FODMAP foods / Low FODMAP cereal

Aisle guide

Low FODMAP cereal

Breakfast cereal is a fructan aisle first: anything built on wheat, rye or barley, wheat bran included, is High. Corn and rice based cereals and plain puffed grains are the reliable ones, and oats are a portion question, fine in a modest bowl for many people and too much in a large one. Muesli and granola are where the trouble piles up, because dried fruit, honey and nuts all land in the same bowl. Honey, agave and high fructose corn syrup are High, while plain sugar, maple syrup and glucose syrup are not, which is why two very similar granolas can score differently. The trap is the fibre claim: inulin and chicory root are added to make a cereal look good on the nutrition panel and both are High.

Look for on the label

  • wheat, rye, barley or wheat bran near the top of the list means High
  • honey, agave and high fructose corn syrup are High, sugar and glucose syrup are not
  • inulin and chicory root hide behind the words added fibre or prebiotic
  • dried apple, pear, raisins, dates and figs are all High, dried cranberries are safer in a small serving
  • cashews and pistachios in a muesli are High, walnuts, pecans and peanuts are not

Examples by country

Products we have checked, grouped by where you can find them. The Low ones come first, then the ones worth a closer look, with the ingredient that decides it.

Showing products sold in United Kingdom. Pick another country or show all.

United Kingdom

3 low FODMAP examples, 3 to watch

  • TESCO

    Basmati Rice

    Low
  • Morrisons free from

    choco crackles

    Low
  • turtle

    Cocoa pillows

    Low

Worth a closer look

  • Kellogg's

    Bran Flakes

    High

    Because ofWheat branBarley malt extractWholewheatand 1 more

    See all 16 ingredients

    Bran Flakes are high in FODMAPs due to wheat bran, barley malt extract, wholewheat, and wholewheat flour.

    • Wheat branHighWheat bran is high in fructans, which makes it a high FODMAP ingredient.
    • SugarLowOrdinary table sugar (sucrose) is low FODMAP and safe in typical servings (up to 50 g per meal).
    • Barley malt extractHighBarley malt extract is high FODMAP because it contains significant levels of oligosaccharides (fructans), which can trigger symptoms even in small amounts.
    • Glucose syrupLowGlucose syrup (sirop de glucose) is considered low FODMAP because it primarily contains glucose and not FODMAP sugars; it is safe to consume in typical serving sizes.
    • SaltLowSalt (sel) is a mineral and does not contain any FODMAPs, so it is safe to consume freely on a low FODMAP diet.
    • Natural flavouringUnclearFlavouring is too nonspecific to assess because its FODMAP content depends on the undisclosed substances used, which may include high-FODMAP ingredients.
    • NiacinLowNiacin is a type of vitamin B3 and is not a carbohydrate, so it does not contain FODMAPs and is safe for a low FODMAP diet.
    • IronLowIron (fer) is a mineral and does not contain any FODMAPs, so it is safe for a low FODMAP diet.
    • Vitamin B6LowVitamin B6 is a pure vitamin and contains no FODMAPs, so it is safe for a low FODMAP diet without a serving limit.
    • RiboflavinLowRiboflavin is a B vitamin (B2) and does not contain any FODMAPs, making it low FODMAP and safe to consume.
    • ThiaminLowThiamin (vitamin B1) is a pure vitamin and contains no FODMAPs at any level.
    • Folic acidLowFolic acid is a synthetic form of vitamin B9 and, being a vitamin, it does not contain FODMAPs and is considered low FODMAP.
    • Vitamin dLowVitamin D is a micronutrient and does not contain any FODMAPs, so it is safe for a low FODMAP diet.
    • Vitamin B12LowVitamin B12 is a pure nutrient and not a carbohydrate, so it does not contain any FODMAPs and is safe for a low FODMAP diet.
    • WholewheatHighWholewheat is high in fructans, a type of FODMAP, especially at typical serving sizes.
    • Wholewheat flourHighWholewheat flour is high in fructans, a type of FODMAP, because it is made from the entire wheat grain.
  • Kellogg's

    Céréales Coco Pops

    High

    Because ofBarley malt extract

    See all 16 ingredients
    • RiceLow
    • Glucose syrupLow
    • SugarLow
    • Fat reduced cocoa powderLow
    • Cocoa massLow
    • SaltLow
    • Barley malt extractHigh
    • Natural flavouringsUnclear
    • NiacinLow
    • IronLow
    • Vitamin B6Low
    • Vitamin B2 (riboflavin)Low
    • Vitamin B1 (thiamine hydrochloride)Low
    • Folic acidLow
    • Vitamin dLow
    • Vitamin B12Low
  • Kellogg's

    Cornflakes

    High

    Because ofBarley malt extract

    See all 12 ingredients

    Cornflakes are high in FODMAPs because they contain barley malt extract, while the other listed ingredients are low FODMAP.

    • Barley malt extractHighBarley malt extract is high FODMAP because it contains significant levels of oligosaccharides (fructans), which can trigger symptoms even in small amounts.
    • SugarLowOrdinary table sugar (sucrose) is low FODMAP and safe in typical servings (up to 50 g per meal).
    • SaltLowSalt (sel) is a mineral and does not contain any FODMAPs, so it is safe to consume freely on a low FODMAP diet.
    • NiacinLowNiacin is a type of vitamin B3 and is not a carbohydrate, so it does not contain FODMAPs and is safe for a low FODMAP diet.
    • IronLowIron (fer) is a mineral and does not contain any FODMAPs, so it is safe for a low FODMAP diet.
    • Vitamin B6LowVitamin B6 is a pure vitamin and contains no FODMAPs, so it is safe for a low FODMAP diet without a serving limit.
    • RiboflavinLowRiboflavin is a B vitamin (B2) and does not contain any FODMAPs, making it low FODMAP and safe to consume.
    • ThiaminLowThiamin (vitamin B1) is a pure vitamin and contains no FODMAPs at any level.
    • Folic acidLowFolic acid is a synthetic form of vitamin B9 and, being a vitamin, it does not contain FODMAPs and is considered low FODMAP.
    • Vitamin dLowVitamin D is a micronutrient and does not contain any FODMAPs, so it is safe for a low FODMAP diet.
    • Vitamin B12LowVitamin B12 is a pure nutrient and not a carbohydrate, so it does not contain any FODMAPs and is safe for a low FODMAP diet.
    • Golden corn (maize)LowGolden corn (sweet maize) is low FODMAP at a serving of about 38 g; it contains fructans that may become problematic in larger portions.

What people ask

Are oats low FODMAP?
Oats depend on the serving rather than being Low or High outright, and rolled oats behave differently from instant ones. Start with a modest bowl and build up from there.
Is granola low FODMAP?
It depends entirely on the sweetener and the fruit, since honey, agave, dried apple and raisins are all High. Granola sweetened with plain sugar or maple syrup and studded with pumpkin seeds is a much safer bet.
Are corn flakes low FODMAP?
Plain corn flakes are Low in a normal bowl. Check the list anyway, because honey or high fructose corn syrup shows up in the frosted versions.

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Belly Buddy is not medical advice. FODMAP tolerance is personal. Talk to a dietitian before you change your diet. Product name and brand from Open Food Facts.

How we rate FODMAPs