Back to Polyols food checker
red bell pepper

red bell pepper

Vegetables

Is red bell pepper high in polyols?

Polyols status
Safe

Find out whether red bell pepper is high or low in polyols, see its exact rating, and check its FODMAP, salicylate, oxalate and diet compatibility all in one place.

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Compare red bell pepper 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

HistamineSafe
Histamine LiberatorsSafe
FODMAPsHigh
FructansSafe
GOSSafe
FructoseHigh
PolyolsSafe
GlutenSafe
LactoseSafe
Dairy ProteinsSafe
NightshadesAvoid
SalicylatesHigh
Oxalates
NickelSafe
SulfitesSafe
NitritesSafe
GlutamatesSafe
TyramineSafe
CaffeineSafe
LectinAvoid
Low FermentationSafe

Diets

GlutenFit
InflammationFit
VeganFit
VegetarianFit
Paleo AIPAvoid
MediterraneanFit
DASH DietFit
EoE CompatibleFit
FODMAPsAvoid
Low FermentationFit
Priority ingredient notes

Serving size, prep, and portion notes for red bell pepper

Red bell peppers are anti-inflammatory and clean on histamine, but they are rated high in salicylates and are a nightshade, which is the combination that catches people out. If sweet peppers give you headaches, itching or a flare on an elimination diet, salicylate sensitivity and the nightshade family are the two things to look at, along with a higher FODMAP load in big portions.

Watch for

Rated high in salicylates, a frequent trigger if you react to aspirin, tomatoes or other salicylate-rich produce / Nightshade vegetable, so it comes out on AIP and nightshade-free protocols even though it is not a starch like potato / Rated higher FODMAP by volume, so a whole raw pepper can bother a sensitive gut more than a few strips / Rated high in lectins, one more reason lectin-avoiders limit raw peppers

Learn More

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.

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FAQ

Is red bell pepper high in Polyols?

Polyols: low signal for most people.

Can I still eat red bell pepper if I'm sensitive to Polyols?

Usually fine in normal portions.

What else should I check?

Check Nightshades, Lectin, and Paleo AIP next for a fuller picture.