Are Gushers Vegan Friendly? (We Have the Answer!)


Are Gushers Vegan

Betty Crocker introduced Fruit Gushers in 1991, and they’ve been a hit ever since. Gushers are fruit snacks with a fruity liquid center, setting them apart from regular fruit snacks. There are several different flavors of Gushers, ranging from traditional fruit flavors to sour, but are these fruity snacks vegan?

Fruit Gushers are considered vegan. Unlike many fruit snacks that use gelatin, Fruit Gushers use agar-agar to achieve their texture. However, Fruit Gushers contain questionable ingredients such as refined sugar and artificial coloring, which may be considered non-vegan by some. The best vegan and healthier alternatives to Fruit Gushers include BEAR Real Fruit Snack Rolls and That’s It. Fruit Bar.

Gushers are a very processed food, so there is a long list of ingredients to read through. Gushers contain natural flavors instead of artificial flavors, yet they still contain artificial colors. What else is in these liquid-filled snacks? Read on to learn more!

Are Gushers Healthy?

Gushers have fruit concentrates in their ingredient list and are fruit snacks, which might imply that they’re healthy. Gushers aren’t considered healthy because they’re high in added sugar and are very processed. They have vitamin C added to provide 10% of the daily value for vitamin C per pouch. However, it’s healthier to get vitamin C from whole, natural foods like citrus fruits, bell peppers, and other fruits and vegetables.

Sugar content

The American Heart Association recommends limiting added sugar to no more than 25 grams per day for women and no more than 36 grams per day for men.

Most flavors of Gushers contain 9 grams of added sugar per pouch. That might not seem like a lot, but added sugars are found in many processed foods and add up quickly. One pouch of Gushers would provide over 1/3 of the daily amount of added sugar for women and 1/4 of the daily amount for men.

Questionable ingredients for strict vegans

Refined sugar

Refined sugar (“sugar” on the Gushers ingredients list) is sometimes processed with bone char as a filler. Bone char comes from cattle bones and helps bleach refined sugar, giving its bright white color. It’s difficult to know if the sugar in Gushers contains bone char or not, especially since Gushers aren’t certified vegan. Most vegans eat foods with refined sugar without a second thought, but it might be an issue for some.

Food dyes (artificial coloring)

Gushers come in several different colors to signify their different flavors. Natural food colorings are typically vegan because they come from plant sources like fruits and vegetables like beet juice or spinach powder. However, artificial coloring used in processed foods like Gushers can be an issue for some vegans.

Strict vegans might choose to avoid artificial colors because they’re tested on animals. Carmine is a type of food coloring made from beetles. It’s also known as “natural red 4”. However, most red coloring used in processed foods including Gushers is red dye #40. Red dye #40/red 40 is made from petroleum and therefore is vegan.

Nutritional Information for Gushers

Gushers are available in several flavors and a variety pack, but each flavor is vegan. Some of the flavors of Gushers are no longer made, such as Hawaiian Punch.

Gushers use to be made with partially hydrogenated oil, which is a source of trans fat. Trans fats are added to processed foods and are detrimental to health. The Food and Drug Administration banned the use of trans fats in 2015, which is why Gushers no longer contain partially hydrogenated oils.

Strawberry Splash

Strawberry Splash is available on its own or as part of a variety pack with Tropical Flavor.

Ingredients:

  • Sugar
  • Corn Syrup
  • Dried Corn Syrup
  • Pear Puree Concentrate
  • Modified Corn Starch
  • Fructose
  • Maltodextrin
  • Palm Oil
  • Contains 2% or less of: Cottonseed Oil, Glycerin, Grape Juice Concentrate, Carrageenan, Citric Acid, Monoglycerides, Sodium Citrate, Malic Acid, Vitamin C (ascorbic acid), Natural Flavor, Potassium Citrate, Agar-Agar, Red 40, Xanthan Gum.

Nutrition facts (per one 23 g pouch):

  • Calories: 80
  • Total Fat: 1 g
  • Saturated fat: 0.5 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 18 g
  • Total sugars: 10 g
  • Added sugars: 9 g
  • Protein: 0 g
  • Vitamin C: 10% DV

Tropical Flavor

Tropical Flavor is available on its own or as part of a variety pack with Strawberry Splash.

Ingredients:

  • Sugar
  • Corn Syrup
  • Dried Corn Syrup
  • Pear Puree Concentrate
  • Modified Corn Starch
  • Fructose
  • Maltodextrin
  • Palm Oil
  • Contains 2% of less of: Cottonseed Oil, Glycerin, Grape Juice Concentrate, Carrageenan, Citric Acid, Monoglycerides, Sodium Citrate, Malic Acid, Vitamin C (ascorbic acid), Natural Flavor, Potassium Citrate, Agar-Agar, Xanthan Gum, Color (red 40, blue 1, yellow 5 & 6).

Nutrition facts (per one 23 g pouch):

  • Calories: 80
  • Total Fat: 1 g
  • Saturated fat: 0.5 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 18 g
  • Total sugars: 10 g
  • Added sugars: 9 g
  • Protein: 0 g
  • Vitamin C: 10% DV

Super Sour

Ingredients:

  • Sugar
  • Corn Syrup
  • Dried Corn Syrup
  • Pear Puree Concentrate
  • Modified Corn Starch
  • Fructose
  • Maltodextrin
  • Palm Oil
  • Contains 2% Or Less Of: Citric Acid, Cottonseed Oil, Glycerin, Carrageenan, White Grape Juice Concentrate, Monoglycerides, Sodium Citrate, Malic Acid, Potassium Citrate, Vitamin C (ascorbic Acid), Dextrose, Agar-agar, Natural Flavor, Xanthan Gum, Color (red 40, Blue 1, & Yellow 5).

Nutrition facts (per one 23 g pouch):

  • Calories: 80
  • Total Fat: 1 g
  • Saturated fat: 0.5 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 18 g
  • Total sugars: 10 g
  • Added sugars: 9 g
  • Protein: 0 g
  • Vitamin C: 10% DV

Flavor Mixers

Ingredients:

  • Sugar
  • Corn Syrup
  • Dried Corn Syrup
  • Pear Puree Concentrate
  • Modified Corn Starch
  • Fructose
  • Maltodextrin
  • Palm Oil
  • Contains 2% Or Less Of: Citric Acid, Cottonseed Oil, Glycerin, Carrageenan, White Grape Juice Concentrate, Monoglycerides, Sodium Citrate, Malic Acid, Potassium Citrate, Vitamin C (ascorbic Acid), Dextrose, Agar-agar, Natural Flavor, Xanthan Gum, Color (red 40, Yellow 6).

Nutrition facts (per 12 pieces):

  • Calories: 110
  • Total Fat: 1.5
  • Saturated fat: 1 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 25 g
  • Total sugars: 14 g
  • Added sugars: 13 g
  • Protein: 0 g
  • Vitamin C: 10% DV

Mouth Mixers

Ingredients:

  • Sugar
  • Corn Syrup
  • Dried Corn Syrup
  • Pear Puree Concentrate
  • Modified Corn Starch
  • Fructose
  • Maltodextrin
  • Palm Oil
  • Contains 2% Or Less Of: Citric Acid, Cottonseed Oil, Glycerin, Carrageenan, White Grape Juice Concentrate, Monoglycerides, Sodium Citrate, Malic Acid, Potassium Citrate, Vitamin C (ascorbic Acid), Dextrose, Agar-agar, Natural Flavor, Color (blue 1, yellow 5, red 40), Xanthan Gum.

Nutrition facts (per one 23 g pouch):

  • Calories: 80
  • Total Fat: 1 g
  • Saturated fat: 0.5 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 18 g
  • Total sugars: 10 g
  • Added sugars: 9 g
  • Protein: 0 g
  • Vitamin C: 10% DV

Healthier Vegan Alternatives to Gushers

Gushers have multiple sources of added sugar in each flavor. Fruit snacks are higher in sugar and lower in fiber than whole fruit, no matter what kind you choose. Gushers also have artificial colors, thickeners, and fats added to improve mouthfeel and texture.

While it’s not always the case, foods with fewer ingredients can be healthier because it means they’re less processed. There are some healthier alternatives than Gushers to consider that don’t have added sugar, only natural sugar from real fruit.

BEAR Real Fruit Snack Rolls

BEAR Real Fruit Snack Rolls - Gluten Free, Vegan, and Non-GMO - Strawberry – 12 Pack (2 Rolls Per Pack) - Healthy School And Lunch Snacks For Kids And Adults These fruit snack rolls are certified vegan, gluten-free, nut-free, kosher, and non-GMO verified. They don’t contain any added sugar or artificial colors. They even contain some dietary fiber since they are made of real fruit and not fruit puree.

Ingredients:

  • Apples
  • Pears
  • Strawberries
  • Black Carrot Extract

Nutrition facts (per one 20 g pack)

  • Calories: 50
  • Total Fat: 0 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 13 g
  • Total sugars: 8 g
  • Added sugars: 0 g
  • Dietary fiber: 2 g
  • Protein: 0 g

Stretch Island Organic Fruit Strip

Stretch Island Fruit Leather Snacks Variety Pack, Cherry, apple, strawberry, apricot, grape, respberry, (Pack of 48) Stretch Island fruit leather strips are vegan and come in a variety of flavors. These fruit strips are free of artificial flavors and colors, contain real fruit puree and juice, and don’t have any added sugar.

Ingredients:

  • Apple Puree Concentrate
  • Pear Puree Concentrate
  • Strawberry Puree
  • Lemon Juice Concentrate
  • Strawberry Juice Concentrate
  • Other Natural Flavors.

Nutrition facts (per one 14 gram strip)

  • Calories: 50
  • Total Fat: 0 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 12 g
  • Total sugars: 9 g
  • Added sugars: 0 g
  • Dietary fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 0 g

That’s It. Fruit Bar

That's it Fruit Bars Snack Gift Box { 20 Pack }100% All Natural, Gluten-Free, Vegan, Low Carb Snacks - Healthy Fruit Snacks Bulk Variety Pack(Strawberry, Mango, Blueberries, Cherries & Fig Bars) Similar to the BEAR fruit snack rolls, That’s it. brand fruit bars contain real fruit, not purees or juice concentrates. They’re a good source of fiber, which is rare to find in most commercial/processed fruit snacks. There are several flavors to choose from and are all free from the top 12 most common food allergens.

Ingredients (Apple + Banana flavor):

  • Apples
  • Bananas

Nutrition facts (per one 35 g bar)

  • Calories: 100
  • Total Fat: 0 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 28 g
  • Total sugars: 22 g
  • Added sugars: 0 g
  • Dietary fiber: 4 g
  • Protein: 1 g

Summary

Fruit Gushers, or “Gushers” for short, are kind of fruit-flavored snack/candy. They are unique compared to most fruit snacks because they have a juicy-filled center. Gushers are vegan because they don’t contain animal products and are free of gelatin.

Fruit snacks like Gushers are a type of candy, even though they can contain real fruit juices. Gushers are a source of added sugar, which should be limited due to their potential negative health effects when eaten in large amounts.

If you’re looking for healthy vegan alternatives to Gushers, look for fruit bars that contain only fruit or fruit purees. Healthy Gusher alternatives should be free of added sugar, artificial colors, and have a simple ingredient list. Examples of healthy alternatives include BEAR Real Fruit Rolls, Stretch Island Organic Fruit Strips, and That’s it. Fruit Bars.

Related Questions

Are Gushers gluten-free?

Gushers are gluten-free. They contain corn starch and maltodextrin, but no ingredients from gluten-containing grains.

Are Gushers candy?

Even though they have “fruit” in their name, Gushers are similar to candy. Their official description is “fruit flavored snacks”. However, they contain added sugar similar to other types of candy; even though they aren’t called candy, they are similar to candy nutrition-wise.

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Diana Gariglio-Clelland

Diana Gariglio-Clelland is a Registered Dietitian and Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist. She obtained her Bachelor's in Nutrition from the University of Idaho in 2012 and has worked in clinical, community, and primary care nutrition settings. She currently works as a freelancer on various health- and nutrition-related projects.

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