Allergy diet - fructose low
This document is part of the ACI Diet Specifications for Adult Inpatients. It is not to be used for patient education.
Aim
To provide a diet with reduced fructose, sucrose and sorbitol content.
Characteristics
Avoids fruits and vegetables high in fructose (>3g per serve) or with an unfavourable fructose > glucose ratio.
Indications
Fructose malabsorption or intolerance.
Nutritional adequacy
Nutritionally adequate.
Precautions
It is not possible to provide a full list of all permitted commercial products; the following are general guidelines only. It is important to check the label of commercial foods for to look for high levels of sweeteners high in fructose: high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS), corn syrup solids, fructose and fruit juice concentrate.
Menus should not provide more than one serve of fruit per meal. Some fructose-intolerant patients will also have problems absorbing fructans (found mainly in wheat products), and may also require a wheat-free or FODMAPs low diet.
Paediatrics
Suitable for use in paediatrics when combined with an age-appropriate diet.
Specific menu planning guidelines
| Allowed | Not allowed | |
|---|---|---|
| Hot main dishes | All others | Dishes cooked with dried fruit, artichoke, asparagus, leek, onions, coconut milk or cream |
| Sauces, gravies | All others | Sweet and sour sauce, barbecue sauce, plum sauce |
| Starchy vegetables / pasta / rice | All | - |
| Vegetables | All others | Artichokes, asparagus, leeks, onions, chicory, radicchio |
| Soups | All others | Any made with asparagus, leeks or onions |
| Sandwiches | All other ingredients on any bread | Asparagus |
| Salads, dressings | All other ingredients | Chutney Artichokes, asparagus, leeks, onions, chicory, radicchio |
| Breads, cereals | All others | Fruit bread, cereals with dried fruit |
| Spreads | All others | Honey |
| Hot breakfast choices | All | - |
| Fruit | Fresh stone fruits (eg apricots, nectarines, peaches, plums) Berry fruits (eg strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, cranberries) Citrus fruits (oranges, mandarins, lemons, grapefruit) Other fruits: kiwifruit, pineapples, rhubarb, passionfruit, tamarillo | Fresh apples, pears, guavas, honeydew melon, mangoes, nashi fruit, pawpaw / papaya, quince, star fruit (carambola), watermelon, lychees, cherries, grapes, banana Dried apples, apricots, currants, dates, figs, pears, prunes, raisins, sultanas |
| Yoghurt | Plain yoghurt, yoghurt with allowed fruit | All others |
| Desserts | All others | Desserts made with bananas, dried fruits, or with honey added |
| Milk and cheese | All | - |
| Beverages | Tea, coffee, milk, lemonade | Fruit juices, cordial |
| Biscuits | All others | Biscuits containing dried fruit |
| Miscellaneous | Artificial sweeteners | Coconut, confectionery, sugar |
References
- Gibson PR, Newnham E, Barrett JS, Shepherd SJ, Muir JG. Review article: Fructose malabsorption and the bigger picture. Aliment Pharmacol Ther 2007;25:349-63.
- Barrett JS, Gibson PR. Clinical ramifications of malabsorption of fructose and other short-chain carbohydrates. Prac Gastroenterol 2007;31(8):51-65.
- Shepherd SJ, Gibson PR. Fructose malabsorption and symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome: guidelines for effective dietary management. J Am Diet Assoc 2006;106:1631-9.
- Food Standards Australia New Zealand. NUTTAB Online searchable database: foods that contain fructose.