Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsHealth BenefitsGood or Bad for IBS?Tips for Eating Avocados When You Have IBSFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Health Benefits
Good or Bad for IBS?
Tips for Eating Avocados When You Have IBS
Frequently Asked Questions
If you haveirritable bowel syndrome (IBS), it can be difficult to digest food without bloating, gas, or diarrhea. Avocados are one food that people will often recommend if you are prone to IBS-like symptoms.
FODMAPsare types ofcarbohydratesthat are poorly absorbed in the gut and can ferment, triggeringIBS symptoms. FODMAP stands for fermentable, oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyols. By eating low-FODMAP foods, you may be better able to avoid IBS attacks.
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This article looks at how avocados can fit into a low-FODMAP diet. It also weighs the benefits of this healthy, nutrition-packed food against the possible risks in people living with IBS.
What Cause Irritable Bowel Syndrome?
Health Benefits of Avocados
Avocados, particularly the wrinkly-skinnedHaas avocadosfound in most grocery stores, are a nutrient-dense food packed with essential vitamins and minerals as well as beneficial plant-based chemicals (known asphytonutrients).
Just one-half of a Haas avocado delivers the following important nutrients:
Nutritional Benefits of AvocadosOne whole Haas avocado (6 ounces) delivers 234 calories, 25% of the recommended daily intake of vitamin C, and 40% of the recommended daily intake of fiber. They are also an excellent source of “good” monounsaturated fats that may help reducecholesterolandtriglycerides.
Nutritional Benefits of Avocados
One whole Haas avocado (6 ounces) delivers 234 calories, 25% of the recommended daily intake of vitamin C, and 40% of the recommended daily intake of fiber. They are also an excellent source of “good” monounsaturated fats that may help reducecholesterolandtriglycerides.
Avocado Nutrition Facts and Health Benefits
How Much Avocado Is Allowed on a Low-FODMAP Diet
By and large, avocados are OK for an IBS diet as long as you limit your intake. Avocados do contain FODMAPs but can be classified as low, moderate, or high, depending on how much you eat.
An eighth of an avocado is considered low-FODMAP. In contrast, 1/4 of an avocado is considered moderate-FODMAP, and 1/2 of an avocado is regarded as high FODMAP.
Even so, not all people with IBS respond to FODMAPs (or specific FODMAP foods) in the same way. Some people may tolerate larger portions, while others may react to even a tiny amount. Finding the portion that is right for you may require trial and error until you find your “safe zone.”
Foods to Eat on a Low-FODMAP Diet
There are ways to incorporate avocados into your diet even at smaller portion sizes required to keep FODMAP levels low. You can:
Avocados bruise easily. To avoid this, buy Haas avocados when they are dark green and have little “give” when you squeeze them in your palm. Allow them to ripen on the counter and transfer them to the refrigerator until ready to eat. Most avocados can be kept this way for up to a week.
Since you won’t be eating a whole avocado due to concerns about FODMAPs, cut off just a wedge and leave the rest of the fruit attached to the pit. Wrap the leftover with cling film and return it to the refrigerator. This will help keep it from turning black.
You can also remove the fruit from its skin and store it in your freezer in a plastic bag or airtight container.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) Diet: Foods to Eat and What to Limit
Summary
Avocados are a healthy, nutrient-dense fruit that can be part of a balanced diet. But, it may not be something to eat in large portions if you have irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
Avocados contain FODMAPs that can trigger IBS symptoms and may be high, moderate, or low in FODMAPs depending on how much you eat.
In terms of portion sizes, 1/8 of an avocado is considered low-FODMAP and should be safe to eat if you have IBS. Some people may be able to tolerate more.
A Word From Verywell
It is important to remember that a low-FODMAP diet is not intended for weight loss. It is designed specifically for people with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) to reduce or avoid symptoms.
If your healthcare provider recommends a low-FODMAP diet, consider seeing adietitianwho can offer advice on the foods to eat and avoid while ensuring good nutrition with the right proportion of protein, carbohydrates, fiber, and healthy fats.
Frequently Asked QuestionsNot really. Avocado oil (like other oils) doesn’t have any carbohydrates, so it doesn’t contain FODMAPs. However, some people with IBS can’t tolerate greasy or oily food. So if there’s so much avocado oil in a dish that it makes it greasy, it can make symptoms worse.Avocados contain sorbitol (a sugar alcohol), so they fall into the polyol group.Learn MoreThe Different FODMAP Types for IBS SymptomsIt depends on the portion. If you stick to the low-FODMAP portion size of 1/8 of an avocado, you shouldn’t have a problem digesting it.Learn MoreHow Much Protein Is in Avocado?They can. If you have IBS and don’t tolerate polyols, eating more than 1/8 of an avocado can make you feel gassy or bloated.Learn MoreHow to Prevent Gas and Bloating
Not really. Avocado oil (like other oils) doesn’t have any carbohydrates, so it doesn’t contain FODMAPs. However, some people with IBS can’t tolerate greasy or oily food. So if there’s so much avocado oil in a dish that it makes it greasy, it can make symptoms worse.
Avocados contain sorbitol (a sugar alcohol), so they fall into the polyol group.Learn MoreThe Different FODMAP Types for IBS Symptoms
Avocados contain sorbitol (a sugar alcohol), so they fall into the polyol group.
Learn MoreThe Different FODMAP Types for IBS Symptoms
It depends on the portion. If you stick to the low-FODMAP portion size of 1/8 of an avocado, you shouldn’t have a problem digesting it.Learn MoreHow Much Protein Is in Avocado?
It depends on the portion. If you stick to the low-FODMAP portion size of 1/8 of an avocado, you shouldn’t have a problem digesting it.
Learn MoreHow Much Protein Is in Avocado?
They can. If you have IBS and don’t tolerate polyols, eating more than 1/8 of an avocado can make you feel gassy or bloated.Learn MoreHow to Prevent Gas and Bloating
They can. If you have IBS and don’t tolerate polyols, eating more than 1/8 of an avocado can make you feel gassy or bloated.
Learn MoreHow to Prevent Gas and Bloating
4 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Altobelli E, Del Negro V, Angeletti P, Latella G.Low-FODMAP diet improves irritable bowel syndrome symptoms: a meta-analysis.Nutrients. 2017;9(9):940. doi:10.3390/nu9090940Dreher ML, Davenport AJ.Hass avocado composition and potential health effects.Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr.2013;53(7):738-50. doi:10.1080/10408398.2011.556759Varney J, Barrett J, Scarlata K, Catsos P, Gibson PR, Muir JG.FODMAPs: food composition, defining cutoff values and international application.J Gastroenterol Hepatol.2017 Mar;32 Suppl 1:53-61. doi:10.1111/jgh.13698Monash University.10 foods you didn’t know you could eat on a low FODMAP diet.
Altobelli E, Del Negro V, Angeletti P, Latella G.Low-FODMAP diet improves irritable bowel syndrome symptoms: a meta-analysis.Nutrients. 2017;9(9):940. doi:10.3390/nu9090940
Dreher ML, Davenport AJ.Hass avocado composition and potential health effects.Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr.2013;53(7):738-50. doi:10.1080/10408398.2011.556759
Varney J, Barrett J, Scarlata K, Catsos P, Gibson PR, Muir JG.FODMAPs: food composition, defining cutoff values and international application.J Gastroenterol Hepatol.2017 Mar;32 Suppl 1:53-61. doi:10.1111/jgh.13698
Monash University.10 foods you didn’t know you could eat on a low FODMAP diet.
Monash University.Low FODMAP Diet App.
U.S. Department of Agriculture.Avocados, Raw, All Commercial Varieties.
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