Which Candies Are Okay?

[Esther Sparhawk]

My Annie, who is three years old, is a celiac. At the fourth of July parade, she enjoyed gathering candy with all of the other kids on the sidelines. But now that we're home with that bucket of candy, which ones can she eat? Nobody gives out Hershey's milk chocolate on the 4th, because it's too melty. What about Tootsie Rolls and Jolly Ranchers? Are either of them safe?

[lorka150]

both tootsie rolls and jolly ranchers are gluten-free.

[Girl Ninja]

The only ones I can think of that are NOT ok are red licorice and anything with crispy rice in it.

[jenvan]

yes, those are okay, and here are a few more to add to the list:

skittles

sweet tarts

regular snickers

charm's blow pops

dum dum pops

jelly bellys

jolly ranchers

sprees

starburst original fruit chews

runts (wonka)

[Tori's Dad]

One more to avoid is Smarties according to our nutritionist.

[lorka150]

mini skittles (or little skittles, not too sure what they are called) are NOT gluten-free.

[angel-jd1]

One more to avoid is Smarties according to our nutritionist.

According to the smarties website....they are safe. I would go with that information rather than the nutritionist. Most of the time they are clueless anyways....so enjoy your smarties Maybe give some to the nutritionist to make him/her "smarter" haha

Open Original Shared Link

-Jessica

[hez]

If I remember correctly smarties in the US (little sugar discs) are safe. However, there is a smarties in Canada (similar to m&ms) that is not gluten-free. Did I get that right?

Hez

[Girl Ninja]

US "Smarties" are entirely different from Canadian "Smarties." In the US they are flavored sugar pressed into a pill-like shape. In Canada they are candy-coated chocolate. US Smarties are ok. I live on the border.

[Esther Sparhawk]

Wow! Thanks you guys! This is my first time on this forum. I wasn't expecting such a quick response. This is amazing!

Annie is eating a Jolly Rancher right now. And she's very excited about being able to do so. Candy is an important thing when you're three!

How about Lifesavers? Does anyone know if Lifesavers candies and lollipops are okay?

And which gum brands are okay? I'm surprised to hear Blowpops are okay, because I thought wheat was a regular ingredient in gum.

[hez]

I eat lifesavers all the time and chew trident gum. I don't think I ever contacted these companies so I can not verify the gluten-free status (probably just checked this website for gluten-free status). There is actually alot of candy that is gluten-free so it should be easy to enjoy your favorites.

Hez

[jenvan]

Wow! Thanks you guys! This is my first time on this forum. I wasn't expecting such a quick response. This is amazing!

Annie is eating a Jolly Rancher right now. And she's very excited about being able to do so. Candy is an important thing when you're three!

How about Lifesavers? Does anyone know if Lifesavers candies and lollipops are okay?

And which gum brands are okay? I'm surprised to hear Blowpops are okay, because I thought wheat was a regular ingredient in gum.

I don't chew gum, so can't tell you about that--I'm sure someone else can, but there are a lot that are gluten-free. And to confirm again, blow pops are okay. Go here and read the bottom fine print on the page--good news! Open Original Shared Link

OK-found Lifesavers AND some gum for you--go here and read the gluten-free wrigley's list: Open Original Shared Link (top paragraph)

[lorka150]

most gum is gluten-free.

and yes, smarties in canada have gluten in them. but m&ms are fine.

[Nic]

When my son was first diagnosed I was calling all of the companies that make snacks and candies. Most of them sent me a list of all their gluten free foods (of course I don't know where they are right now). But it is worth making those calls.

[penguin]

Hershey will clearly list gluten in the ingredient statement as either wheat, barley, rye, or oats. Same goes for nestle.