Sorbitol is the name by which a polyol or sugar alcohol is known that can be found naturally in various foods, such as the fruits and leaves of plants that come from the rosacea family and red algae. Among the most recognized foods with sorbitol are pears, plums, apples, apricots and peaches.
Sorbitol is used as a sweetener and as a wetting agent. There are many people who suffer from fructose malabsorption, which often leads to fructose intolerance. To know exactly if you suffer from this alteration, it is important to undergo medical controls. In case of being positive, at FastlyHealwe offer you a diet for sorbitol intolerance .
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Sorbitol intolerance: what it is and causes
Food intolerance is the disorder that causes you not to be able to digest a food correctly. Although they are often concepts that are confused, this is different from allergies since in the latter the body responds by defending itself when it comes into contact with the food that causes it, that is, it attacks as if it were a kind of infection.
For sorbitol to be absorbed in the small intestine, certain transporter proteins are needed that are responsible for absorption. In many cases, intolerances are transient and are due to damage to the wall that causes the inability to absorb sorbitol and other substances.
On other occasions, intolerance is permanent and is due to a genetic defect that means that transporter proteins are not produced in insufficient quantities , however, to learn more specifically about this alteration, it is important to go to a medical consultation.
Symptoms of sorbitol intolerance
By not digesting sorbitol correctly, it remains in the intestine to be consumed by the germs present in said organ, which causes three alterations that, normally, are the main symptoms of sorbitol intolerance :
- One of the most frequent alterations is the appearance of various germs that should not be present under normal conditions, since they would not have anything to eat. It can happen that some of these germs irritate the intestine and, consequently, that the wall of the intestine continues to be damaged, causing different disorders.
- On the other hand, sorbitol is fermented in the intestine and causes a large amount of gas to be produced . The consequences of this are heavy digestions that cause bloating, burning, and abdominal pain.
- Also, sorbitol intolerance can cause irritating substances and acids that cause diarrhea and irritation in the digestive tract .
Diet for those suffering from sorbitol intolerance
Once a professional has diagnosed you with sorbitol intolerance, the first step to follow will be to modify your usual diet for a more specific one, one that does not include foods that contain said sugar alcohol. As in other digestive disorders, depending on the degree of intolerance that the person seems, that diet will be more restrictive or will be longer in time. In fact, it is possible that over time foods with sorbitol can be added gradually and progressively.
The sorbitol intolerant diet should be given by the specialist based on the person’s condition, but some foods and examples of a sorbitol intolerant diet that could be considered for daily consumption are:
Breakfast options
- Glass of water with lemon.
- Decaffeinated coffee.
- Green tea.
- Toast with Serrano ham.
- A pear.
- Pineapple slices.
Mid-morning options
- Lean cold cuts sandwiches such as cooked ham, Serrano ham, jerky, turkey or Iberian loin.
- Chickpea pate.
- A yogurt.
- Hazelnuts
- Tuna and avocado.
Food choices
- Grilled aubergine with mushroom omelette.
- Pasta salad, with tuna and cucumber.
- Grilled steak with potatoes.
- Baked fish.
- Swiss chard, potato and spinach cream.
- Grilled turkey with rice.
Snack options
- Toast with lean cold cuts.
- Yogurt
- Infusions.
- Hummus.
- Papaya.
Dinner options
- Cooked fish.
- Lambs lettuce, beetroot and fresh cheese.
- Peas, artichokes and potatoes.
- Watercress and cucumber salad.
- Cauliflower and potatoes au gratin with cheese.
Sorbitol Intolerance: Foods to Avoid
It is important that when shopping you check the label of the products, since some of them may contain sorbitol, even those that are not for consumption, such as certain toothpastes . Pay more attention to the following products:
- Fizzy drinks
- Fruit juice.
- Fruits in syrup.
- Canned fruits
- Foods labeled as light.
- Pre-cooked frozen foods.
- Jams
- Chewing gum.
- Syrup and syrups.
- Pastry products.
This article is merely informative, at FastlyHeal .com we do not have the power to prescribe medical treatments or make any type of diagnosis. We invite you to see a doctor in the case of presenting any type of condition or discomfort.
If you want to read more articles similar to Diet for sorbitol intolerance , we recommend that you enter our Food category .
I am a Surgeon with a diploma in comprehensive ultrasound and surgical care residency, an area I am specializing in. During the exercise of my profession, I have realized the need for patients to know the diseases they suffer, and I can tell you that a large part of their complications is due to a lack of information. Being a health web writer allows me to transmit my experience, without borders, to all those readers eager for knowledge, educate them in the prevention of diseases and promote a healthy lifestyle.