Back to Polyols food checker
lentils
Legumes/Pulses
Is lentils high in polyols?
Is lentils 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.
Related checkers
Compare lentils 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 lentils contains
FODMAPs
Histamine & Amines
Plant compounds
Irritants
Additives
Allergens
Diet fit
Where lentils fits
Therapeutic diets
Lifestyle diets
Religious diets
What to know about lentils
Lentils are a nutritious plant protein, but they carry three separate triggers worth knowing: oxalate, nickel and the fermentable fiber GOS. They are high enough in oxalate that low-oxalate diets usually limit them, and high in nickel for anyone with a nickel allergy. As a FODMAP food they sit in the moderate range rather than the extreme end, and the single easiest fix is to use canned lentils and drain and rinse them well, which lowers the GOS load compared with home-cooked from dried.
Watch for
- High in oxalate, so a cooked serving can push past what low-oxalate (kidney-stone) diets allow
- High in nickel, a frequent trigger for systemic nickel allergy
- High in GOS, though canned and well-rinsed lentils are gentler than dried and home-cooked
- Moderate in histamine, so very large portions can add to the load if you are histamine-sensitive
Explore related in Legumes/Pulses
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 lentils high in Polyols?
Polyols: low signal for most people.
Can I still eat lentils if I'm sensitive to Polyols?
Usually fine in normal portions.
What else should I check?
Check Oxalates, Lectin, and Low Fermentation next for a fuller picture.