yam
Vegetables
Is yam high in polyols?
Is yam 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 yam 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 yam contains
FODMAPs
Histamine & Amines
Plant compounds
Irritants
Additives
Allergens
Diet fit
Where yam fits
Therapeutic diets
Lifestyle diets
Religious diets
What to know about yam
True yam, the starchy Dioscorea tuber sold in African, Caribbean and Asian markets, grades high in oxalate. That is not incidental: raw yam contains needle-shaped calcium oxalate crystals, which is exactly why peeling one bare-handed can leave your skin itching. It is otherwise clean on histamine, gluten, lactose, nickel and nightshades, with a moderate polyol grade that can matter on a low FODMAP plan. It is also graded pro-inflammatory as a dense starchy staple.
Watch for
- High in oxalate, driven by the calcium oxalate raphides in the tuber, so it is a food to portion rather than pile on if you form calcium oxalate kidney stones
- Raw yam sap irritates skin, which is why cooks glove up or peel under water.Yam should always be cooked thoroughly, never eaten raw
- Moderate polyol content, the sugar alcohol group behind bloating and osmotic diarrhoea, so a large serve can be an issue even though yam is clean on fructans, GOS and fructose
- Graded pro-inflammatory as a dense starchy staple, which is a dietary pattern note rather than a chemical sensitivity
- Yam and sweet potato are different plants and are often mislabelled in supermarkets, so check what you actually bought before you trust a lookup
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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 yam high in Polyols?
Polyols: moderate signal - portion size matters.
Can I still eat yam if I'm sensitive to Polyols?
Try smaller portions and space it out.
What else should I check?
Check Oxalates, Inflammation, and Specific Carbohydrate next for a fuller picture.