Shari’s Berries are fresh chocolate-covered strawberries delivered right to your front door. They are perfect for birthdays, anniversaries, holidays, or any special occasion. Now, we know that Shari Berries are not dairy-free, but are they gluten-free?
Shari’s Chocolate Strawberries aren’t certified gluten-free. The chocolate-dipped strawberries with toffee crumbles are not gluten-free because they contain wheat flour. The best healthier alternatives to Shari’s Berries that are also gluten-free are Tru Fru Strawberries Dark Chocolate, Tru Fru Strawberries Milk Chocolate, Nutty & Fruity Dark Chocolate Covered Strawberries, and Stoneridge Orchards Strawberries Dipped In Dark Chocolate.
In this article, we will take a further look at Shari’s berries, nutritional facts, and some healthier alternatives. Let’s get to dipping.
Contents
What are Shari’s Berries?
Shari Fitzpatrick, also known as an author, speaker, and creative business innovator, is the founder of Shari’s Berries. As a little girl, Shari’s father would plant her a strawberry patch each summer, and that sparked her love for strawberries. Shari took her passion and hobby to work creating chocolate-covered strawberries and started her business in 1989.
Today, Shari’s Berries are exclusively available online only and shipped nationwide. The website also offers berry subscriptions where you can subscribe and receive delicious berries each month.
What is Gluten?
Gluten is the name for the type of proteins that are found in wheat, rye, and barley. Gluten acts as a glue for foods to help them maintain their shape and hold them together. Some popular foods that contain wheat are listed below.
- Breads
- Baked Goods
- Soups
- Pasta
- Cereals
- Sauces
- Salad Dressings
- Malt
- Foor Coloring
- Beer
- Brewer’s Yeast
If you follow a gluten-free diet, it is common knowledge to avoid wheat, but gluten can be hidden in many processed foods, so it’s always important to check your label. If you have gluten sensitivity, then you can experience physical symptoms if it is consumed. I will list some signs to look for here.
- Fatigue
- Diarrhea and/or Constipation
- Skin Reactions (Psoriasis)
- Depression and Anxiety
- Unexplained Weight Loss
- Autoimmune Disorders (Celiac Disease)
- Joint and Muscle Pain
- Leg and Arm Numbness
- Bloating
- Headaches
- Stomach Pains
- Brain Fog
Shari Berries Ambiguity & Potential Cross-Contamination
Shari’s Berries website does not provide a listing of ingredients within the products. Due to some of the chocolate-covered strawberries containing additional toppings that are not gluten-free, a high risk of cross-contamination is possible.
We highly recommend contacting the company if you have any allergies to verify any cross-contamination risk.
What are the Health Benefits of Dark Chocolate?
Dark chocolate dates back to as far as 2000 BC. Dark chocolate is made out of cocoa solids, cocoa butter, and sugar. At the same time, lower-quality chocolates, like milk chocolate, can contain butterfat, vegetable oils, and artificial flavors and ingredients.
As mentioned, dark chocolate contains a high cocoa content that offers beneficial flavanols The antioxidants in dark chocolate can potentially lower blood pressure and reduce the risk of heart disease.
Although it has health benefits, please note, dark chocolate is high in calories, so you should only consume it in moderation. If you consume too much dark chocolate, it can cause weight gain.
Are Shari’s Berries Healthy?
Shari’s Berries are not the healthiest snack option but can be enjoyed in moderation. This delicious chocolate-covered strawberry contains up to 20 grams of sugar per berry in some flavors. If you are going to get any, we recommend choosing dark chocolate.
Dark chocolate has some added health benefits, such as being full of antioxidants, helping produce the feel-good hormone serotonin, and increasing blood flow to the brain.
Shari’s Berries Nutritional Facts
Fresh Gourmet Dipped Strawberries
Nutritional Facts (Per 1 Berry):
- 100 Calories
- 6 g Total Fat
- 4.5 g Saturated Fat
- 15 mg Sodium
- 13 g Total Carbohydrates
- 1 g Dietary Fiber
- 11 g Sugars
- 1 g Protein
Fresh Gourmet Dipped Swizzle Strawberries
Nutritional Facts (Per 1 Berry):
- 120 Calories
- 6 g Total Fat
- 5 g Saturated Fat
- 15 mg Sodium
- 16 g Total Carbohydrates
- 1 g Dietary Fiber
- 14 g Sugars
- 1 g Protein
Gourmet Dipped Fancy Strawberries
Nutritional Facts (Per 1 Berry):
- 170 Calories
- 9 g Total Fat
- 2 g Saturated Fat
- 10 mg Sodium
- 22 g Total Carbohydrates
- 2 g Dietary Fiber
- 19 g Sugars
- 2 g Protein
Healthy Alternatives to Sherri’s Berries
Shari’s Berries are superb taste-wise, but they do not offer many health benefits. When you add chocolate to a healthy berry that contains added sugars and artificial ingredients, it does not make it the best option. We have found our favorite alternatives that are gluten-free and made with clean ingredients.
Tru Fru Strawberries Dark Chocolate
Tru Fru Strawberries in dark chocolate are made with clean ingredients. They are labeled gluten-free and Non-GMO. This product does not contain any dairy or soy.
According to the Tru Fru website, the product rates at 4.8 out of 5 stars. It is described as a great product at a great price.
Ingredients:
- Dark Chocolate
- Cane Sugar
- Chocolate Liquor
- Cocoa Butter
- Milk Fat
- Soy Lecithin
- Strawberries
- Tapioca
- Dextrin
- Confectioners Glaze
Nutritional Facts (Per ¼ cup):
- 150 Calories
- 10 g Total Fat
- 6 g Saturated Fat
- 0 mg Sodium
- 17 g Total Carbohydrates
- 2 g Dietary Fiber
- 14 g Total Sugars
- 2 g Protein
Tru Fru Strawberries in White and Milk Chocolate
Tru Fru Strawberries in white and milk chocolate are hyper-chilled and double dipped in white and milk chocolate, creating a delicious blend. They are also labeled as gluten-free and Non-GMO, making them a great alternative to Shari’s Berries.
Ingredients:
- Strawberries
- Milk Chocolate
- Cane Sugar
- Cocoa Butter
- Milk
- Chocolate Liquor
- Soy Lecithin
- Vanilla
- White Chocolate
- Whole Milk Powder
Nutritional Facts (Per 1 oz):
- 90 Calories
- 5 g Total Fat
- 3 g Saturated Fat
- 15 mg Sodium
- 10 g Total Carbohydrates
- 0 g Dietary Fiber
- 9 g Total Sugars
- 1 g Protein
Nutty & Fruity Dark Chocolate Covered Strawberries
Made in the USA, Nutty & Fruity dark chocolate-covered strawberries are gluten-free and contain no artificial flavors or colors. They guarantee to use the highest-quality and most exotic fruit around the globe. They are not dairy-free, so you will want to avoid this product if you have a dairy intolerance.
Ingredients:
- Dried Strawberries
- Cane Sugar
- Sulfur Dioxide
- Dark Chocolate
- Unsweetened Chocolate
- Cocoa Butter
- Whole Milk Powder
- Butter Fat
- Cocoa Powder Processed With Alkali
- Soy Lecithin
- Salt
- Natural Flavor
Nutritional Facts (Per 1 oz):
- 120 Calories
- 4.5 g Total Fat
- 3 g Saturated Fat
- 45 mg Sodium
- 20 g Total Carbohydrates
- 1 g Dietary Fiber
- 16 g Sugars
- 1 g Protein
Stoneridge Orchards Strawberries Dipped in Dark Chocolate
Also made here in the USA, Stoneridge Orchards promises to offer premium dark chocolate and fruits. They are verified Non-GMO and made with natural flavors. Stoneridge products can be found in your local grocery stores at a reasonable price.
Ingredients:
- Dried Strawberries
- Cane Sugar
- Ascorbic Acid
- Sunflower Oil
- Dark Chocolate
- Chocolate Liquor
- Cocoa Butter
- Soy Lecithin
- Vanilla
- Natural Flavor
- Tapioca Dextrin
- Confectioners Glaze
Nutritional Facts (Per 1 oz):
- 130 Calories
- 6 g Total Fat
- 3.5 g Saturated Fat
- 0 mg Sodium
- 20 g Total Carbohydrates
- 2 g Dietary Fiber
- 15 g Sugars
- 1 g Protein
Final Thoughts
Shari’s chocolate-covered strawberries are delicious and a fan favorite! They may be perfect special treat or any occasion, like your birthday or Valentine’s day, but if you are looking for a delightful treat that you can consume regularly, try one of the healthy alternatives we talked about today.
Additionally, it is not clear if these are gluten-free. It seems that cross-contamination is highly likely, and the Shari’s Berries website does not list out the ingredients. If you have celiac or gluten-intolerance, it may be best to err on the side of caution. Please note that you will need to definitely avoid the strawberries topped with additional toppings, like toffee. These toppings are not gluten-free and will not fit your diet needs.
The next time you want to try something new, check out one of the healthy alternatives to Shari’s berries; they are sure to not disappoint.
I hope you enjoyed this article, and it helps you understand that you have a variety of choices when it comes to yummy treats. There is not a one size fits all diet, so enjoy your indulgent treats in moderation and choose wisely.
Related Questions
Is Shari’s Berries Vegan?
No, Shari’s Berries are not considered vegan because they use dairy products. Dairy products are byproducts of animals, making them not vegan-friendly.
Are Shari’s Berries Keto-Friendly?
Most fruits are considered too high in carbohydrates for you to include in a ketogenic diet, but berries are usually the exception. Berries are typically low in carbohydrates and high in fiber. But Shari’s berries are covered in chocolate, adding additional carbohydrates, so we do not recommend them for a keto diet.
How Long Do Shari’s Berries Stay Fresh?
According to the website, each berry is carefully packaged with ice packs to keep the fruit sweet and cool. Then the berries are express shipped to you, avoiding sitting in a truck. When the berries arrive and you open the package, they will stay fresh for up to 48 hours in the refrigerator.
Can Shari’s Berries Be Frozen?
Shari’s Berries does not recommend freezing your chocolate-covered strawberries. However, if you choose to do so, you should eat the strawberries frozen, not thawed. When frozen strawberries begin to defrost, they will become mushy and not be the same quality as if you had eaten them fresh.