Ask a Vegan Baker

Hi Yuki244, have you tried Carob as a substitute? While it's not my favorite it's the only ingredient I know of that is a substitute for chocolate and is healthy as well See very short video at: http://nutritionfacts.org/video/is-carob-good-for-you/

Hi Yuki244,

When you mean Balance Chocolate, do you mean the chocolate version of their energy bar? If so, it's possible the chocolate coating just doesn't haven enough cocoa to make you sick. Most bar chocolate candy and energy bar manufacturers don't use 100% chocolate coatings in the name of affordability.

If you don't mind potentially getting slightly sick in the name of looking for answers, you might want to track down some cacao nibs and eat a small amount to see if you get the same allergy as when you eat normal chocolate. Chocolate is made with cacao, which contains cocoa solids and cocoa butter. Chocolate also contains sugar, vanilla extract , usually lecithin and sometimes other stabilizers and flavorings, depending on the manufacturer.

If you have symptoms after eating cacao nibs, then it's safe to say you have a chocolate allergy and sadly, the only thing you can do is avoid it and look to carob-based foods as IBMiel mentioned.

Good luck and us know what you find!

Thank you for the replies.

IBMiel,I have tried Carob biscuits. Thanks for the link.

I don't mean Balance energy bar , it's a chocolate bar that is supposed to be suitable for vegans and vegetarians.http://www.klingelechocolade.be/

I looked at that bar and although they don't list the ingredients, it looks like they use rice solids instead of milk solids. Most high quality dark chocolate is vegan- just look for it without milkfat or butter in the ingredients. Other than that, as mentioned earlier, carob is the way to go. Good luck!