5 Gut Safe Ingredients To Look For (And 5 To Avoid)

Why Ingredient Transparency Matters for Gut Health

If you’ve ever picked up a snack, flipped it over to read the ingredient list and felt confused, you’re not alone. Even many so-called better for you products are filled with ingredients that might sound healthy but can actually cause bloating, gas, and inflammation—especially for people with IBS, SIBO, or sensitive digestion.

At Preme, we formulate with the most gentle, research-backed ingredients to support your gut microbiome—not work against it. Here’s what to look for (and what to leave behind).

If you experience gut issues or you want to improve your digestion and reduce inflammation, understanding the list of common ingredients that are harmful versus supportive will prevent you from perpetuating the flares and allow your body time to heal. 

When I got sick, I thought I was "being healthy" - I ate low fat, small portions, gluten free, and generally organic. Unfortunately, after working with Dr. Juliana King, our functional medicine doctor, I recognized that there were recurring ingredients in common better for you snacks that were still contributing to poor gut health. 

❌ 5 Common Ingredients to Avoid (Especially with Gut Issues)

1. Inulin, Jerusalem Artichoke, and Chicory Root Fiber

Though technically prebiotic fibers, these are high-FODMAP and can cause bloating, gas, and discomfort in people with IBS or SIBO; which can ultimately result in added inflammation you will later want to reduce. 

2. Sugar Alcohols (like erythritol, xylitol, sorbitol, some monkfruit)

Common in “sugar-free” products, sugar alcohols ferment in the gut, causing gas, cramping, and diarrhea—even in people with otherwise normal digestion. Depending on the supplier, a lot of monkfruit powders contains erythritol. 

3. Gums and Thickeners (guar gum, xanthan gum, carrageenan)

Used for texture or shelf stability, many gums can irritate the intestinal lining or feed problematic bacteria—especially when consumed regularly. Some are even linked to cancer. 

4. Corn and Wheat Derivatives 

Unfortunately, due to the way we grow and subsidize these commonly used crops in the United States, most corn and wheat are sprayed with heavy amounts of pesticides, not to mention they are very denatured from their original seed due to GMOs. These ingredients will inevitably have cancer-linked pesticides on them so we do not recommend for daily use. A lot of other prebiotic fibers are derived from these sources. 

5. Dairy that has not been Grass-Fed, A2, or Raw 

When I stopped eating dairy all together, it became increasingly difficult to meet my healthy fat, vitamins and protein goals. Inflammation and irritation occurs very commonly with people who experience gut issues. If you consider the fact that most cows are fed a pesticide-ridden diet that they can't properly digest, antibiotics, and don't get that much movement or sunlight... what they produce is probably going to be interlaced with the same toxicity. What I have noticed and what a lot of sources are saying is that if you have more pure sources of dairy, from happy cows who were raised on grass, with movement and sunlight - you are more likely to experience less gut inflammation. Regardless, we recommend it in small dosages for people who struggle with gut health, and not at all if you are experiencing reactions. 

How Preme Keeps It Gut-Safe

At Preme, every ingredient is chosen with intention, to be the utmost safe and gentle, and tested against other sensitive stomachs:

• No fake sweeteners or sugar alcohols tricking your brain without glucose to process
• Anti inflammatory, minimally processed, organic ingredients only
• FODMAP friendly always
• French Grade, Organic, natural flavors 
• Adhering to emerging and root cause science.
• Bio available trace + macro minerals, providing efficient + effective hydration

• No gut disruptive gums, fillers, or bulking agents

We believe what you leave out is just as important as what you put in.

Final Thoughts

Gut-friendly products shouldn’t be hard to find—or hard on your stomach. When you know what to look for (and what to avoid), you can confidently choose products that support digestion, skin, mood, and energy without added bloat. 

Ready to try clean, bloat-free hydration and fiber support?
Explore Preme Gentle Prebiotics and our Hydration Duo set containing: Hot Cocoa + Kiwi Lemonade—crafted with only the most gut-safe ingredients.