Well-known for their creative commercials, Airheads are a popular fruity candy! They come in many different flavors and have been around since most people were kids. But are they the best choice for everyone? If you have celiac disease or sensitivity to gluten, it is important to know what is gluten-free and what is not.
Airheads are gluten-free and will not cause a reaction for those who need to avoid gluten. While Airheads are not the healthiest snack of choice, they are low in calories and come in controlled servings. If you’re interested in other gluten-free sweets options, the best alternative to Airheads is Lily’s Gummy Bears Sweet Fruity Friends.
Ready to learn more about whether Airheads are healthy, as well as other healthier gluten-free alternatives? Let’s dig in!
Are Airheads Healthy?
Airheads are not healthy. While they are low in calories, they tend to contain large amounts of sugar, almost all of which are from artificial sources such as dextrose and maltitol syrup.
It is important to note that almost all of the Airheads products do contain both high fructose corn syrup and palm oil, which are two ingredients that are considered controversial.
High fructose corn syrup has become a common ingredient in many foods over the past few decades. Companies discovered that it was a cheaper form of sugar and sweeter, leading consumers to become even more addicted to soda, candy, and frozen junk foods. Overconsumption of it can lead to obesity, diabetes, and high blood pressure.
Palm oil is both detrimental to your health and the environment. The oil is relatively high in saturated fats compared to other oils and a possible cause of heart disease. Also, it is one of the most significant contributors to deforestation. The harvesting of palm oil has led to homes of numerous endangered species being destroyed.
Airheads Nutritional Facts
Airheads
Here is some important nutrition information to note (per serving):
- Calories: 130
- Total fat: 1 g
- Total carbohydrate: 30 g
- Total sugars: 21 g
- Protein: 0 g
These are the ingredients in the Airheads:
- Sugar
- Corn syrup
- Maltodextrin
- Dextrose
- Modified food starch (corn)
- Palm oil
- Contains less than 2% of: citric acid, water, artificial flavors, red 40, blue 1, yellow 6, yellow 5
Airheads Bites
Here is some important nutrition information to note (per serving):
- Calories: 120
- Total fat: 1 g
- Total carbohydrate: 26 g
- Total sugars: 20 g
- Protein: 0 g
These are the ingredients in the Airheads Bites:
- Sugar
- Glucose syrup
- Maltodextrin
- Dextrose
- Hydrogenated coconut oil
- Contains less than 2% of: citric acid, modified corn starch, sorbitol, artificial flavors, glycerine, rice starch, carnauba wax, beeswax, shellac, gellan gum, sucrose esters of fatty acids, red 40, blue 1, yellow 6, yellow 5
Airheads Soft Filled Bites
Here is some important nutrition information to note (per serving):
- Calories: 110
- Total fat: 0 g
- Total carbohydrate: 26 g
- Total sugars: 20 g
- Protein: 0 g
These are the ingredients in the Airheads Soft Filled Bites:
- Sugar
- Glucose syrup
- Corn starch
- High fructose corn syrup
- Food starch-modified (potato)
- Citric acid
- Contains less than 2% of: dextrose, malic acid, lactic acid, gelatin, hydrogenated palm oil, artificial flavors, fumaric acid, artificial colors, glycerol, sorbitol, salt, blue 1, red 40, yellow 6, yellow 5
Airheads Gummies
Here is some important nutrition information to note (per serving):
- Calories: 100
- Total fat: 0 g
- Total carbohydrate: 23 g
- Total sugars: 18 g
- Protein: 2 g
These are the ingredients in the Airheads Gummies:
- Corn syrup
- Sugar
- Gelatin
- Sorbitol
- Contains less than 2% of: citric acid, pectin, artificial flavors, coconut oil, sodium citrate, beeswax, carnauba wax, red 40, yellow 5, blue 1, yellow 6
Airheads Gum
Here is some important nutrition information to note (per serving):
- Calories: 5
- Total fat: 0 g
- Total carbohydrate: 2 g
- Total sugars: 0 g
- Protein: 0 g
These are the ingredients in the Airheads Gum:
- Xylitol
- Sorbitol
- Chewing gum base
- Glycerol
- Maltitol syrup
- Contains less than 2% of: malic acid, artificial flavors, citric acid, tartaric acid, aspartame, carrageenan, coconut fat, sucralose, sucrose fatty acid esters, lecithin (soy), acesulfame K, BHT to maintain freshness, colors (beta-carotene, carmines), blue 1 lake
Airheads Xtremes
Here is some important nutrition information to note (per serving):
- Calories: 220
- Total fat: 1.5 g
- Total carbohydrate: 52 g
- Total sugars: 34 g
- Protein: 1 g
These are the ingredients in the Airheads Xtremes:
- Sugar
- Corn syrup
- Wheat flour
- High fructose corn syrup
- Food starch-modified (corn)
- Food starch-modified (potato)
- Malic acid
- Citric acid
- Contains less than 2% of: glycerine, artificial flavors, hydrogenated soybean oil, potassium citrate, salt, blue 1, red 40, yellow 6, yellow 5
Airheads Xtremes Bites
Here is some important nutrition information to note (per serving):
- Calories: 120
- Total fat: 1 g
- Total carbohydrate: 28 g
- Total sugars: 21 g
- Protein: 0 g
These are the ingredients in the Airheads Xtremes Bites:
- Sugar
- Corn syrup
- Corn starch
- High fructose corn syrup
- Food starch-modified (corn)
- Contains less than 2% of: food starch-modified (potato), wheat starch, malic acid, palm oil, citric acid, artificial flavors, salt, hydrogenated soybean oil, potassium citrate, colors added, carmine, blue 1
Airheads Xtremes Sourfuls
Here is some important nutrition information to note (per serving):
- Calories: 110
- Total fat: 0 g
- Total carbohydrate: 26 g
- Total sugars: 20 g
- Protein: 0 g
These are the ingredients in the Airheads Xtremes Sourfuls:
- Sugar
- Corn syrup
- High fructose corn syrup
- Corn starch
- Food starch-modified (corn)
- Malic acid
- Food starch-modified (potato)
- Contains less than 2% of: dextrose, wheat starch, citric acid, palm oil, lactic acid, gelatin, artificial flavors, sodium malates, hydrogenated palm oil, sorbitol syrup, glycerine, salt, fumaric acid, potassium citrate, blue 1, red 40, yellow 6, yellow 5
Gluten-Free Alternatives to Airheads Products
Lily’s Sweet Fruity Friends Gummy Bears
If you are wanting a sweet gluten-free treat, these healthy gummy bears are a great option! They contain no sugar and are naturally sweetened with stevia. The ingredients are straight forward and controlled servings come in each package.
Nutrition Info:
- Calories: 70
- Total fat: 0 g
- Total carbohydrates: 42 g
- Total sugars:<1 g
- Protein: 0 g
Ingredients:
- Soluble corn fiber
- Allulose
- Pectin
- Citric acid
- Sodium citrate
- Natural flavors
- Palm oil
- Coconut oil
- Color added (apple, blackcurrant, carrot, lemon, pumpkin, radish, saffron concentrates)
- Carnauba wax
- Stevia extract
Jelly Belly 49 Flavor Jelly Beans
Jelly Belly’s assorted jelly beans are great for Easter or any time of the year. Being able to choose from so many different flavors per package, you are guaranteed to enjoy the treat! It is essential to keep in mind that there are multiple ingredients listed for this food because a different element is used to flavor each of the 49 jelly bean varieties.
Nutrition Info:
- Calories: 140
- Total fat: 0 g
- Total carbohydrates: 37 g
- Total sugars: 28 g
- Protein: 0 g
Ingredients:
- Sugar, Corn Syrup, Modified Food Starch, Contains 2% Or Less Of The Following: Peach Puree Concentrate, Blackberry Puree, Strawberry Puree, Blueberry Puree, Raspberry Puree, Strawberry Juice Concentrate, Apple Juice Concentrate, Banana Puree, Plum Juice Concentrate, Cherry Juice Concentrate, Chocolate Liquor, Cocoa Butter, Soy Lecithin (An Emulsifier), Coconut, Lemon Puree, Orange Puree, Lime Juice Concentrate, Tangerine Juice Concentrate, Watermelon Juice Concentrate, Grapefruit Juice Concentrate, Pineapple Juice Concentrate, Cantaloupe Juice Concentrate, Pomegranate Juice Concentrate, Pear Juice Concentrate, Kiwi Juice Concentrate, Mango Puree, Mango Juice Concentrate, Passion Fruit Juice Concentrate, Citric Acid, Fumaric Acid, Lactic Acid, Malic Acid, Phosphoric Acid, Ascorbic Acid, Sodium Lactate, Sodium Citrate, Cocoa Powder, Natural And Artificial Flavors, Coffee, Color Added, Red 40 Lake, Yellow 5 & 6 Lake, Blue 1 & 2 Lake, Yellow 5 & 6, Red 40, Blue 1, Tapioca Dextrin, Vanilla Beans, Beeswax, Carnauba Wax, Confectioner’s Glaze, Salt, Caffeine.
Smarties Original Candy Roll
Great for both kids and adults, smarties candy rolls are gluten-free and low in calories. They are moderately healthy due to the minimal ingredients, yet the use of artificial flavors may be controversial because of the involvement of animal testing.
Nutrition Info:
- Calories: 25
- Total fat: 0 g
- Total carbohydrates: 6 g
- Total sugars: 6 g
- Protein: 0 g
Ingredients:
- Dextrose
- Citric acid
- Calcium stearate
- Natural and artificial flavors
- Colors (red 40 lake, yellow 5 lake, yellow 6 lake, blue 2 lake)
Sour Patch Kids Original
Sour Patch Kids are a classic that you can find almost anywhere! They are gluten-free with minimal ingredients and delicious flavors! Being both sour and sweet, they can be a great option to satisfy your sweet tooth.
Nutrition Info:
- Calories: 150
- Total fat: 0 g
- Total carbohydrates: 37 g
- Total sugars: 26 g
- Protein: 0 g
Ingredients:
- Sugar
- Corn syrup
- Modified corn starch
- Contains less than 2% of: tartaric acid, citric acid, natural and artificial flavor, yellow 6, red 40, yellow 5, blue 1
Final Thoughts
Airheads are an option for anyone following a gluten-free diet. They carry various products, including gum, which gives the consumers choices between the types of candies and flavors.
However, Airheads are not the healthiest choice for when you want to take care of your sweet tooth or snack on something, but they are low in calories and come in smaller servings. Almost everything is alright in moderation!
If you find out that Airheads are not the best choice for you, but you still need something gluten-free, try Heath bars, Jelly Belly Jelly Beans, Smarties, and Sour Patch Kids!
Related Questions
Are Airheads Vegan?
All Airheads candies are vegan, except for Airheads Soft Filled Bites, Airheads Gummies, and Airheads Xtremes Sourfuls because they contain gelatin.
Are Airheads Kosher?
Yes, they are kosher.
Are Airheads Dairy-Free?
Yes, they are dairy-free.
Are Airheads Peanut-Free?
There are no peanuts used in any Airheads products.