Candies, gumdrops, starch jelly pieces
Whole food · Sweets
Photo: Wikipedia
Gumdrops and starch jelly pieces are vibrant, chewy confections made primarily from sugar, corn syrup, and a gelling agent like starch or gelatin. They offer a soft, springy texture and a burst of intense, often fruit or spice-inspired sweetness. Nutritionally, they are almost pure carbohydrate, delivering a quick energy spike with negligible protein, fat, or fiber.
Calorie split: 0% protein · 100% carbs · 0% fat
↓ Full nutrition💚 Why it's loved
People love them for their satisfyingly chewy texture and the nostalgic, straightforward sweetness that evokes childhood treats. Their versatility makes them a popular topping for cakes, ice cream, and hot cocoa, or a simple standalone snack.
⚠️ Watch-outs & how to enjoy it better
Their high sugar content (nearly 60g per 100g) can cause rapid blood-sugar spikes, making them unsuitable for individuals managing diabetes or seeking sustained energy. To counteract this, enjoy them in strict portion control (e.g., a small handful) and pair them with a source of protein or healthy fat, like a handful of nuts or a piece of cheese, to slow sugar absorption.
Key benefits
- Quick source of energy
- Fat-free confection
- Long shelf life
- Widely available and affordable
- Fun, colorful addition to desserts
🍽️ Popular dishes
🌍 Where it's eaten
💡 Did you know?
The name 'gumdrop' likely comes from the original method of dropping the hot sugar mixture from a spoon to cool, not from any actual gum ingredient.
Full nutrition (USDA data · scales with serving)
| Water | 1.0 g |
| Energy | 396 kcal |
| Energy | 1655 kj |
| Protein | 0.00 g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 0.00 g |
| Ash | 0.10 g |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 98.9 g |
| Fiber, total dietary | 0.10 g |
| Total Sugars | 59.0 g |
| Calcium, Ca | 3.0 mg |
| Iron, Fe | 0.40 mg |
| Magnesium, Mg | 1.0 mg |
| Phosphorus, P | 1.0 mg |
| Potassium, K | 5.0 mg |
| Sodium, Na | 44.0 mg |
| Zinc, Zn | 0.00 mg |
| Copper, Cu | 0.01 mg |
| Manganese, Mn | 0.01 mg |
| Selenium, Se | 0.80 ug |
| Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid | 0.00 mg |
| Thiamin | 0.01 mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.01 mg |
| Niacin | 0.01 mg |
| Pantothenic acid | 0.01 mg |
| Vitamin B-6 | 0.01 mg |
| Folate, total | 0.00 ug |
| Folic acid | 0.00 ug |
| Folate, food | 0.00 ug |
| Folate, DFE | 0.00 ug |
| Choline, total | 0.00 mg |
| Vitamin B-12 | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin B-12, added | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, RAE | 0.00 ug |
| Retinol | 0.00 ug |
| Carotene, beta | 0.00 ug |
| Carotene, alpha | 0.00 ug |
| Cryptoxanthin, beta | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, IU | 0.00 iu |
| Lycopene | 0.00 ug |
| Lutein + zeaxanthin | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) | 0.00 mg |
| Vitamin E, added | 0.00 mg |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3), International Units | 0.00 iu |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3) | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin K (phylloquinone) | 0.00 ug |
| Alcohol, ethyl | 0.00 g |
| Caffeine | 0.00 mg |
| Theobromine | 0.00 mg |
Fat & fatty acid profile (per 100g)
| Fatty acids, total saturated | 0.00 g |
| SFA 4:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 6:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 8:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 10:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 12:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 14:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 16:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 18:0 | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 16:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 18:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 20:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 22:1 | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 18:2 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 18:3 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 18:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:5 n-3 (EPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:5 n-3 (DPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:6 n-3 (DHA) | 0.00 g |
| Cholesterol | 0.00 mg |
Amino acid profile (per 100g)
Estimated from Candies, honey-combed, with peanut butter — USDA does not publish this profile for Candies.
| Tryptophan | 0.09 g |
| Threonine | 0.21 g |
| Isoleucine | 0.24 g |
| Leucine | 0.61 g |
| Lysine | 0.27 g |
| Methionine | 0.10 g |
| Cystine | 0.09 g |
| Phenylalanine | 0.47 g |
| Tyrosine | 0.33 g |
| Valine | 0.31 g |
| Arginine | 1.1 g |
| Histidine | 0.22 g |
| Alanine | 0.36 g |
| Aspartic acid | 1.2 g |
| Glutamic acid | 2.0 g |
| Glycine | 0.56 g |
| Proline | 0.55 g |
| Serine | 0.58 g |
FAQ
Are gumdrops gluten-free?
Most traditional gumdrops are gluten-free as they are made from sugar, corn syrup, and starch. However, always check the label, as some brands may be produced in facilities that handle wheat or use additives containing gluten.
Why are some gumdrops coated in sugar?
The sugar coating, often called 'sanding sugar,' prevents the candies from sticking together in the bag and adds an extra crunchy texture and sparkle.
Can I use gumdrops in baking?
Yes! They are excellent in cookies (like gumdrop cookies), cakes, and breads. They will melt slightly when heated, creating pockets of concentrated sweetness and color.
Nutrient density (calculated · NRF9.3)
Nutrient Rich Foods index: beneficial nutrients (protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals) minus saturated fat, added sugar & sodium, per 100 kcal.
NRF9.3 index — Fulgoni, Keast & Drewnowski, 2009. Computed from USDA nutrients.
Weight-loss friendliness (composite index)
Energy density 3.96 kcal/g · 0% calories from protein · 0.1 g fiber · 59.0 g sugar per 100 g.
Composite of energy density (Rolls et al., 1999), protein & fiber satiety, minus sugar. A calculated heuristic — ranks satiety-per-calorie, not a clinical measure.
Dietary load (calculated from USDA values)
Potential renal acid load. Positive = acid-forming, negative = alkaline-forming.
Sodium-to-potassium ratio: 8.80 (lower is better — aim for ≤ 1)
Sodium:potassium per WHO potassium guidance. Computed from USDA nutrients.