Where FODMAPs are found in foods
FODMAPs are found in a wide variety of foods, including fruit and vegetables, grains and cereals, nuts, legumes, lentils, dairy foods and manufactured foods.This makes following the FODMAP diet a little tricky, as you cannot simply guess which foods will be high or low in FODMAPs.
Having a basic understanding about which foods contain FODMAPs makes following the 3 step FODMAP diet for your IBS treatment a little easier long term and helps you to avoid unwanted symptoms of IBS.
While many people rely on FODMAP food lists they find on the internet for treating IBS, we know that these are often inaccurate. That’s why the Monash FODMAP team has laboratory tested the FODMAP content of hundreds of local and international foods. Some of this information is published in the scientific literature, and all of the information is publicly available via the Monash University FODMAP Diet App.
Our app uses a simple traffic light system to rate foods as low, moderate or high in FODMAPs.
When you click into each food you will also see which FODMAPs are present. For example, the main FODMAPs present in pears are fructose and sorbitol, whereas the main FODMAPs present in cashew nuts are fructans and GOS and in cow’s milk, the main FODMAP found is lactose.
The information below will help you to understand which food groups typically contain which FODMAPs. However, for the most comprehensive information about the FODMAP content of food, see the Monash FODMAP App.
Fruit
The main FODMAPs present in fruit are sorbitol and excess fructose. Fruits particularly high in excess fructose include apples, pears, mangoes, cherries, figs, nashi pears, pears, watermelon and dried fruit.
Fruits particularly rich in sorbitol include apples, blackberries, nashi pears, peaches and plums. Many fruits contain both fructose and sorbitol, for example, apples, pears and cherries.
Vegetables
The main FODMAPs present in vegetables are fructans and mannitol. Vegetables particularly rich in fructans include artichoke, garlic, leek, onion and spring onion. Vegetables particularly rich in mannitol include mushrooms, cauliflower and snow peas.
Grains and cereals
The main FODMAPs present in grain and cereal foods are fructans and to a lesser extent, GOS.
Grain and cereal foods particularly rich in fructans include wholemeal bread, rye bread, muesli containing wheat, wheat pasta and rye crispbread.
Legumes and pulses
The main FODMAP present in legumes and pulses is GOS. Legumes and pulses particularly high in GOS include red kidney beans, split peas, falafels and baked beans.
Dairy foods and alternatives
The main FODMAP present in dairy foods is lactose. Dairy foods that are high in lactose include soft cheeses, milk and yoghurt. There are also many dairy foods that are naturally low in lactose, for example butter and cheese. For this reason, dairy foods are definitely not excluded from a low FODMAP diet.
Many plant-based milk alternatives are also low in FODMAPs, e.g. soy milk (made from soy protein), almond milk and rice milk. However, milk alternatives do not naturally contain calcium, so remind patients to choose calcium fortified varieties (containing >120mg calcium per 100ml).
Meat, poultry and fish
Protein foods such as meats, poultry and fish are naturally free of FODMAPs. However, processed and marinated meats may contain FODMAPs due to the addition of high FODMAP ingredients such as garlic and onion.
Low FODMAP choices include plain cooked meats, poultry, seafood, eggs, while high FODMAP options include marinated meats, processed meats (e.g. sausage / salami) and meats served with gravy/sauces that may include high FODMAP ingredients.
Nuts and seeds
Most seeds are low FODMAP. The main FODMAPs present in nuts are GOS and fructans. High FODMAP nuts include cashews and pistachios, while low FODMAP nuts include macadamias, peanuts and pine nuts.
Sugars and sweeteners
The main FODMAPs present in sugar sweetened foods and beverages are fructose and sugar polyols (e.g. sorbitol, xylitol, erythrytol). It is a good idea to read the food labels to identify high FODMAP sugars, especially on artificially sweetened drinks and confectionery.
High FODMAP sugars include honey, high fructose corn syrup and sugar-free confectionery. Low FODMAP options include dark chocolate, table sugar, maple syrup and rice malt syrup.
Condiments and sauces
Some dips, condiments, sauces and marinades contain garlic and onion. Ask for them separately or on the side if you are unsure of their FODMAP content.
High FODMAP options include garlic / onion based marinades and sauces, vegetarian mince. Low FODMAP options include barbeque sauce, mayonnaise, soy sauce, chutney, cranberry juice.
This sample food list highlights some key examples of high and low FODMAP foods. It is essential to consult with a dietitian before commencing a FODMAP diet. For the world's most comprehensive database of FODMAP food information, please refer to our Monash University FODMAP DietApp
