lettuce
Vegetables
Is lettuce high in polyols?
Find out whether lettuce 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 lettuce 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 lettuce
Lettuce is a safe base green, clean across nearly every trigger: low histamine, low salicylate, gluten free, and importantly low in oxalate, unlike spinach, which is very high in oxalate. That makes lettuce a reliable salad base when spinach and other leafy greens are off the table. Two small notes keep it honest: it carries a modest FODMAP load in very large volumes, and its nickel content is borderline rather than negligible.
Watch for
Low oxalate, in clear contrast to spinach, which is high oxalate: swapping spinach for lettuce is a common move on a low-oxalate diet / Moderate FODMAP only in large volumes, so a normal side salad is fine while a huge bowl can add up for a sensitive gut / Nickel sits at a borderline level, worth noting if you have a strict systemic nickel allergy but not a concern for most people
Explore related in Vegetables
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 lettuce high in Polyols?
Polyols: low signal for most people.
Can I still eat lettuce if I'm sensitive to Polyols?
Usually fine in normal portions.
What else should I check?
Check FODMAPs, Nickel, and FODMAPs next for a fuller picture.