Written by Amy Kaczor MS RD LDN, Registered Dietitian
Are bell peppers a low FODMAP food?
Bell peppers are an incredibly versatile fruit. A fruit? Yes! Bell peppers are classified as a fruit because they have seeds! Often enjoyed in fresh salads, stuffed with meat or cheese, or even simply dipped into salad dressing or hummus, bell peppers are suitable for individuals diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) who follow a low FODMAP (fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyols) diet.
According to the Monash University FODMAP Diet app, 1/2 cup of green bell pepper or 1/3 cup of red bell pepper is considered low in FODMAPs. Individuals diagnosed with IBS will likely tolerate low FODMAP foods (Johns Hopkins Medicine, n.d.). Green bell peppers are just unripe red, orange, or yellow and have a slightly more bitter taste and less sugar. Therefore a larger serving size of green bell peppers is considered low FODMAP.
Looking for that perfect recipe to enjoy your bell peppers? Check out this delicious recipe for low FODMAP scrambled eggs stuffed bell peppers from Casa de Sante.
What are the health benefits of bell peppers?
According to Nature Fresh Farms (2018), bell peppers of all colors are low in calories and high in nutrition! These slightly sweet and refreshing fruits are also packed with vitamin A, potassium, vitamin C, fiber, and other minerals.
Summary
This post aims to answer your questions regarding the low FODMAP diet and bell peppers as a low FODMAP food.
Stay tuned for more posts about low FODMAP foods. Also, check out our other pages for more information on managing digestive health.
References
Nature Fresh Farms (2018, October 19). Bell Pepper Faqs & Facts: Naturefresh™ farms. Nature Fresh Farms. Retrieved April 22, 2022, from https://www.naturefresh.ca/bell-pepper-faqs-facts/
Veloso, H. G. (n.d.). FODMAP diet: What you need to know. Johns Hopkins Medicine. Retrieved April 19, 2022, from https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness- and-prevention/fodmap-diet-what-you-need-to-know