Fructose Intolerance Diet

Fructose is a simple sugar found naturally in many foods, such as honey, berries and fruit. It also contains high amounts of sucrose, or common table sugar, which is used in many treats and beverages. Those who are unable to metabolize fructose due to a hereditary absence or deficiency of the enzyme aldolase suffer from an illness known as fructose intolerance. This disorder is treated by removing foods that contain fructose and sucrose from the diet. Additionally, sugar-free products made with sorbitol should also be avoided as sorbitol breaks down into fructose in the digestive tract.

Sweeteners

• The first step in removing the fructose from your diet involves removing all obvious sources. That means eliminating fruits, honey and many things made with sweeteners. Check the labels on all products and remove anything that contains fructose, sugar, high-fructose corn syrup, beet sugar, brown sugar, brown rice sugar, maple syrup, molasses, stevia, sorbitol or polydextrose. Acceptable products for those with fructose intolerance can be made with aspartame, barley malt syrup, saccharine, dextrin, corn starch or glucose.

Foods

• Those following a fructose-free diet should also avoid cold cuts, hot dogs, sausages, pre-sweetened cereal, milk and dairy products made with added sugar, sweet potatoes, carrots, tomatoes, corn, beans, ketchup, sweetened condiments such as jam, jelly and marmalade and non-dairy products such as non-dairy creamer and non-dairy whipped topping. Those afflicted with this disorder should have no trouble digesting red meat, poultry, fish, eggs, butter, white potatoes, pasta, lettuce, spinach, cauliflower, peppers, coffee, tea, oils and unsweetened cereals and bread products.

Warning

• The list above may seem severe, but if a person who is unable to tolerate fructose ingests it, hypoglycemia, nausea, vomiting, sweating, trembling, dizziness and general muscle weakness may develop. On occasion, unintentional ingestion of fructose has even led to the onset of a comatose state, liver failure and eventual complete organ failure. Fructose intolerance is hereditary and may be mild, moderate or severe. In the more severe forms, even complete removal of fructose from the diet may not prevent the progression of the disease. The food lists above are by no means exhaustive. Consult a professional dietician for more inclusive dietary guidelines.

Dining Out

• When dining out it is best to err on the side of caution. Order grilled meats, unseasoned, a baked potato with butter (no sour cream), a salad made with lettuce greens only with olive oil on the side and plain coffee, tea or water.