A person diagnosed with a fructose intolerance will have to make major dietary changes to eliminate all foods that contain fructose. There are two types of this disorder. The genetic variety means an enzyme that breaks down fructose in the body is not present, while a malabsorption intolerance refers to a difficulty in digesting fructose. In either case, diet will have to be carefully considered to be sure that fructose is not present.
Sweetener Alternatives
Since many of the foods that contain fructose are made with high fructose corn syrup as a sweetener, alternatives must be found if these foods are going to be eaten. Several sugar substitures are fructose-free, making them safe. Among them are Equal, NutraSweet and NutraTase, reports Boston University. This means that these substitutes can be used to sweeten iced tea and they are commonly used in diet soda drinks, so some of them may be safe to consume as well. Some people also use these alternatives in cooking with varied results.
Fresh Meat
Meat that has not been processed is safe to eat on a fructose-free diet. Fish, red meat, poultry and pork are all safe to consume. They should be cooked without added sauces and marinades because many of them have added sugars, including fructose, that make them unsafe to eat. In addition, many processed meats are prepared with fructose and cold cuts and hot dogs should be eliminated from the diet.
Pasta
Preparing pasta is safe to do because it does not contain fructose. There are many varieties of noodles available and they can be combined with many kinds of vegetables and fresh meats to create a healthy and fructose free meal. Boston University cautions that some vegetables contain fructose so you must be careful to avoid them and included are carrots, tomatoes, corn and any canned vegetable that contains sugar. When eating in restaurants, you can order pasta dishes without these types of vegetables and when cooking at home you can choose safe vegetables to incorporate.
Vegetables
While some vegetables are not safe to eat on a fructose-free diet, many others are and should be included in a balanced diet for their vitamin and mineral content. Fruit must be completely avoided because it all contains fructose, so vegetable consumption is especially important to support good health. According to the University of Virginia Health System, asparagus, cauliflower, broccoli, leafy greens, white potatoes and cucumbers are all safe to eat. They can be mixed into pasta or egg dishes or eaten sliced as a snack. Sweet potatoes should be eliminated because they cause a reaction in some people who are fructose intolerant.
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