Everyone’s probably familiar with the Toblerone chocolate bars and their distinctive triangular shape as they have been around since 1908. We can thank Theodor Tobler and his cousin Emil Baumann for this lovely addition to our candy shelves. Another interesting fact— the Toblerone chocolate factory was where part of the classic Charlie and the Chocolate Factory was filmed. So, the question begs, are these tasty morsels gluten free?
Toblerone is gluten free. A peak at the ingredients list on any of their flavors will show that there is nothing gluten about them. There are no wheat products or wheat-containing additives whatsoever. However, Toblerone is not certified gluten free. The best gluten free and healthier alternatives include Hu Almond Butter Dark Chocolate Bar and Lily’s Extra Dark Chocolate Bar.
Let’s talk more about this timeless classic. Are there any health benefits to it? What are healthier options? Let’s dig in!
Contents
History of Toblerone
As mentioned above, Toblerone chocolate was developed over a century ago in Bern, Switzerland by Tobler and Baumann. The team decided to create their chocolate in the shape of a triangle and the question remains why.
Some suggest it was to represent the towering, majestic Alps famous to their country. Others suggest it has something to do with a pyramid shape known to represent dancers at a music hall called the Folies Bergère. Still others think it was simply an attempt to stand out from the crowd of other chocolate creators.
Regardless, Toblerone became a great success and remains to be so to this very day. Now, however, the brand is owned by a company out of Chicago called Mondelez International and a greater variety of options are available.
A Variety of Flavors
Today, there are more flavors on the market than when this brand of chocolate was first created and they tend to change over time. Currently, they include the following:
- White Chocolate
- Milk Chocolate
- Dark Chocolate
- Crunchy Salted Caramelized Almond
A Look at the Ingredients
Let’s take a closer look at the possible health properties of some of the ingredients. Keep in mind, not all the flavors contain all the ingredients listed below. This is just a general list. We’ll Start with everyone’s favorite: Sugar.
1. Sugar
There aren’t too many benefits to sugar. It can provide a mood boost, can provide caloric energy if you’re in a crunch, and tastes good of course. Other than that, the long-term effects of sugar can be detrimental to one’s health. Diabetes, weight gain, and tooth decay are common problems.
2. Milk
The food labels of Toblerone do not mention which type of milk is being used in any of the products. There are benefits regardless of which kind is being used.
There are several kinds of cow’s milk available today such as whole milk, skim milk, 1%, and 2%. Aside from skim milk, all of them contain protein, fat, and carbohydrates important to overall health. Skim milk, as you might presume, doesn’t contain fat.
Any milk contains calcium, magnesium, potassium, and B vitamins among other vitamins and minerals which are all important to the body.
3. The Chocolates
Different flavors of Toblerone products contain different types of chocolate including white chocolate, milk chocolate, and dark chocolate.
Dark chocolate is the best option as it contains the highest percentage of cocoa which is where the health benefits are. Dark chocolate contains minerals such as iron, copper, zinc, magnesium, and potassium.
Additionally, it is higher in fiber and provides antioxidants to the body. One Toblerone bar has 3 grams of fiber.
4. Vanillin
Toblerone chocolate contains vanillin. Vanillin is essentially an artificial vanilla flavor synthesized in a lab from a variety of chemicals. It may smell and taste like pure vanilla, but it certainly doesn’t have the health benefits of the real stuff.
5. Honey
Honey has antioxidants and can help a cough in a hurry. It’s suggested that it may also help to lower levels of cholesterol and triglycerides. Overall, however, honey is composed of mostly sugar so it may have the same diabetic, weight gain, and tooth decay effects as table sugar.
6. Almonds
Almonds are a healthy component of the Toblerone chocolate bars. They offer healthy fat and protein as well as vitamin E, manganese, magnesium, and a decent amount of fiber to aid in digestion.
7. Egg Whites
Another healthier ingredient in the Toblerone chocolates is egg white. They’re mainly composed of just protein which aids in muscle growth.
8. Invert Sugar
Invert sugar, what in the world is it? Well, it’s a syrup made from the simple sugar sucrose after a chemical process. You can expect it to have the same health effects as table sugar. There are little to no health benefits.
Toblerone Nutrition Facts
The nutrition values vary for the different flavors of Toblerone chocolate. You can find the facts following.
Milk Chocolate
The nutrition facts do little to suggest that the Toblerone chocolates are a healthy candy option. They are high in fat, carbohydrates, and calories, low in protein and fiber, and provide very little of the vitamins and minerals needed in the human diet each day.
Ingredients:
- Sugar
- Milk
- Cocoa Butter
- Chocolate
- Milkfat
- Soy Lecithin
- Vanillin
- Honey
- Almonds
- Egg White
- Invert Sugar
Nutrition Facts (per 33 gram serving):
- Calories: 180
- Total Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Cholesterol: 10mg
- Sodium: 15mg
- Total Carbohydrate: 21g
- Dietary Fiber: <1g
- Total Sugars: 20g
- Protein: 2g
- Vitamin A: 0% DV
- Calcium: 6% DV
- Iron: 4% DV
- Vitamin C: 0%
White Chocolate
Ingredients:
- Sugar
- Milk
- Cocoa Butter
- Vanillin
- Honey
- Almonds
- Egg Whites
- Invert Sugar
Nutrition Facts (per 33 gram serving):
- Calories: 180
- Total Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Cholesterol: 5mg
- Sodium: 30mg
- Total Carbohydrate: 20g
- Dietary Fiber: 0g
- Total Sugar: 20g
- Protein: 2g
- Vitamin A: 0% DV
- Calcium: 8% DV
- Iron: 0% DV
- Vitamin C: 0% DV
Dark Chocolate
Ingredients:
- Chocolate
- Sugar
- Milkfat
- Cocoa Butter
- Soy Lecithin
- Honey
- Almonds
- Invert Sugar
- Egg Whites
Nutrition Facts (per 33 gram serving):
- Calories: 180
- Total Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Cholesterol: <5mg
- Sodium: 0mg
- Total Carbohydrate: 20g
- Dietary Fiber: 3g
- Total Sugar: 15g
- Protein: 2g
- Vitamin A: 0% DV
- Calcium: 0% DV
- Iron: 10% DV
- Vitamin C: 0% DV
Crunchy Salted Caramelized Almond
Ingredients:
- Chocolate
- Sugar
- Milkfat
- Cocoa Butter
- Soy Lecithin
- Vanillin
- Honey
- Almonds
- Egg Whites
- Invert Sugar
- Glucose Syrup
- Salt
Nutrition Facts (per 33 gram serving):
- Calories: 180
- Total Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Cholesterol: 5mg
- Sodium: 55mg
- Total Carbohydrate: 20g
- Dietary Fiber: 1g
- Total Sugar: 18g
- Protein: 2g
- Vitamin A: 0% DV
- Calcium: 6% DV
- Iron: 4% DV
- Vitamin C: 0% DV
A Few Healthier, Gluten-Free Alternatives
Lily’s Extra Dark Chocolate Bar
This chocolate bar is composed of 70% cocoa and contains no sugar but is sweetened with stevia. It’s gluten free and non-GMO verified. It’s high in fiber due to its more natural ingredients and keto-friendly due to its low carbohydrate count.
Ingredients:
- Sugar
- Milk
- Cocoa Butter
- Vanillin
- Honey
- Almonds
- Egg Whites
- Invert Sugar
Nutrition Facts (30 gram serving):
- Calories: 130
- Total Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
- Sodium: 0mg
- Total Carbohydrate: 15g
- Dietary Fiber: 8g
- Total Sugar: 0g
- Erythritol: 5g
- Protein: 3g
- Vitamin D: 0% DV
- Calcium: 0% DV
- Iron: 20% DV
- Potassium: 4% DV
Hu Almond Butter + Puffed Quinoa Dark Chocolate Bar
Hu Chocolate has a logo that says it all: “No Weird Ingredients Ever”. Nearly all the ingredients are organic and natural.
Ingredients:
- Organic Cacao
- Organic Unrefined Coconut Sugar
- Almond
- Organic Fair-Trade Cocoa Butter
- Organic Quinoa
Nutrition Facts (per ½ bar serving):
- Calories: 180
- Total Fat: 13g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
- Sodium: 15mg
- Total Carbohydrate: 13g
- Dietary Fiber: 2g
- Total Sugar: 8g
- Protein: 3g
- Vitamin D: 6% DV
- Calcium: 4% DV
- Iron: 20% DV
- Potassium: 4% DV
Raaka Pink Sea Salt Dark Chocolate Bar
This is another chocolate bar with a high cacao content. 71% to be exact. You can surely count on a good dose of antioxidants.
Ingredients:
- Organic Cacao Beans
- Organic Cane Sugar
- Organic Maple Sugar
- Organic Cacao Butter
- Peruvian Pink Sea Salt
Nutrition Facts (per ½ bar serving):
- Calories: 133
- Total Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
- Sodium: 73mg
- Total Carbohydrate: 12g
- Dietary Fiber: 3g
- Total Sugar: 9g
- Protein: 2g
- Vitamin D: 0% DV
- Calcium: 1% DV
- Iron: 4% DV
- Potassium: 2% DV
Summary
Toblerone is a world-renowned, classic, Swiss chocolate that has withstood the ages. It has a triangular shape and flavor that a person can’t forget, and it comes in a variety of flavors. It is certainly a gluten free option.
If the goal is to be healthier, there are numerous other options out there as well. Many of them are low in sugar and fat while high in fiber and antioxidants. Some really focus on the environmental side of things and strive toward organic and non-GMO ingredients.
Related Questions
Where is Toblerone Sold?
You can find Toblerone in 122 separate countries. From a more local perspective, you can find it at just about any grocery or convenience store. You can even find it online.
Is Toblerone Vegan?
Toblerone is not vegan. It contains egg whites, milk products, and honey.
Is Toblerone Kosher?
Toblerone is certified as kosher.