Back to Polyols food checker
sherry

sherry

Beverages

Is sherry high in polyols?

Polyols status
Safe

Is sherry 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.

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 sherry contains

FODMAPs

FODMAPsHigh
Fructans
GOS
FructoseHigh
PolyolsSafe
LactoseSafe

Histamine & Amines

HistamineModerate
Histamine Liberators
TyramineModerate

Plant compounds

SalicylatesModerate
OxalatesModerate
LectinLow
NightshadesSafe

Irritants

CaffeineSafe
AlcoholHigh
Spicy FoodsSafe
Acidic FoodsHigh

Additives

SulfitesHigh
NitritesSafe
GlutamatesLow

Allergens

Dairy ProteinsSafe
GlutenSafe
EggLow
PeanutSafe
Tree NutsSafe
SoySafe
FishSafe
CrustaceansSafe
MolluscsSafe
SesameSafe
CelerySafe
MustardSafe
LupinSafe
Alpha-galSafe
NickelLow

Diet fit

Where sherry fits

Therapeutic diets

Low HistamineCheck
Low SalicylateAvoid
Low Fermentation
EoE CompatibleFit
AIPAvoid
InflammationNo data
Reflux DietAvoid
Specific CarbohydrateAvoid
Low FibreFit
Gastroparesis DietAvoid

Lifestyle diets

VeganCheck
VegetarianCheck
PescatarianCheck
MediterraneanNo data
DASH DietCheck
PaleoAvoid
Whole30Avoid
KetoFit
Low-carbFit

Religious diets

HalalAvoid
KosherCheck
Hindu (no beef)Fit
JainAvoid
Buddhist VegetarianAvoid
Orthodox FastingCheck
Ingredient notes

What to know about sherry

Sherry is the fortified wine of Jerez in Andalusia, and the reason it behaves oddly on a trigger journal is that the word covers two completely different drinks. Fino and manzanilla are fortified only to about fifteen percent, which is low enough for a living veil of yeast called flor to survive on the surface and age the wine biologically, sealing it from oxygen and keeping it pale, bone dry and saline. Oloroso is fortified higher, the flor dies, and the wine ages oxidatively into something dark, nutty and concentrated. Pedro Ximenez sits at the far end, pressed from sun dried grapes into a raisin syrup. On the grades, sherry is high for sulfites, which is the single most searched question about it and a real issue if wine gives you a stuffy nose or a wheeze. It is also graded high for FODMAPs and for excess fructose, and that is the sweet end of the range talking: cream sherry and PX carry serious residual sugar while a dry fino does not. Histamine, tyramine, salicylates and oxalates all land in the moderate band, so sherry sits below red wine on amines while still being wine.

Watch for

  • High for sulfites.Sulfur dioxide is used through the solera system and fortified wines are not low sulfite drinks, so the wine headache, blocked nose or asthma pattern is worth logging
  • Graded high for FODMAPs and for excess fructose, driven almost entirely by residual sugar.A dry fino and a spoonably sweet PX are the same word on a label and nowhere near the same sugar load
  • Moderate for histamine and moderate for tyramine.Lower than red wine, but oxidative ageing in the oloroso and amontillado styles gives the amines more time to build than a young white wine gets
  • Moderate for salicylates and oxalates, which matters if you already react to grape products or are managing kidney stones
  • Rated poor for SIBO and pro-inflammatory, both standard for alcohol and both worse in the sweet styles
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.

Get the App

FAQ

Is sherry high in Polyols?

Polyols: low signal for most people.

Can I still eat sherry if I'm sensitive to Polyols?

Usually fine in normal portions.

What else should I check?

Check AIP, Reflux Diet, and Specific Carbohydrate next for a fuller picture.