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barley
Grains
Trigger checker for barley
See barley rated across every trigger — FODMAP, histamine, salicylate, oxalate, tyramine and more — plus diet compatibility, all in one quick ingredient profile.
Related checkers
Compare barley across criteria
Sensitivities
What barley contains
FODMAPs
Histamine & Amines
Plant compounds
Irritants
Additives
Allergens
Diet fit
Where barley fits
Therapeutic diets
Lifestyle diets
Religious diets
What to know about barley
Barley is a gluten grain, so people often ask if barley is safe on a gluten-free diet: it is not. It carries the same gluten problem as wheat plus a heavy fructan load, which is why barley in soup, barley malt in cereals and the barley behind most beer can quietly set off both coeliac and IBS symptoms.
Watch for
- Contains gluten, so barley is off-limits for coeliac disease and non-coeliac gluten sensitivity, the same as wheat and rye
- Very high in fructans, a FODMAP that ferments in the gut and commonly causes bloating, gas and cramping even in people with no gluten issue
- Hides in plain sight as barley malt, malt extract, malt vinegar and beer, so a "wheat-free" label does not mean barley-free
Explore related in Grains
Compare similar foods to build a personalized list of swaps that work for your system.
FAQ
What does the FODMAP rating mean for barley?
High FODMAP: consider smaller servings or swap within the same group.
Is barley generally well tolerated?
Fructans (Avoid) and Gluten (Avoid) Start with those if you react.
What should I check next?
Compare within the Grains group.