golden syrup
Sweeteners
Is golden syrup high in gos?
Is golden syrup high or low in gos? See its exact rating, how much counts as a portion, and its FODMAP, salicylate, oxalate and diet compatibility in one place.
Related checkers
Compare golden syrup across criteria
Sensitivity notes
Why gos food checker matters
Galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS) are carbohydrates found mainly in legumes and some vegetables. They're a FODMAP that can ferment in the gut, causing bloating and discomfort in sensitive people.
- Canned and rinsed legumes are lower in GOS than dried
- Start with smaller portions and build up tolerance
- Some people find beano-type enzymes helpful
- Firm tofu is lower in GOS than silken tofu
- Sprouted legumes may be better tolerated
Sensitivities
What golden syrup contains
FODMAPs
Histamine & Amines
Plant compounds
Irritants
Additives
Allergens
Diet fit
Where golden syrup fits
Therapeutic diets
Lifestyle diets
Religious diets
What to know about golden syrup
Golden syrup, the amber tin in every British baking cupboard, is cane sugar that has been partially inverted. During refining an acid step splits part of the sucrose into free glucose and free fructose, which is what stops the syrup crystallising and gives it the buttery caramel flavour it is bought for. That single chemical step is why it grades differently from the sugar it came from. Cane sugar is A for excess fructose, because its fructose is locked to glucose in a one-to-one sucrose molecule and the two travel across the gut wall together. Inversion unlocks part of that, leaving free fructose that has to cross on GLUT5 by itself. Golden syrup therefore grades C for excess fructose, C for total FODMAPs and C for SIBO fermentability: borderline and dose dependent, easy enough by the teaspoon over porridge and considerably less easy in a tray of flapjacks or a treacle tart. Away from sugar chemistry it is quiet, grading A for gluten, histamine and histamine liberation, salicylates, oxalates, sulfites, nickel, glutamates, lactose and dairy protein.
Watch for
- Partial inversion is the whole story.Free fructose from split sucrose puts golden syrup at C for excess fructose, where the uninverted cane sugar it is made from grades A
- C for total FODMAPs and C for SIBO fermentability, which is awkward given that golden syrup is used almost exclusively in sticky baking where nobody stops at a teaspoon
- Do not confuse it with black treacle or molasses.Those grade D for FODMAPs, D for sulfites and C for salicylates, so they are a different and broader risk than the one on this page
- Gluten free by composition at A, even though it usually turns up bound into wheat flour in flapjacks, gingerbread and tarts
- Refined sugar all the same: D for anti-inflammatory eating and D against DASH and Mediterranean patterns
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GOS Guide
Everything you need to know about gos sensitivity and smart food choices.
Galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS) are carbohydrates found mainly in legumes and some vegetables. They're a FODMAP that can ferment in the gut, causing bloating and discomfort in sensitive people.
Sensitivity varies widely. What triggers one person may be fine for another. Track your reactions to find your personal threshold.
These foods are generally well-tolerated for GOS sensitivity:
View all safe options
These foods have moderate levels and may be tolerated in small amounts:
These foods are high in gos and may trigger symptoms:
View full list
If you're sensitive to GOS, consider these strategies:
- 1Canned and rinsed legumes are lower in GOS than dried
- 2Start with smaller portions and build up tolerance
- 3Some people find beano-type enzymes helpful
- 4Firm tofu is lower in GOS than silken tofu
- 5Sprouted legumes may be better tolerated
Pro tip: Keep a food diary to track your reactions. The Triggerbites app makes this easy with automatic pattern detection.
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Get the AppFAQ
Is golden syrup high in GOS?
GOS: low signal for most people.
Can I still eat golden syrup if I'm sensitive to GOS?
Usually fine in normal portions.
What else should I check?
Check AIP, Specific Carbohydrate, and Paleo next for a fuller picture.