Practical framework for implementing a starch- and sucrose-reduced diet using Australian national food composition data

Objective Impaired sucrase-isomaltase activity may contribute to gastrointestinal symptoms in irritable bowel syndrome and sucrase-isomaltase deficiency. A starch- and sucrose-reduced diet (SSRD) is increasingly used. However, existing resources rely on US-derived categorical food lists that lack transparent sucrose and starch thresholds, omit portion guidance and may not reflect national food composition data. We aimed to develop a reproducible framework for applying an SSRD using nationally derived food composition data. Design/Method Sucrose, maltose, starch and dietary fibre values were extracted from the Australian Food Composition Database (AUSNUT 2023). A reproducible framework was developed to classify foods based on independent evaluation of sucrose and starch content. A traffic-light system was applied to sucrose and starch values. Portion-based modelling determined practical portion sizes providing up to 1 g sucrose and 1 g starch per portion. Fibre-dense foods compatible with defined sucrose and starch thresholds were compiled to support dietary adequacy. Results Application of the framework to AUSNUT 2023 demonstrated classification of foods using independent sucrose/starch thresholds. Twenty-seven fruits and 43 vegetables met defined low-sucrose and low-starch criteria. Portion-based thresholds identified portion sizes corresponding to up to 1 g sucrose and 1 g starch per portion. Sixteen fibre-dense foods compatible with SSRD principles were identified. Conclusions Application of nationally derived food composition data with explicit separation of sucrose and starch and portion-based interpretation provides a transparent and adaptable framework to standardise dietary resources and inform future SSRD protocol development. This approach may reduce unintended restriction and support greater diversity across multiple food environments in research and clinical settings.