Are Hi Chews Vegan?

Hi-Chew is a chewable vitamin snack made by Nestle. It’s been around since 1975, and it’s still being manufactured today. Unfortunately, it doesn’t meet the standards of veganism.

Hi-Chew is made using gelatin, which is derived from animal bones. Gelatin is used in food products to give them texture and structure. However, it comes from animals, so it’s not considered vegan.

There are plenty of vegan snacks on the market, including vegan jerky, vegan cheese sticks, vegan cookies, and vegan crackers. You can find them at most grocery stores and online retailers.

History Of Hi Chews

Hi-Chews started out as a caramel-flavored chewable candy. However, they soon expanded into other fringe flavors and became incredibly popular. Today, there are over 170 fruit flavors available, including chocolate, strawberry, lemon, orange, mint, coffee, raspberry, grape, apple, watermelon, banana, licorice, and many others.

Hi-Chews are still made in Japan today, and they continue to grow in popularity. In fact, they’ve become so popular that they’re now sold in over 50 countries worldwide.

Today, Hi Chews are still made using traditional methods, and they’re still manufactured in Japan. They’re also still made with only natural ingredients, and they never contain any artificial flavoring or coloring.

They’re truly a Japanese classic!

How Are Hi-chews Made?

Hi-chews are made using a special process called “gelatinization.” Gelatinization involves heating sugar syrup until it becomes thick and gummy. Once it reaches this stage, it’s added to a mixture of fruits and vegetables.

After cooling, the mixture is cut into long strands and shaped into snakes. These snakes are then sliced into bite-sized pieces. Finally, the pieces are packaged and shipped off to stores across Japan.

The recipe for making hi-chews is very similar to the method used to make traditional jelly candies. However, the ingredients are not boiled, instead, they are heated only enough to become sticky. This makes the final product softer and chewier than regular jelly candies.

Why Are Hi-chews Considered Non-vegan?

Gelatin

Hi-chew Flavors are considered non-vegan because they contain non-vegan ingredients such as gelatin. Gelatin is derived from animal bone char and connective tissue. While there are vegetarian alternatives available, none of them are quite the same as the original.

Gelatin is used in food products like ice cream, pudding, puddings, yogurt, cheese, and meat analogs. It’s found naturally in the skin, tendons, ligaments, cartilage, bone marrow, blood vessels, and organs of animals. It’s also added to foods during processing to give texture and structure.

Hydrogenated Palm Kernel Oil

Palm kernel oil is used in a wide variety of products, including cosmetics, food, pharmaceuticals, and personal hygiene products. However, there are concerns regarding its environmental impact. Palm oil plantations destroy rainforest habitats and harm wildlife. Additionally, hydrogenation makes palm oil less healthy for humans.

Sugar

Hi-Chew Sugar is made from beet sugar cane juice, not refined table grams of sugar. It’s 100% natural, gluten-free, dairy-free, soy-free, corn-free, nut-free, GMO-free, non-GMO, kosher, vegetarian, vegan, low carb, no artificial ingredients, and organic.

Hi-Chew Sugar is available in several original flavors including chocolate chip, caramel, vanilla bean, strawberry, and raspberry.

Stearic Acid

This is yet another element vegans should be aware of because stearic acid may be manufactured from animal fats. However, it is also possible to get it synthesized using plant fats.

As you can see, there are many different ways in which we can obtain this essential fatty acid. The best way to ensure that you’re getting enough is by eating a variety of foods rich in omega-3s and limiting your intake of saturated fat.

Honey

Hi-Chew Honey is 100% natural honey made from the nectar of bees. Bees collect pollen from flowers and mix it with nectar to produce honey. Hi-Chew Honey is made from the nectar produced by bees feeding on the leaves of plants called clover.

The plant produces nectar containing high levels of antioxidants and vitamins A and C. These nutrients give Hi Chew Honey its unique flavor additive and color.

Dairy

While most of their regular candies are dairy-free, they still include yogurt in some of their flavors. However, they say that none of their flavors contain any animal ingredients.

They recently introduced a line of vegan candies called Hi-Chew Vegan. These candies are made without milk, eggs, honey, or gelatin. Instead, they use soy protein isolate, coconut oil, tapioca starch, brown rice syrup, natural flavorings, and artificial sweeteners.

Vegan Alternatives To Hi-chews

Hi-chews are high-calorie candy bars made with hydrogenated vegetable oils. They are usually loaded with coconut sugar and artificial flavors and colors.

These types of candies are extremely unhealthy and shouldn’t be eaten regularly. Instead, opt for healthier options like vegan chocolate chip cookies, brownie bites, and fruit snacks.

These healthy treats are great for snacking between meals, especially if you’re trying to lose weight. They’re low in calories and fat and provide plenty of protein and fiber. Plus, they taste delicious! Try out any of the following options for tasty vegan alternatives to hi-chews:

Organic Chewy Candies By YumEarth

A vegetarian-friendly option that is also gluten- and GMO-free.

The following ingredients are listed in the component profile:

• Organic Cane Sugar
• Organic Rice Syrup
• Organic Natural Flavors
• Organic Palm Oil
• Organic Sunflower Lecithin
• Citric Acid
• Organic Turmeric for Coloring
• Colored From Organic Concentrates such as Carrot and Blackcurrant
• Pectin

There are no animal-based ingredients but all-natural ingredients!

YumEarth Organic Pops

These organic pops are made with only four ingredients: water, sugar, citric acid, and natural flavors. There are no artificial colors, preservatives, or flavorings. So if you’re looking for a healthy alternative to traditional candy, then these organic pops might be right up your alley.

Lovely Organic Hard Candies

Lovely Organic Hard Candies are organic hard candies made with natural ingredients. These treats are great for children and adults alike.

They come in various flavors including strawberry, lemon, orange, raspberry, watermelon, chocolate chip, peanut butter cup, and more. Each creamy candy comes in its own resealable pouch and is gluten-free, dairy-free, soy-free, nut-free, egg-free, and GMO-free.

The Ginger People Ginger Chews

Ginger Chews are made with only five simple plant-based ingredients, including turmeric, ginger, and no added sugar. They’re also vegan, gluten-free, non-GMO, and devoid of any artificial flavors or colors.

These tasty treats are great remedies for upset tummy and nausea and satisfy your sweet cravings. You’ll find them at grocery stores nationwide.

Ginger Chews come in two varieties: Spicy Ginger Chews and Sweet Ginger Chews. Both are available in single packs and six-packs.

Conclusion

Even if you decide to go vegetarian, you don’t have to give up eating sweet treats. Just look for veggie options. But sadly, Hi-Chews shouldn’t be on your list.

Fortunately, it isn’t too difficult to come up with tasty vegan alternatives for these chewy texture candied fruits. Try out some of the suggestions in this article!