fish sauce
Condiments & Sauces
Is fish sauce high in polyols?
Is fish sauce 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 fish sauce contains
FODMAPs
Histamine & Amines
Plant compounds
Irritants
Additives
Allergens
Diet fit
Where fish sauce fits
Therapeutic diets
Lifestyle diets
Religious diets
What to know about fish sauce
Fish sauce is one of the highest-histamine ingredients in the kitchen. It is made by fermenting salted anchovies for months, and that slow breakdown of fish protein loads it with histamine and tyramine. On top of that it acts as a histamine liberator, nudging your body to release its own histamine, so even a splash in a stir-fry or dressing can trigger flushing, headache or a racing heart if you have histamine intolerance. It also carries moderate free glutamate, the umami compound behind its savory depth.
Watch for
- Very high in histamine because it is aged fermented anchovy, a classic trigger for flushing, hives, headache or a stuffy nose
- Doubles as a histamine liberator, so it can set off symptoms beyond its own histamine load
- High in tyramine, which matters if you are on an MAOI or get tyramine-linked migraines
- Moderate free glutamate gives the umami kick but can bother people sensitive to MSG-like additives
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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 fish sauce high in Polyols?
Polyols: low signal for most people.
Can I still eat fish sauce if I'm sensitive to Polyols?
Usually fine in normal portions.
What else should I check?
Check Histamine, Histamine Liberators, and Fish next for a fuller picture.