A candy reminiscent of childhood for most 90s kids, Starburst is an all-American treat. These square-shaped, fruity chews are enjoyed by many, but for those seeking plant-based, vegan, or vegetarian options, Starburst is a gray area. We’re here to shed some light: is Starburst vegan?
Starburst is not vegan. This is because Starburst contains gelatin which is derived from cows or pigs. This ingredient is commonly used to create that gummy, chewy texture of candy. Not only is Starburst not vegan, it also contains high amounts of sugar and saturated fat. The best healthier vegan alternative to Starburst is Smart Sweet Smart Chews.
In this article, we will discuss the nutritional information of Starburst and why it isn’t healthy. We will then highlight healthier and vegan alternatives to Starburst. Let’s dig in!
Contents
Why Aren’t Starburst Healthy?
Added Sugar
The American Heart Association recommends no more than 25 grams of added sugars a day for women (6 teaspoons) and no more than 38 grams for men (9 teaspoons).
With 22 grams of sugar per 8-piece serving, Starburst candy contains 88% of the recommended daily intake of added sugars for women and 58% for men. That is if we stick with the serving size of only 8 pieces.
Saturated Fat
The 2015-2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends limiting saturated fats to no more than 20% of our total calories per day. This means if someone consumes 2000 calories a day, roughly 200 calories or less should come from saturated fats.
This adds up to around 22 grams per day. A single serving of Starburst candy contains about 15% of your daily intake for saturated fats. If consuming an entire package of Starburst candy, which is about 2.5 servings, this can add up to 55 grams of sugar and 7.5 grams of saturated fat.
No Nutritional Value
With minimal to no vitamins and minerals present and high amounts of sugar and saturated fats, Starburst are a treat encouraged in moderation only.
Starburst Candy Nutrition Facts
When reaching for candy, most of us know we aren’t going to be grabbing for something super nutritious. Often candy is loaded with added sugars, oils and other fats and Starburst are no exception.
A serving size of these fruity candies is about 8 chews. Each serving is about 160 calories, 3 grams of fat (saturated), 0 grams of protein or fiber and a whopping 22 grams of added sugars.
At 20 calories per tiny square, these sweet treats can add up fast.
Nutrition by Variety
Starburst contains a variety of different flavors and products such as Tropical fruit smoothie, Sour, FaveReds, Very Berry, Superfruit, Summer Blast, and Watermelon flavors. The nutrition content of these different varieties does not differ significantly despite the flavor difference.
Other Starburst products include Starburst Jelly Beans, Starburst Minis, Starburst GummiBursts, and Starbursts Gummies.
Although nutrition facts vary for each of these products, generally speaking, they are all very similar in their carbohydrates and added sugar content.
Starburst Jelly Beans
Ingredients:
- Sugar
- Corn syrup
- Modified corn starch
- Citric acid
- Acacia
- Apple juice from concentrate
- Natural and artificial flavors
- Sodium citrate
- Mineral oil
- Carnauba wax
- Yellow 5
- Red 40
- Yellow 6
- Blue 1
- Titanium dioxide
- Confectioner’s glaze
Nutrition Facts (per 20 pieces):
- 100 calories
- 0 fat
- 5mg of sodium
- 0g of protein
- 25g of carbs
- 20g of added sugars
Starburst Minis
Ingredients:
- Sugar
- Corn syrup
- Palm oil
- Citric acid
- Sodium citrate
- Pectin
- Apple juice from concentrate
- Mono and diglycerides
- Confectioner’s glaze
- Natural and artificial colors: yellow 6, red 40, yellow 5, blue 1)
- Carnauba wax
Nutrition Facts (per 19 pieces):
- 110 calories
- 1g of fat
- 35mg of sodium
- 0g of protein
- 25g of carbs
- 19g of added sugars
Starburst GummiBursts
Ingredients:
- Sugar
- Apple juice from concentrate
- Gelatin
- Food starch-modified
- Citric acid
- Pectin
- Coconut oil
- Sodium citrate
- Artificial and natural flavors
- Artificial colors
Nutrition Facts (per 9 pieces):
- 130 calories
- 0 fat
- 25mg of sodium
- 2g of protein
- 31g of carbs
- 22g of added sugars
Starbursts Gummies
Ingredients:
- Corn syrup
- Sugar
- Modified corn starch
- Water
- Gelatin
- Fumaric acid
- Lactic acid
- Citric acid
- Calcium lactate
- Natural and artificial flavors
- Red 40
- Yellow 5
- Blue 1
Nutrition Facts (per 7 pieces):
- 90 calories
- 0 fat and sodium
- Less than 1g of protein
- 23g of carbs
- 19g of added sugars
Healthiest Vegan Alternatives to Starburst
Smart Sweet Sweet Chews
Smart Sweet Sweet Chews are a plant-based alternative to Starburst that are also much lower in sugar. Free of gelatin and sweetened with monk fruit, these fruity treats contain only 3g of total sugar per 120-calorie serving.
They also contain an impressive amount of fiber, at 10g per serving. Compared to most fruit chews that contain little to no fiber, this is an unexpected bonus.
Other Vegan Alternatives to Starburst
For those looking for a vegan alternative to Starburst, consider these options. Remember though, vegan does not always equal healthy.
Mamba Fruit Chews
Closest in taste to Starburst but vegan and vegetarian-friendly, Mamba fruit chews are a great alternative. Similar shape and individually wrapped, this is arguably the closest to the real thing.
Mamba fruit chews are also a lot lower in sugar than Starburst. With 13 grams of sugar per serving, about 6 chews, compared to 22 grams of sugar per serving of Starburst.
Airheads Mini Taffy bars
Comparable in shape and texture as well as flavor, Airheads mini taffy bars are another close alternative to Starburst. Similar in sugar content with artificial flavors, these candies may be vegan friendly, but they are not the most nutritious option out there.
Wholesome Organic Fruit Chews
For those looking for a vegan candy similar to Starburst but on the healthier side, consider Wholesome Organic fruit chews. Certified organic, vegan, and gluten-free with no artificial colors, these fruit chews will satisfy that sweet craving.
These gummies are naturally flavored and even contain less sugar than Starburst candies do with 18 grams of sugar per serving compared to 22 grams of sugar per serving in Starburst candies.
These nautical themed gummies are a delightful alternative to Starburst that are not only vegan friendly but are also gluten-free.
However, aside from being free of animal products and gluten, they are not much of a nutritional improvement. With 39g of carbohydrates and 27g of sugar per 9-piece serving, these gummies pack a lot of sweet.
Trujoy Organic Fruit Chews
Gluten-free, vegan, and free of common allergens, Trujoy Organic fruit chews are another great alternative to Starburst that are on the healthier side. These chews are free of corn syrup and are GMO-free. However, an 8-piece serving size contains 34g of carbohydrates, of which 21g are sugars.
Related Questions
Are Starburst Jelly Beans Vegan?
Although Starburst jelly beans do not contain gelatin, they may not necessarily be vegan friendly. Starburst jelly beans contain confectioner’s glaze. This is what gives them the shiny outer appearance. However, confectioner’s glaze is made from Shellac which is composed of hardened lac bug secretions.
Are Starburst Gluten Free?
Currently, Starburst candies are gluten-free in the United States. However, the same is not true for all countries. In fact, Starburst candies in Australia and the United Kingdom are not gluten-free. This is because they contain glucose syrup and water thickener that are products of wheat. Always be sure to check the food label to make sure there are no gluten-containing ingredients as changes can be made at any time by the manufacturer.
Are Starburst all the Same Flavor?
Some may argue that Starburst all taste the same but in fact there are different flavors. On the package of standard Starburst, you will find a list of flavors that include cherry, orange, strawberry, and lemon. Starburst also has a variety of flavor options aside from original such as Tropical, Sour, FaveReds, Very Berry and Superfruit flavor.