People are usually not allergic to the chocolate itself, but to one of the ingredients added to the cocoa. But whatever it is that they're allergic to will produce headaches, hives, difficulty breathing, among a number of other unpleasant reactions. How unfortunate for those afflicted. Most holiday treats revolve around chocolate; Chocolate bunnies for Easter, a box of chocolates for Valentine's Day, Halloween chocolate candy bar treats and being unable to indulge is a huge disappointment.

In cooking or baking, carob is often used as a substitute for chocolate in recipes. Carob is a little sweeter than cocoa and does not contain caffeine nor theobromine, mild stimulants found in cocoa. Harvesting the carob pods for food dates back to ancient times in what is now known as the Middle East. (A little known fact is that the carob seeds were once used as the weight measurement for diamonds, hence the word "carat".)

If the person is not making his/her own treats, there are chocolate candy substitutes on the market. These include candy bars, carob covered malted milk balls, and truffles. One of the recommended bars is Goldie's Carob Crunch Bar. Another manufacturer of carob treats is Queen Bee Gardens. You can find a variety of carob truffles at: http://queenbeegardens.com/miva/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=QBG&Product_Code=CBMXF9. Tiger's Milk also offers a carob covered peanut butter bar, as well. Mary Ann's, a health food distributor, also offers a number of carob products that can be found at: http://www.mary-anns.com/Products/Specials.php.

The problem with the carob candy is that it's not readily available in stores to satisfy that sudden craving. These products can be found online fairly easily, though. People with chocolate allergies may consider ordering the candies online and having it on hand at home. Making a few calls to nearby health stores may also provide a source for carob bars and candies.

Carob is a great alternative to chocolate if you can find it. Try organic food stores in your area. Some of the stores here once sold carob coated yogurt bars but I can no longer find them.
Funny thing is I see carob chip cookies and carob coated treats for dogs in one of our local pet stores now.

A good substitute for chocolate is carbob. I have had carob chips in trail mixes in place of chocolate. The color and texture is the same, although the taste is quite different. It is more along the lines of a dark chocolate with its bitterness and has a little nutty flavor. But I like nuts with dark chocolate anyway, so it's a bit of a substitute for that instead of a milk chocolate. Carob bars can be purchased at Amazon.com and health food stores. Note that the cost is quite a bit more expensive than chocolate but a good alternative for those allergic to chocolate.

Another good substitute that is better for milk chocolate is white chocolate. You'll get the same creaminess and smoothness from white chocolate, although it's sweeter and really doesn't taste like milk chocolate. I enoy it better though that milk chocolate for certain candies. It's great with peanut butter.