White Radish

Why white radish is rated low

White radish, also called daikon, is low FODMAP. The crisp, watery root carries very little of the carbohydrate that causes trouble on this diet, so it sits low at "Any typical portion". The rating is estimated from what the radish is made of rather than from a measured serving. Fresh white radish is the easy part; the pickled, fermented and dried versions, and the broths it simmers in, are where it changes.

What changes your risk

• Portion size The rating covers "Any typical portion". Low applies per serving, so a normal helping is what the rating describes, not an unlimited one.
• Drying Dried shredded radish has had its water removed, which concentrates everything left behind. A serving of the dried form is not the same as the fresh root.
• Kimchi and pickles Radish kimchi is usually made with garlic and spring onion, and some pickled radish brines include garlic or onion. Read the label rather than assuming the radish rating carries over.
• Broths and stews Simmered daikon is often cooked in a stock that contains onion or garlic. The radish soaks up that liquid, so the stock decides where the dish lands.
• Stacking the meal The radish adds little on its own, but a bowl that also holds wheat noodles, onion and garlic builds a real load across the meal.

What else works

For a similar crisp, fresh crunch, cucumber, carrot and bell pepper all sit low. In soups and simmered dishes, potato and carrot hold up the same way. The forms of radish to treat as different foods are radish kimchi, pickled radish with garlic in the brine, and dried shredded radish, since the first two often carry garlic or onion and the third is concentrated.

How to keep it low

Pick a firm, heavy root with smooth, unwrinkled skin, wrap it, and store it in the fridge, where it keeps well. Peel it and slice, grate or cut it into sticks for salads, or grate it raw as a topping for fish or rice. To simmer it, use a homemade stock made without onion or garlic, adding the green tops of spring onions or a pinch of asafoetida for savoury depth. When buying pickled radish, check the ingredient list for garlic, onion or honey.

Common questions

is daikon radish low fodmap

Yes. White radish, or daikon, is low FODMAP at "Any typical portion", a rating estimated from what it is made of.

is radish kimchi low fodmap

Usually not as bought, since radish kimchi is typically made with garlic and spring onion. The radish is low, but the seasoning is not.

is dried daikon low fodmap

Dried shredded radish is concentrated by drying, so a serving of it is not the same as fresh radish. The low rating here applies to the fresh root at "Any typical portion".

can i eat white radish in soup on low fodmap

Yes, the radish itself stays low when cooked. The broth matters more, so use a stock made without onion or garlic.