Back to Polyols food checker
sweet potato

sweet potato

Vegetables

Is sweet potato high in polyols?

Polyols status
Moderate

Is sweet potato 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.

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Compare sweet potato 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 sweet potato contains

FODMAPs

FODMAPsLow
FructansSafe
GOSSafe
FructoseSafe
PolyolsModerate
LactoseSafe

Histamine & Amines

HistamineSafe
Histamine LiberatorsSafe
TyramineSafe

Plant compounds

SalicylatesModerate
OxalatesAvoid
LectinSafe
NightshadesSafe

Irritants

CaffeineSafe
AlcoholSafe
Spicy FoodsSafe
Acidic FoodsSafe

Additives

SulfitesSafe
NitritesSafe
GlutamatesSafe

Allergens

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

Diet fit

Where sweet potato fits

Therapeutic diets

Low HistamineFit
Low SalicylateCheck
Low FermentationSafe
EoE CompatibleFit
AIPFit
InflammationAvoid
Reflux DietFit
Specific CarbohydrateAvoid
Low FibreCheck
Gastroparesis DietFit

Lifestyle diets

VeganFit
VegetarianFit
PescatarianFit
MediterraneanFit
DASH DietFit
PaleoFit
Whole30Fit
KetoAvoid
Low-carbCheck

Religious diets

HalalFit
KosherFit
Hindu (no beef)Fit
JainAvoid
Buddhist VegetarianFit
Orthodox FastingFit
Ingredient notes

What to know about sweet potato

Despite the name, sweet potato is not a nightshade. It belongs to the morning glory family (Ipomoea batatas), while the white potato is the actual nightshade (Solanum tuberosum), so people avoiding nightshades can usually eat sweet potato freely. Its real trigger is oxalate: sweet potato is high in oxalate, with roughly 97 mg in a medium one, which matters for anyone prone to calcium-oxalate kidney stones.

Watch for

  • High in oxalate, around 97 mg per medium sweet potato, a meaningful amount for anyone managing calcium-oxalate kidney stones or on a low-oxalate diet
  • Not a nightshade: it is in the morning glory family, unlike the white potato, so nightshade-sensitive people generally tolerate it
  • Moderate salicylate and moderate polyols, so a large portion can also add up for sensitive guts
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 sweet potato high in Polyols?

Polyols: moderate signal - portion size matters.

Can I still eat sweet potato if I'm sensitive to Polyols?

Try smaller portions and space it out.

What else should I check?

Check Oxalates, Specific Carbohydrate, and Jain next for a fuller picture.