tahini
Condiments & Sauces
Is tahini high in polyols?
Is tahini 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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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 tahini contains
FODMAPs
Histamine & Amines
Plant compounds
Irritants
Additives
Allergens
Diet fit
Where tahini fits
Therapeutic diets
Lifestyle diets
Religious diets
What to know about tahini
Tahini is ground sesame paste, the base of hummus and countless dressings, so it concentrates sesame into a spoonable dose. It is high in oxalate and high in nickel, carries the full sesame allergen, and grinding adds a little more FODMAP load than whole seeds. That is why a generous swirl on a bowl can trigger where a light sprinkle of seeds would not.
Watch for
- High in oxalate, and because you eat it by the spoonful in hummus or dressing the oxalate dose climbs quickly
- High in nickel, worth watching on a low-nickel diet since seed pastes concentrate the mineral
- Made entirely from sesame, so it is not a safe substitute if you have a sesame allergy
- Mild FODMAP creep from the ground paste (some fructans and galacto-oligosaccharides), so a big scoop can feel heavier than the same weight of whole seeds
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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.
Want personalized tracking?
Download Triggerbites to log meals, track symptoms, and discover your unique triggers.
Get the AppFAQ
Is tahini high in Polyols?
Polyols: low signal for most people.
Can I still eat tahini if I'm sensitive to Polyols?
Usually fine in normal portions.
What else should I check?
Check Sesame, AIP, and Oxalates next for a fuller picture.