Sweet potato contains fructose, a type of FODMAP, but in small amounts. It's considered a
A standard serve of sweet potato, ½ cup (75g), is low in FODMAPs, so given an overall green light on the app.
Potatoes – russet, yellow-skinned, red-skinned and purple – have all been lab tested and contain no FODMAPS! This is great news for those of us preparing meals and working on meal planning.
However, sweet potato contains a type of sugar called mannitol that can cause stomach pain, trigger bloating, and diarrhoea. Frequent symptoms after eating sweet potato might suggest that you are intolerant to foods that contain mannitol.
According to Monash University, sweet potatoes are low FODMAP in servings of 1/2 cup (75 g) per sitting. Servings of 2/3 cup (100 g) or more per serving are high in the polyol mannitol. We'll be using 2 sweet potatoes, which works out to 43 g per serving. This is well within Monash's recommended range.
The bottom line. FODMAPs are short-chain carbs that may cause severe symptoms of bloating, gassiness, and constipation in people with IBS. Sweet potato contains fructose, a type of FODMAP, but in small amounts. It's considered a low FODMAP food, but you should consider keeping your intake to 1/2 cup (75 grams) cooked.
Gastrointestinal Health
Along with anti-inflammatory properties, sweet potatoes have plenty of gut-friendly fiber. They are a mixture of soluble fiber, which can lower cholesterol and balance glucose, and insoluble fiber, which helps keep your bowels healthy and regular.
Flatulence-producing foods are typically high in certain polysaccharides (Polysaccharides are relatively complex carbohydrates). Some of these foods are Sweet Potato, beans, onions, and garlic.
The most common reason for bloating is having a lot of gas in your gut. This can be caused by some food and drinks, such as some vegetables and fizzy drinks, or by swallowing air when you eat. It can also be caused by a problem with your digestion, such as: constipation.
Sourdough is one of the best tolerated breads on the low FODMAP, plus its super healthy and good for those gut bugs.
Oats can be a low FODMAP breakfast option during the low FODMAP phase. If you choose rolled oats, start with a ½ cup serving size and then test your tolerance level. If you want instant oats use a ¼ cup serving size, and mix them with rice flakes or quinoa flakes for a larger hot breakfast.
Broccoli can be low FODMAP, depending on the part and serving size. Florets (or the darker green heads) are lower in FODMAPs than the stalks (the lighter green part). Broccoli florets are low FODMAP in servings of ¾ cup or 75 grams. Broccoli stalks have a smaller low FODMAP serving of ⅓ cup or 45 grams.
A small serving of avocado (1.1 ounces) is low in FODMAPs and unlikely to cause symptoms, even among people who are sensitive to FODMAPs. It should be noted that avocado oil, a type of oil made from avocados, does not contain any carbs and is FODMAP-free. Therefore, it's safe for those who are sensitive to FODMAPs.
They're a Great Anti-Inflammatory Food
Sweet potatoes contain natural anti-inflammatory compounds that help to reduce inflammation in the body.
Sweet potatoes are especially gentle on the digestive tract because they are mostly made up of insoluble fiber, which speeds up digestion and promotes regularity.
Boiling sweet potatoes retains more beta-carotene and makes the nutrient more absorbable than other cooking methods such as baking or frying. Up to 92% of the nutrient can be retained by limiting the cook time, such as boiling in a pot with a tightly covered lid for 20 minutes.
“Potassium-rich foods like sweet potatoes, which are also antioxidant superstars in the vitamin A department, are a healthy food that can reduce bloating,” shares Moon. “Potassium helps flush excess sodium out of cells, a classic cause of water retention and bloating.” Craving soup?
The truth is the low FODMAP diet is designed to be followed strictly for an initial 2-6 weeks until symptoms resolve. At that stage, gentle reintroductions are encouraged by your dietitian to learn your level of tolerance.
The most common digestive disorder affected by an intolerance to FODMAPs is IBS or irritable bowel syndrome, apart from Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, and other inflammatory bowel disorders (IBD).
The specific carbohydrate diet (SCD) is another program designed for people with gastrointestinal diseases, such as ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, IBD, celiac disease, and IBS. It shares many of the same goals as the low-FODMAP diet, but more research is needed to verify its effectiveness.