Calorie Mate is a Japanese food replacement product made by Otsuka Pharmaceutical, a company we previously mentioned who is behind the popular rehydration drink, POCARI SWEAT. They are also the company behind SOYJOY bars.
It’s a brand of nutritional energy bars and energy gel foods for people looking to lose weight and cut back on their calories. It’s primarily sold in Japan and other parts of Asia.
Many people use Calorie Mate as a way to stay healthy and eliminate calories. But is CalorieMate gluten-free and safe for people with Celiac Disease? Let’s find out.
This article was last updated with new information on: March 25, 2025
Is Calorie Mate Gluten Free?
NO
No! All types of CalorieMate blocks (energy bars) contain wheat flour and wheat protein. The gels do not contain any obvious wheat ingredients, but they are not labeled and due to the cross contamination risks, we cannot identify them to be safe for people with Celiac Disease or a gluten intolerance/wheat allergy.
Calorie Mate Block Products (none are gluten free)
These products all contain wheat!
- Calorie Mate BLOCK Cheese
- Calorie Mate BLOCK Fruit
- Calorie Mate BLOCK Chocolate
- Calorie Mate BLOCK Maple
- Calorie Mate BLOCK Vanilla
Calorie Mate Jelly Type Products (not labeled gluten free)
We could not find any obvious wheat ingredients in the jelly type products, but cannot confirm their safety. We’ve reached out to Otsuka Pharmaceutical for a definitive answer.
- Calorie Mate JELLY Apple
- Calorie Mate JELLY Lime & Grapefruit
- Calorie Mate JELLY Fruity Milk
Here is a picture of a Calorie Mate BLOCK products we saw at a convenience store while visiting Tokyo, Japan on a trip to Asia in March 2025. All photos copyright Moloney Creative Agency.
Calorie Mate BLOCK Cheese (4 blocks) Ingredients
Wheat flour (Japan-processed), margarine (including dairy components), sugar, natural cheese, eggs, almond powder, starch, powdered skim milk, soy protein, wheat protein, salt/sodium caseinate, modified starch, fragrance, carotenoid pigment
Source: Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co, Ltd.
Calorie Mate BLOCK Cheese (4 blocks) Nutrition Facts
Calorie Mate per 4 blocks (full pack) nutritional facts. This serving contains:
- Energy: 400kcal
- Protein: 8.4g
- Fat: 22.2g
- Carbohydrates: 42.7g (sugars: 40.7g, dietary fiber: 2g)
- Sodium Chloride (Salt) Equivalent: 0.94g
- Calcium: 200mg
- Iron: 2mg
- Magnesium: 50mg
- Phosphorus: 100mg
- Vitamin A: 385μg
- Vitamin B1: 0.6mg
- Vitamin B2: 0.7mg
- Vitamin B6: 0.7mg
- Vitamin B12: 1.2μg
- Niacin: 6.5mg
- Pantothenic Acid: 2.4mg
- Folic Acid: 120μg
- Vitamin C: 50mg
- Vitamin D: 2.8μg
- Vitamin E: 3.2mg
Visit the official Calorie Mate Website
View the official Calorie Mate website from Otsuka Pharmaceutical here: https://www.otsuka.co.jp/en/nutraceutical/products/caloriemate/
Need another alternative to Calorie Mate that is gluten free? Otsuka actually has one that is safe and confirmed gluten free! Learn more about SOYJOY.
