Back to GOS food checker
maple sugar

maple sugar

Sweeteners

Is maple sugar high in gos?

GOS status
Safe

Is maple sugar 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.

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 maple sugar contains

FODMAPs

FODMAPsLow
FructansSafe
GOSSafe
FructoseLow
PolyolsSafe
LactoseSafe

Histamine & Amines

HistamineSafe
Histamine Liberators
TyramineSafe

Plant compounds

SalicylatesSafe
OxalatesSafe
LectinSafe
NightshadesSafe

Irritants

CaffeineSafe
AlcoholSafe
Spicy FoodsSafe
Acidic FoodsSafe

Additives

SulfitesSafe
NitritesSafe
GlutamatesSafe

Allergens

Dairy ProteinsSafe
GlutenSafe
EggSafe
PeanutSafe
Tree NutsSafe
SoySafe
FishSafe
CrustaceansSafe
MolluscsSafe
SesameSafe
CelerySafe
MustardSafe
LupinSafe
Alpha-galSafe
NickelSafe

Diet fit

Where maple sugar fits

Therapeutic diets

Low HistamineFit
Low SalicylateFit
Low FermentationLow
EoE CompatibleFit
AIPCheck
InflammationAvoid
Reflux DietFit
Specific CarbohydrateAvoid
Low FibreFit
Gastroparesis DietFit

Lifestyle diets

VeganFit
VegetarianFit
PescatarianFit
MediterraneanCheck
DASH DietCheck
PaleoFit
Whole30Avoid
KetoAvoid
Low-carbAvoid

Religious diets

HalalFit
KosherFit
Hindu (no beef)Fit
JainFit
Buddhist VegetarianFit
Orthodox FastingFit
Ingredient notes

What to know about maple sugar

Maple sugar is maple syrup taken one stage further. The sap is boiled past the syrup point until nearly all the water has gone and the sugars, overwhelmingly sucrose, crystallise into a dry granulated sugar with the same flavour concentrated into it. Losing the water is what separates it from the bottle on the breakfast table in our grading, and the gap is larger than most people expect. Maple syrup grades E for SIBO fermentability, the worst tier, because a poured liquid free-sugar load arrives in the small intestine fast and in quantity. Maple sugar grades B: borderline rather than high. That is the specific reason we use it as the swap when a recipe wants honey, agave or maple syrup and you are managing bacterial overgrowth. It also sits at B for total FODMAPs and B for excess fructose, so it is a gentler option rather than a free pass. On food chemicals it is clean, grading A for gluten, lactose, dairy protein, salicylates, oxalates, nickel, sulfites, glutamates, tyramine and histamine content, with histamine liberation unrated rather than cleared.

Watch for

  • B for SIBO fermentability against maple syrup at E.If you have reacted to maple syrup and want to keep the flavour, the dry form is the version worth testing
  • B for total FODMAPs and B for excess fructose, so it scales with the amount.Borderline grades reward measuring rather than pouring
  • Histamine liberation is unrated (U), not cleared.If you are strict about liberators, treat maple sugar as untested on that column rather than proven safe, and log it deliberately the first few times
  • Check that it says pure maple.Maple-flavoured sugar and pancake syrup are usually cane sugar or corn syrup plus flavouring, and they carry that ingredient profile, not this one
  • Still a concentrated sugar: D for anti-inflammatory eating and C against DASH and Mediterranean patterns, better than most refined sweeteners on those columns but not good
Learn More

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:

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.

Want personalized tracking?

Download Triggerbites to log meals, track symptoms, and discover your unique triggers.

Get the App

FAQ

Is maple sugar high in GOS?

GOS: low signal for most people.

Can I still eat maple sugar if I'm sensitive to GOS?

Usually fine in normal portions.

What else should I check?

Check Specific Carbohydrate, Whole30, and Keto next for a fuller picture.