Is coffee low FODMAP?
By GroceryWise · Published
In Monash University's words, "coffee itself is low in FODMAPs". What you add matters more: Monash lists cow's milk as high in FODMAPs because of its lactose, while lactose-free milk and some plant milks are low in the right serve. Monash's public pages don't give a serve for espresso, instant coffee or cold brew; the Monash FODMAP app may, so check it there.
The oat, coconut and soy figures are those Monash published in February 2024, in Low FODMAP Dairy Alternatives: Milk & Yoghurt Guide. The Monash FODMAP app holds Monash's current serves, so check the app before relying on a number here. This page is general information, not dietary advice.
| Milk | Monash rating | Published |
|---|---|---|
| Oat milk | Low up to 104ml; high at 250ml | 20 Feb 2024 |
| Unsweetened UHT coconut milk | Low at ¾ cup; moderate at 1 cup (250ml) | 20 Feb 2024 |
| Soy milk made from soy protein | Low | 20 Feb 2024 |
| Soy milk made from whole soy beans | High | 20 Feb 2024 |
| Almond milk | Low | Food list, undated |
| Lactose-free milk | Low | Food list, undated |
| Cow's milk | High | Food list, undated |
The almond, lactose-free and cow's milk ratings come from Monash's high and low FODMAP food list, which gives no date.
Why coffee can still upset you
Monash notes that while coffee itself is low in FODMAPs, many people say it stimulates the gut, with cramping, diarrhoea or urgency. In the limited studies, both caffeinated and decaffeinated coffee increased activity in the muscles of the bowel, caffeinated slightly more, which suggests it is the mix of compounds in coffee rather than caffeine alone (Non-FODMAP dietary triggers of IBS symptoms, March 2024).
An earlier Monash article reports studies in which 26 to 40% of people with IBS named coffee as a symptom trigger, and notes that those findings come almost entirely from observational studies (Does caffeine affect IBS symptoms?, August 2017).
Espresso, instant and cold brew
Monash's public pages don't give a serve for any of the three; the Monash FODMAP app may, so check it there. As one example of how a Monash dietitian takes coffee, a dietitian's day on a low FODMAP plate describes a single-shot espresso with a dash of lactose-free milk. That is one person's breakfast, not a tested serve.
Which milk to add to coffee
For a milky coffee, the milk is where FODMAPs come in. Lactose-free milk and almond milk are on Monash's low list. Oat milk is low only in a small serve, up to 104ml, and unsweetened UHT coconut milk up to ¾ cup; for canned coconut milk and coconut yoghurt, see is coconut milk low FODMAP?. For soy milk, check the ingredient list: Monash's 2024 post explains that soy milk made from whole soy beans is high, because the beans' GOS leaches into the milk, while soy protein milk leaves the GOS behind.
The milks below were in Coles' FODMAP Friendly aisle, which GroceryWise lists as Low FODMAP Food, when we checked in October 2026.
Almond milks to compare
Almond milks from the FODMAP Friendly aisle. We haven't tested it, so check the pack for a certification logo and its serve size.
- Sanitarium So Good Unsweetened Almond Long Life Milk UHT at Coles and Woolworths
- Sanitarium So Good Almond Long Life Milk UHT at Coles and Woolworths
- Coles Almond Milk Unsweetened at Coles
Soy milks to compare
Monash rates soy milk made from soy protein differently from soy milk made from whole soy beans, and the ingredient list says which it is. We haven't tested it, so check the pack for a certification logo and its serve size.
- Sanitarium So Good Soy Regular Long Life Milk UHT at Coles and Woolworths
- Coles Regular Soy Milk at Coles
Before you buy
- Look for a Monash University or FODMAP Friendly logo on the pack.
- Check the serve size printed with the logo: a larger serve may not be low FODMAP.
- Read the ingredient list for garlic, onion, inulin, honey and polyol sweeteners (420, 421, 953, 965, 967).
The ingredients to watch come from Monash University's guide to reading labels. Each product here was chosen from Coles' FODMAP Friendly aisle. The aisle name is not a certification, and we haven't tested any of them. Names, links and stockists come from this week's prices.
Our low FODMAP shopping guide explains both certification logos, and low FODMAP meal ideas include a breakfast with almond or soy milk. For the toast, see is sourdough bread low FODMAP?.
This page is general information, not medical or dietary advice. An Accredited Practising Dietitian who knows the low FODMAP diet can work out which drinks suit you; Dietitians Australia has a directory to find one.