Sugar intolerance, more commonly known as fructose malabsorption, is a condition in which you are unable to properly metabolize the simple carbohydrate fructose. Eating certain foods can cause people with sugar digestion problems to develop a number of gastrointestinal symptoms and disorders; controlling these digestive system problems is usually achieved through a sugar intolerance diet that controls the amount of sugar-containing foods and emphasizes more complex carbohydrates.
Aspects
According to the University of Virginia's Digestive Health Center, the simple sugar fructose is found naturally in fruits and honey, and, as reported by the Mayo Clinic, is also found in some syrups and many sweetened foods and beverages. The site Food Intol reports that as many as 30 percent of people suffer from some form of sugar digestion problem. The condition develops when the intestinal lining does not have enough of the epithelial cells needed to help in proper fructose breakdown and absorption and the intact compounds go on to the large intestine where they are consumed by bacteria, causing unpleasant symptoms. People with this digestive problem often develop irritable bowel syndrome, diarrhea, bloating, severe abdominal cramps, unexplained fatigue, depression, sugar cravings and nutrient deficiencies -- especially iron deficiency.
Diet Guidelines
The first principle of the sugar intolerance diet is to eliminate from meals as many products that contain fructose, honey, sorbitol -- an artificially produced sweetener that can cause the same symptoms as fructose intolerance -- or crystalline fructose. Sugar alcohols, used largely in diet or sugar-free products such as diet ice cream or candy, should be avoided as much as possible; these sugar alcohols include mannitol, xylitol, lactitol, maltitol, isomalt, erythrytol and lactatol. According to the University of Virginia Digestive Health Center, high fructose corn syrup, which contains equal amounts of both glucose and fructose, is easier for sugar intolerant people to absorb than fructose alone, and can be included in a sugar intolerant diet if the items, such as sodas, are consumed sparingly.
Fruits and Vegetables
The sugar intolerance diet allows 1 to 2 cups of fresh or frozen fruit and up to 3 cups of cooked vegetables daily. The best fruits to consume include bananas, oranges, pineapple, raspberries, blackberries, avocados and strawberries, while apples and all other apple-based juices and sauces, pears and pear juice, cherries, plums, peaches, grapes and dates should be avoided. All root vegetables, dark leafy greens, cauliflower, mushrooms, peppers, celery and peas are the most highly recommended, although there are no vegetables that should be completely avoided on the sugar intolerance diet. You can consume corn, carrots, tomatoes and sweet potatoes, but only in limited amounts.
Foods to Include
You can consume all types of meat, beans and dairy products on the sugar intolerance diet, as well as eggs and any type of fat. Table sugar, also known as sucrose, can be used; artificial sweeteners such as saccharin -- contained in Sweet 'n Low -- and aspartame -- found in Nutrasweet and Equal -- are also acceptable.
Foods to Avoid
All food items containing honey and commercially produced candy, cookies, ice cream, dessert bars, sweetened cereals and processed foods should be avoided since most contain either sorbitol or frucose. The Mayo Clinic also recommends avoiding powdered or confectioner's sugar, all types of flavored waters and sports drinks and any type of sweetened milk, including coconut milk.
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