium-oxalate kidney stones. Unlike prunes and dried apricots the polyol level is only moderate, so with dates the story is fructose, salicylate and oxalate, not sorbitol.

Watch for

  • Very high in oxalates, among the highest of any fruit, so dates are worth limiting if you are prone to calcium-oxalate kidney stones
  • High FODMAP from excess fructose, the concentrated sugar behind the bloating and gas people get from just a couple of dates
  • High in salicylates, a separate trigger if you react to aspirin-type or salicylate-rich foods
  • Moderate for nickel, worth noting if you have systemic nickel allergy and are stacking other nickel-rich foods
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 date high in Polyols?

Polyols: moderate signal - portion size matters.

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

Try smaller portions and space it out.

What else should I check?

Check Oxalates, Low Fibre, and Gastroparesis Diet next for a fuller picture.