Back to Polyols food checker
tiger nuts

tiger nuts

Nuts & Seeds

Is tiger nuts high in polyols?

Polyols status
Safe

Find out whether tiger nuts is high or low in polyols, see its exact rating, and check its FODMAP, salicylate, oxalate and diet compatibility all 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

Triggers

HistamineSafe
Histamine LiberatorsLow
FODMAPsLow
FructansLow
GOSLow
FructoseSafe
PolyolsSafe
GlutenSafe
LactoseSafe
Dairy ProteinsSafe
NightshadesSafe
SalicylatesLow
OxalatesModerate
NickelHigh
SulfitesSafe
NitritesSafe
GlutamatesLow
TyramineSafe
CaffeineSafe
LectinSafe
Low FermentationLow

Diets

GlutenFit
InflammationFit
VeganFit
VegetarianFit
Paleo AIPFit
MediterraneanFit
DASH DietAvoid
EoE CompatibleAvoid
FODMAPsAvoid
Low FermentationAvoid
Priority ingredient notes

Serving size, prep, and portion notes for tiger nuts

Tiger nuts are not nuts. They are small wrinkled tubers of Cyperus esculentus, a sedge, which means they contain no tree nut or peanut protein at all: that is why they show up in nut-free, gluten-free and dairy-free snacking, and why Spanish horchata de chufa is a nut-free horchata. The trade-offs are elsewhere. They are high in nickel (graded D), moderate in oxalate, and loaded with insoluble fibre and resistant starch, which is a genuinely fermentable combination and the usual reason a handful ends in gas and bloating.

Watch for

Botanically a tuber, not a nut, so tree nut and peanut allergy do not apply. The caveats are practical rather than botanical: tiger nuts are frequently packed on shared lines with real nuts, so check the allergen statement rather than assuming / Tiger nut allergy does exist independently, reported as part of pollen-food syndrome, so "not a nut" is not the same as "cannot cause a reaction". Itchy mouth or throat after tiger nuts in someone with pollen allergy is a recognised pattern / High in nickel (graded D). Unusual for a root vegetable and worth logging if you are running a low-nickel elimination, since tiger nuts are exactly the food people add when they cut out nuts / Very high fibre with a big resistant starch fraction, plus moderate FODMAP, fructan and GOS grades. This is prebiotic behaviour by design, which is great for the microbiome and unpleasant if you have IBS or SIBO. Soaking or lightly roasting them, and building the portion up slowly, is the standard fix / Moderate oxalate (graded C). Not the extreme end that sesame or almonds occupy, but not the free pass the "just a root vegetable" framing implies

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 tiger nuts high in Polyols?

Polyols: low signal for most people.

Can I still eat tiger nuts if I'm sensitive to Polyols?

Usually fine in normal portions.

What else should I check?

Check Nickel, Oxalates, and EoE Compatible next for a fuller picture.