leek
Vegetables
Is leek high in polyols?
Is leek 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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Compare leek 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
- Avocado portion size matters - small amounts may be fine
- Cauliflower and mushrooms are common triggers
Sensitivities
What leek contains
FODMAPs
Histamine & Amines
Plant compounds
Irritants
Additives
Allergens
Diet fit
Where leek fits
Therapeutic diets
Lifestyle diets
Religious diets
What to know about leek
Leeks are a high-FODMAP allium: the white base is loaded with fructans, the same trigger that makes onion and garlic so hard on IBS. The dark green tops hold far fewer fructans, so the classic trick is to cook with the greens for flavour and leave the white part out, exactly the way you would use scallions. Leeks are otherwise low in histamine and salicylates.
Watch for
- The white bulb is very high in fructans, a frequent IBS, bloating and gas trigger
- The green tops are much lower in fructans, so use the green part and discard the white
- Cooking or sauteing does not remove the fructans; they are water-soluble and stay in the dish
- Mildly higher in nickel than many vegetables, a minor point on a strict low-nickel diet
Explore related in Vegetables
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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 leek high in Polyols?
Polyols: low signal for most people.
Can I still eat leek if I'm sensitive to Polyols?
Usually fine in normal portions.
What else should I check?
Check Fructans, Jain, and Buddhist Vegetarian next for a fuller picture.