{"id":16389,"date":"2020-10-29T08:00:03","date_gmt":"2020-10-29T12:00:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=16389"},"modified":"2025-10-15T19:44:30","modified_gmt":"2025-10-15T23:44:30","slug":"gluten-free-candy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/gluten-free-candy\/","title":{"rendered":"Your guide to gluten-free Halloween candy"},"content":{"rendered":"

When the weather turns cooler, and mums and pumpkins start popping up everywhere, that means Halloween is right around the corner. And while it\u2019s a holiday that both kids and adults love, it can be challenging for families who have to consider food-based allergies, intolerances, or sensitivities to things like gluten.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

It\u2019s true: Many favorite candies contain gluten\u2014Milky Way bars, Kit Kats, Lindt chocolate, and even Twizzlers\u2014but there are also plenty that don\u2019t. With a little bit of planning and practice, Halloween doesn\u2019t have to be a scary time for gluten-free households.<\/span> <\/b><\/p>\n

Who needs gluten-free candy?\u00a0<\/b><\/h2>\n

Celiac disease<\/span> is a condition that triggers an immune response to the gluten found in wheat, barley, and rye. People who have this disease must avoid gluten because it might make them feel sick\u2014common symptoms include bloating, diarrhea, headaches, joint pain, nausea, and vomiting. And, over time, it can cause damage to the small intestine, explains Jocelyn Silvester, MD, director of research for the celiac disease program at Boston Children\u2019s Hospital and an assistant professor of pediatrics at Harvard Medical School.<\/span><\/p>\n

Not everyone who avoids eating gluten has <\/span>celiac disease<\/span><\/a>. Some people are allergic to wheat and there are others who are sensitive to gluten. Meaning, eating gluten can have unpleasant side effects like headaches or nausea, but it doesn\u2019t cause lasting damage. The tricky part about these conditions? Gluten can lurk in foods where you don\u2019t expect it, including hard candy, truffles, licorice, fun-size candy bars and chewy confections\u2014and goes by many names.<\/span><\/p>\n

Why it\u2019s important to read labels<\/h2>\n

Dr. Silvester<\/a> says the best way to know if a food contains gluten is to read the ingredients label (the same goes for looking for other common allergens such as soy, tree nuts, and dairy).<\/span><\/p>\n

Gluten can show up in many different forms on candy labels, but here are some<\/span> ingredients<\/span><\/a> to look out for:<\/span><\/p>\n