Introduction
Intestinal symptoms are unique and vary from person to person. Therefore, there is no specific diet, as people's lifestyles and eating habits vary. Although sugar is an important part of our diet, it can cause sucrose intolerance if you have intestinal problems.
Today's lifestyle and our addiction to fast food have led to several intestinal problems, including CSID (Congenital Sucrase-Isomaltase Deficiency). Research shows that more than one- third of people with diarrhea and irritable bowel syndrome may have sucrose intolerance. Here the question arises, what is the best diet for sucrose intolerance Will the diet help with this intestinal problem? Let us go into the details.
Sucrose intolerance: significance and symptoms
Sucrose intolerance may be genetic or acquired later in life. Generally, it develops due to intestinal damage caused by irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO), celiac disease, or other digestive disorders. It usually occurs when there aren't enough sucrase enzymes to digest the sugary foods.
It is this undigested sucrose that develops symptoms such as:
- Stinking flatulence
- Flatulence and abdominal pain
- Diarrhea shortly after meals, etc.
In general, the symptoms of sucrose intolerance overlap with other gastrointestinal problems. Therefore, it is crucial to consult a physician before starting a sucrose intolerance diet.
Everything you need to know about the sucrose intolerance diet
Before you embark on the sucrose intolerance diet, you need to follow exact steps to get real benefits of such a diet.
Sucrose is a household sugar derived from sugar cane. It is one of the most common ingredients in processed and packaged foods such as spaghetti sauce, ketchup, yogurt, etc. It is also found in fruits. However, some fruits contain little sucrose, while others contain a lot of it.
People with sucrose intolerance have a low threshold for sugar tolerance. For example, strawberries have a low sucrose content per serving, but if you eat too much of them, they can be difficult to digest.
Once you have identified the sugary foods, swap them out for those with lower sugar content. So swap apples (high sucrose) for pears (low sucrose), raisins (high sucrose) for cherries (low sucrose), etc. The sucrose intolerance diet must be followed for 4-5 weeks or until symptoms subside.
Here are some foods that are suitable for people with sugar intolerance:
- Fruits
Fruits such as blackberries, blueberries, gooseberries, cherries, cranberries, cherries, olives, papaya, pears, kiwis, limes, lemons, rhubarb, strawberries, raspberries, pomegranates, etc. have low sucrose content. However, a few people can tolerate fruits with high sucrose content such as apples, mango, oranges, peaches, bananas and apricots when consumed in limited quantities.
- Vegetables
Low sucrose vegetables include bamboo shoots, cauliflower, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, radishes, green beans, spinach, mushrooms, eggplant, cucumbers, zucchini, beets, lettuce, celery, asparagus, etc.
- Starch
High-fiber carbohydrates slow digestion and are better tolerated than processed carbohydrates. People should switch to whole-grain breads and cereals such as bran, oats, and barley. People with sucrose intolerance should opt for quinoa, whole grain pasta, brown rice, wild rice, lentils, etc. Avoid processed grains as they may contain added sugars. Also, read the food label carefully before purchasing.
- Dairy products
People suffering from CSID can consume dairy products such as cow's milk, sour cream, butter, ricotta cheese, whipped cream, regular cottage cheese and hard cheese. However, processed cheese may contain sucrose and should be avoided.
- Meat and other protein sources
This includes plain meat or protein sources such as fish, pork, beef, turkey, eggs, chicken and lamb. Processed meat products such as sausage, liverwurst, bacon and breakfast meats should be avoided because they are treated with sucrose and starch fillers. Nut butters and nut-based butters also add calories to your diet and are ideal for sucrose intolerance.
When following the diet for sucrose intolerance, it is important to track your meals and the effects on your symptoms. If there is no improvement, a more careful and detailed examination of foods is essential. Many medications, cough drops, condiments and chewing gum contain added sugars that can worsen the symptoms of sugar intolerance.
Additional points for the sucrose intolerance diet
Even if you are following the best diet for sucrose intolerance, follow these steps for better results:
- Chew properly
Avoid multitasking during a meal. You should take enough time and chew the food slowly and thoroughly. Chewing is the first step in digestion, as the enzymes present in the mouth initiate the digestive process. Properly chewed food is easily absorbed as the enzymes in the abdomen efficiently act on smaller food particles.
Consider this example of a low-sugar menu:
- Breakfast
Scrambled eggs, latte and blueberries
- Lunch
Seltzer water and grilled chicken on avocado salad, salsa and sour cream
- Snacks
Celery with unsweetened peanut butter, unsweetened iced tea and strawberries
- Dinner
Baked fish with lemon and butter, cauliflower puree, sautéed spinach
Advantages of the sucrose intolerance diet
Reducing sugar consumption or switching to a sucrose intolerance diet has the following benefits:
- According to the book "Dietary Management of Obesity: Cornerstones of Healthy Eating Patterns," published in the journal Medical Clinics of North America, reducing sugar consumption helps prevent obesity and lose weight.
- A study shows that a sucrose intolerance diet prevents mood swings. The study linked changing moods to a high-sugar diet.
- The sugar intolerance diet can eventually relieve the symptoms of CSID. For example, it helps eliminate bloating and prevent diarrhea.
Conclusion
Opting for a sucrose intolerance diet has several advantages. However, eliminating sugar from the diet altogether is also not recommended. Once symptoms normalize, it is necessary to consume it in small or limited amounts. Also, it is better to consult a nutritionist or a licensed physician to avoid further health problems when switching to a particular diet.
Reference Links:
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/319991#summary
