feta
Dairy & Alternatives
Is feta high in polyols?
Find out whether feta is high or low in polyols, see its exact rating, and check its FODMAP, salicylate, oxalate and diet compatibility all in one place.
Related checkers
Compare feta across criteria
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 feta
Feta tells a different story from the hard aged cheeses. It is a brined sheep and goat milk cheese, so the salting keeps its lactose lower, yet the fermentation still leaves it high in histamine and, unusually, it is a histamine liberator on top of that, plus high in tyramine. That combination means feta can bring on hives, flushing or a headache even in fairly small crumbles.
Watch for
High in histamine from its brine fermentation, and separately a histamine liberator, meaning it also nudges your body to release its own histamine / High in tyramine, so despite its soft fresh texture it sits with the aged cheeses as a migraine and MAOI-diet trigger / Lower in lactose than cheddar or parmesan because of the brining, but still very high in casein and whey for a milk allergy
Explore related in Dairy & Alternatives
Compare similar foods to build a personalized list of swaps that work for your system.
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 feta high in Polyols?
Polyols: low signal for most people.
Can I still eat feta if I'm sensitive to Polyols?
Usually fine in normal portions.
What else should I check?
Check Dairy Proteins, Vegan, and Paleo AIP next for a fuller picture.