If you have irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), you may want to avoid fruits high in fructose and polyols, like pears, peaches, and plums. Instead, consider eating blueberries, strawberries, and oranges.

If you have IBS, you may benefit from avoiding fruits that have high amounts of fructose and polyols, particularly during a flare up.

This article reviews which fruits to avoid with IBS and which fruits are OK to eat in moderation.

If you’re living with IBS, you may benefit from reducing the amount of FODMAPs you consume. FODMAPs (fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyols) are types of fermentable short-chain carbohydrates that can cause bloating and other digestive symptoms in some people.

Some fruits are high in fructose and polyols. You may want to avoid the following if you have IBS or are following a low FODMAP diet.

  • peaches
  • watermelon
  • pears
  • mangoes
  • apples
  • plums
  • nectarines
  • cherries
  • apricots

You may also want to avoid canned fruit in natural fruit juice and large amounts of fruit juice or dried fruit.

Some fruits lower in fructose and other difficult-to-digest carbohydrates include:

  • oranges
  • blueberries
  • strawberries
  • bananas
  • cantaloupe
  • honeydew
  • kiwi
  • lemon
  • lime

You may be able to include these fruits in small amounts without triggering symptoms.

When determining the amount and types of fruit you will consume, it’s a good idea to:

  • speak with your doctor first
  • consider your nutritional needs
  • ensure that your diet plan is manageable to stick to
  • consider adding foods back slowly and in small amounts after a specified time
  • keep a food diary of what food you ate, how much, what time of day, and any symptoms you experienced

Also, consider that IBS is a multifactorial condition, which means many things can affect the severity of your symptoms. Work with your doctor to establish the best treatment plan for you, and consider other possible contributing factors, such as stress, that you may be able to address too.

Due to their high fructose and polyol levels, you may find that avoiding or limiting fruits like apples, peaches, and pears helps your IBS symptoms.

You may be able to eat blueberries, bananas, and honeydew in moderation without triggering your IBS symptoms because they contain fewer harder-to-digest carbohydrates.

If you have IBS, talk with a healthcare professional about the best dietary plan for you. While many people benefit from restricting certain foods, every person is unique. A healthcare professional can help you determine which foods may affect you and help you avoid unnecessary dietary restrictions.

Your doctor can also advise you of any other treatments or medications that can help ease your symptoms.