How to Choose Low FODMAP Throat Lozenges

If you’re living with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) and following the low FODMAP diet, you know how tricky it can be to find the right products that won’t trigger your symptoms. When you have a sore throat, finding a low FODMAP throat lozenge can feel like a challenge as they commonly contain high FODMAP ingredients. But don’t worry — we’ve got you covered. Keep reading for tips on how to choose low FODMAP throat lozenges, as well as brand recommendations.

Please note that this article contains recommendations for low FODMAP throat lozenges. This article is for educational purposes and should not be regarded as medical advice or replace the advice of your doctor, dietitian or pharmacist.

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Tips for choosing low FODMAP throat lozenges

These simple tips can help you find a low FODMAP throat lozenge that is less likely to trigger your gut symptoms.

1. Look for Sucrose or Glucose-Sweetened Lozenges

When selecting a throat lozenge, look for options that are sweetened with sucrose (table sugar) or glucose. These are both considered low FODMAP sweeteners and are often well tolerated by people with gut issues, unlike some sugar alternatives.

2. Avoid Sugar-Free Options with Polyol-Based Sweeteners

Many sugar-free throat lozenges are sweetened with polyols such as sorbitol, mannitol, xylitol, maltitol, isomalt, and erythritol. Unfortunately, these sweeteners are high FODMAP and can lead to bloating, gas, and other digestive discomforts. While sugar-free products might seem like a healthier option, they can be a hidden source of FODMAPs. If you are in the first phase of the low FODMAP diet, steer clear of polyol-based sweeteners when choosing your throat lozenges.

3. Be Careful with Honey in Throat Lozenges

Honey might seem like a natural, soothing option for a sore throat, and it does have a small low FODMAP serving size. However, the amount of honey in throat lozenges can vary greatly between brands, making it difficult to know whether you’re staying within a low FODMAP serving. Additionally, if you end up having a couple of lozenges close together, the amount of combined honey in the lozenges could push you over the FODMAP recommendation. That means if you’re unsure about your tolerance to honey, we’d suggest avoiding honey-based lozenges, especially if you are in the first phase of the low FODMAP Diet.

4. Skip Lozenge Options with High Fructose Corn Syrup

Another ingredient to avoid is high fructose corn syrup (HFCS). It’s sometimes found in throat lozenges and can cause digestive issues for some people with IBS.

5. Avoid high FODMAP flavours

Lozenges come in all sorts of flavours. If you are in the first phase of the diet, then we’d suggest avoiding blackcurrant, cherry and honey flavoured lozenges. These flavours are derived from high FODMAP foods and without laboratory testing it’s hard to know what FODMAP levels will be in lozenges using these flavours.

Low FODMAP Brand Recommendations for Throat Lozenges

Please note that manufacturers can change the ingredients of their products at any time. Make sure you check the label before purchasing. The products listed below are low FODMAP options we found while researching this article – they are not sponsored products or affiliate products.

Australia

Codral Sore Throat Lozenges Antibacterial + Anaesthetic Lime & Lemon Flavour

Sweeteners: Glucose and Sucrose

Strepsils Orange Flavour

Sweeteners: Glucose and Sucrose

Strepsils Anaesthetic

Sweeteners: Sucrose; Glucose & Saccharin

Vicks VapoDrops Butter Menthol

Sweeteners: Glucose liquid and Sucrose

Vicks VapoDrops Immune Support Orange

Sweeteners: Sugars and Sucralose

Canada