The importance of having alternatives when dealing with food allergies and sensitivities cannot be emphasized enough. First, having alternatives makes it easier to stick to a gluten- and dairy-free diet; second, they reduce the likelihood that you stray from your plan; and third, substitutions are convenient when you’re pressed for time. Today, I will start a series of substitutes you can find for your favorite foods called, if you’re craving this, here’s the gluten- and dairy-free version. And I will begin with a favorite: chocolates!

If you feel that chocolate makes you happy, it’s not your imagination. Chocolate makes us happy by releasing the feel-good hormones serotonin and dopamine. Who can resist the combination of heavenly flavor and mood booster?

Not only are there many allergy-friendly chocolate substitutes, but many big brands now have gluten- and dairy-free versions of their famous chocolates. For example, Lindt, Hershey’s, and Reese’s have plant-based versions of their chocolate bars. Lucky for us, they taste like the original versions.

In addition, Go Max Go Foods offers gluten- and dairy-free versions of popular candy bars like Almond Joy, Milky Way, and Snickers. However, their 2-Fer bar (similar to Twix) is not on the list because of the wheat-based cookie.

Undoubtedly, peanut butter and chocolate taste so good together. Fortunately, there are five versions of Reese’s peanut butter cups, including Reese’s plant-based cups.

But what if you’re craving Nutella, chocolate pudding, or a cream-filled chocolate cupcake? Well, don’t worry; I’ve got you covered—there are substitutes for those, too. See the list and pictures below for substitutes for your favorite foods and brands.

By far, this is not an extensive list but gives you an idea of how many substitutes there are and where to start. I hope it also introduces you to brands you may not have heard of before.

If You’re Craving This, Here’s the Gluten- and Dairy-Free Version

If You’re Craving This	Here’s the Gluten- and Dairy-Free Version
Lindt chocolates	Lindt oat milk chocolate bar and truffles
Hershey’s and Cadbury chocolate bars	Hershey’s plant-based chocolate bar Enjoy Life chocolate bar Trader Joe’s oat milk chocolate bar No Whey! Milkless chocolate bar
Nestle Crunch	Go Max Go Snap! No Whey! Milkless Crunchy
M&Ms	No Whey! Choco No No’s
Hershey’s Kisses	No Whey! Smooches
Snickers	Go Max Go Jokerz
Almond Joy	Go Max Go Mahalo
Milky Way	Go Max Go Buccaneer
Twix	No Whey! No Tricks
Reese’s peanut butter cup	Reese’s plant-based peanut butter cups Justin’s peanut butter cups   No Whey! Pea Not Cups Go Max Go Cleo’s peanut butter cups For Snackers Only peanut butter bites
Nutella	Rigoni di Asiago Nocciolata dairy-free hazelnut cocoa spread Justin’s Hazelnut and Almond butter
Oreo	Oreo gluten-free cookies      Kinnikinnick K-Toos
Swiss Miss hot cocoa	Swiss Miss non-dairy hot cocoa
Chips Ahoy!	Lucy’s chocolate chip cookies Partake chocolate chip cookies        Made Good chocolate chip cookies       Cybele’s Free to Eat chocolate chip cookies Yes Bar dark chocolate chip snack bar
Snack Pack and Jello chocolate puddings	Zen oat milk chocolate pudding Zen almond milk chocolate pudding       Whole Foods 365 almond milk chocolate pudding
Hostess chocolate donettes	Kinnikinnick chocolate donuts      Katz chocolate donuts     Sweet Ali’s vegan brownie rectangle        Udi’s double chocolate muffins
Hostess cream-filled chocolate cupcakes	No Whey! cream-filled chocolate cupcakes      Katz crème filled chocolate cupcakes         Leah’s Better Bites Lil’ Mo mini cupcakes      Veggies Made Great Garden Lites double chocolate muffins

Conclusion

There are many gluten- and dairy-free chocolate substitutes to satisfy your cravings. And many brands now offer allergy-free versions of their popular chocolates, such as Hershey’s, Reese’s, Oreo, and Lindt.

Look for upcoming posts on other substitutes, including cheeze (vegan cheese), snacks, meals, and more.

Fun Food Fact

Joseph Fry, a British confectioner, created the first chocolate bar in 1847. Inspired by Fry, John Cadbury introduced his Cadbury chocolate bar in 1849. 

Did You Know

Social media made Dubai chocolate popular. It’s a chocolate bar filled with pistachios and a filo dough pastry.

Quote

“Anything is good if it’s made of chocolate.” Jo Brand.