cracked wheat
Grains
Is cracked wheat high in polyols?
Is cracked wheat high or low in polyols? See its exact rating, how much counts as a portion, and its FODMAP, salicylate, oxalate and diet compatibility in one place.
Related checkers
Compare cracked wheat across criteria
Sensitivity notes
Why polyols food checker matters
Polyols (sugar alcohols) are found naturally in some fruits and vegetables, and are used as artificial sweeteners. They're poorly absorbed and can cause digestive symptoms, especially in IBS sufferers.
- Avoid sugar-free products with sorbitol, mannitol, xylitol, maltitol
- Stone fruits are naturally high in polyols
- Cooking doesn't reduce polyol content
- Avocado portion size matters - small amounts may be fine
- Cauliflower and mushrooms are common triggers
Sensitivities
What cracked wheat contains
FODMAPs
Histamine & Amines
Plant compounds
Irritants
Additives
Allergens
Diet fit
Where cracked wheat fits
Therapeutic diets
Lifestyle diets
Religious diets
What to know about cracked wheat
Cracked wheat is exactly what the name says: raw wheat berries broken into coarse pieces, nothing else done to them. That is the real difference from bulgur, which is parboiled and dried before it is cracked, so bulgur only needs a soak while cracked wheat has to actually be cooked. As a trigger the two are close cousins. Cracked wheat grades E for gluten, so it is off the table in coeliac disease, and D for fructans and D for total FODMAPs, which is a step below whole-grain farro but far above rice. If you have been swapping bulgur for cracked wheat in pilaf or porridge and wondering why it still bothers you, this is why.
Watch for
- Contains gluten (E).Cracked wheat is whole wheat, so it is unsafe in coeliac disease and off limits on a gluten-free diet
- High in fructans (D) and high overall on FODMAPs (D), the usual cause of the bloating that follows a big bowl of tabbouleh, kisir or wheat porridge
- High in lectins (D), and unlike bulgur it has not been precooked, so it genuinely needs a full simmer rather than the soak-only treatment bulgur gets
- Moderately poor for low-fermentation SIBO diets (C), so treat it as an occasional grain rather than a daily base if you are following one
- Clean everywhere else that matters: no histamine, no salicylates, no oxalate, no nickel and no sulfites, so if you react to cracked wheat the story is almost always gluten or fructans
Explore related in Grains
Compare similar foods to build a personalized list of swaps that work for your system.
Polyols Guide
Everything you need to know about polyols sensitivity and smart food choices.
Polyols (sugar alcohols) are found naturally in some fruits and vegetables, and are used as artificial sweeteners. They're poorly absorbed and can cause digestive symptoms, especially in IBS sufferers.
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 Polyols sensitivity:
View all safe options
These foods have moderate levels and may be tolerated in small amounts:
These foods are high in polyols and may trigger symptoms:
View full list
If you're sensitive to Polyols, consider these strategies:
- 1Avoid sugar-free products with sorbitol, mannitol, xylitol, maltitol
- 2Stone fruits are naturally high in polyols
- 3Cooking doesn't reduce polyol content
- 4Avocado portion size matters - small amounts may be fine
- 5Cauliflower and mushrooms are common triggers
Pro tip: Keep a food diary to track your reactions. The Triggerbites app makes this easy with automatic pattern detection.
Want personalized tracking?
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Get the AppFAQ
Is cracked wheat high in Polyols?
Polyols: low signal for most people.
Can I still eat cracked wheat if I'm sensitive to Polyols?
Usually fine in normal portions.
What else should I check?
Check Gluten, AIP, and EoE Compatible next for a fuller picture.