If your toddler often has tummy aches and has changes in the frequency and consistency of his bowel movements, consult your doctor to identify the cause of the problem. Many conditions can trigger these gastrointestinal symptoms, fructose malabsorption being one of them. Fructose malabsorption can be diagnosed with a hydrogen breath test, although these tests may be difficult to perform on toddlers. Consult a registered dietitian with experience dealing with fructose malabsorption to help your toddler thrive healthily with fructose malabsorption.
Fruits
With fructose malabsorption, avoid fruits that contain more fructose than glucose, such as apples, pears, mangoes and watermelon. Safer fruits include bananas, kiwi fruits, oranges, blueberries, cantaloupe and rhubarb; however, even safe fruits consumed in large amounts can be problematic for your toddler's sensitive tummy. Avoid large servings of fruits as well as fruit juices and dried fruits to keep their fructose load low and to prevent upsetting their digestive system.
Vegetables
A few vegetables have a high fructose content, such as asparagus, sugar snap peas, artichoke and tomatoes, especially in sauces, juice or paste. Avoid giving these vegetables to your toddler if suffering from fructose malabsorption. Safer vegetables include pumpkin, carrot, cucumber, green beans and summer and winter squash. These vegetables are all nutritious and can help you toddler get most of the vitamins and minerals she requires.
Sweeteners
To prevent diarrhea and other digestive problems in your toddler, avoid foods sweetened with honey, agave syrup or high-fructose corn syrup. These sweeteners contain a higher ratio of fructose to glucose, which can cause problems in fructose malabsorbers. Read ingredient lists carefully because these sweeteners may even be found in sausages, breads and sauces. Although regular table sugar and maple syrup are safe to use, too much at once could trigger fructose malabsorption symptoms.
Safe Foods
Fructose malabsorbers can safely eat foods from the fructose-free food groups, which include grains and protein as well as fat and oils. Read the ingredient list of grain products to make sure they are free of high-fructose ingredients. Include a source of protein, such as chicken, fish, pork, meat, cheese or eggs, and a source of fats, such as oil or butter, to supply enough energy and nutrients for your toddler to grow strong and healthy.
Other Short-Chain Fermentable Carbohydrates
Some toddlers suffering from fructose malabsorption often have other food sensitivities. For example, the fructans in wheat, onions and broccoli; the gluten in wheat, rye and barley; the lactose in milk, yogurt and ice cream; and the polyols found in mushrooms, cauliflower and avocado can also trigger symptoms similar to fructose malabsorption. Consult a registered dietitian to determine a complete list of safe and unsafe foods for your toddler.
References
- "Journal of Gastroenterology & Hepatology"; Evidence-Based Dietary Management of Functional Gastrointestinal Symptoms: The FODMAP Approach; Peter R Gibson and Susan J Shepherd; 2010
- "Journal of the American Dietetic Association"; Fructose Malabsorption and Symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome: Guidelines for Effective Dietary Management; Susan J. Shepherd and Peter R. Gibson; 2006
- "IBS--Free at Last!: A Revolutionary, New Step-by-Step Method for Those Who Have Tried Everything. Control IBS Symptoms by Limiting FODMAPS Carbohydrates in Your Diet"; Patsy Catsos; 2009
- "The Low FODMAP Diet - Reducing Poorly Absorbed Sugars to Control Gastrointestinal Symptoms"; Eastern Health Clinical School - Monash University; 2010
