sorghum
Grains
Is sorghum high in polyols?
Find out whether sorghum 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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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 sorghum
Sorghum is one of the few genuinely gluten free whole grains that is not a pseudocereal. It is a true cereal grass, botanically a cousin of maize rather than of quinoa or buckwheat, and it still contains no gluten at all, which is why our data grades it A for gluten. It is graded A across the rest of the board too: histamine, salicylates, nickel, sulfites, glutamates, tyramine and nightshades, with oxalate simply unrated. As a food chemistry trigger it is close to inert. The single real caveat is portion: sorghum is graded moderate (B) for total FODMAPs, so a large bowl of the cooked grain can bother a sensitive gut where a normal side portion usually will not. Domesticated in northeastern Africa thousands of years ago and now the fifth most grown cereal in the world, it is drought hardy, cheap, and one of the few gluten free grains that gives you a real chewy grain texture instead of a soft one.
Watch for
Graded moderate (B) for FODMAPs, so the realistic gut trigger is volume: a full main course bowl of cooked sorghum is a very different load from a few spoonfuls in a salad / Naturally gluten free (A) does not mean automatically celiac safe. Sorghum is routinely milled and stored on equipment shared with wheat, so look for certified gluten free packaging rather than assuming / Brown, high tannin varieties taste distinctly astringent and some people find them heavier going than the white grain used in most gluten free products. If one bag of sorghum bothers you and another does not, check the variety / Whole sorghum keeps its bran and hull, so it is a high fibre grain. Coming off a low fibre or low residue stretch, reintroduce it in small portions / Popped sorghum sold as a snack is usually oiled, salted or sweetened, so read the flavouring before blaming the grain
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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.
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Get the AppFAQ
Is sorghum high in Polyols?
Polyols: low signal for most people.
Can I still eat sorghum if I'm sensitive to Polyols?
Usually fine in normal portions.
What else should I check?
Check Inflammation, Paleo AIP, and FODMAPs next for a fuller picture.