Health benefits of eating gelatin daily (a 3 month challenge)

I have always had a good amount of gelatin in my diet. I like it in your typical Jello form but also in my favorite candies, other desserts and even soups. It wasn't till I looked at my diet closer that I found exactly how much gelatin I usually consume, and how often.

gelatin for health

I had seen a mention on an Instagram photo about the benefits of eating gelatin. The photo claimed it was a diet food and was good for hair, skin, nails and joints. I decided to research it.

I found so many amazing benefits that I decided to give myself a challenge. I decided that I would eat gelatin in some form every single day for 3 months and then assess my results. 

I was pretty impressed after 3 months, but my 5th month just finished and I am absolutely in love with the results!

What is gelatin? 


Gelatin or gelatine (from Latin: gelatus meaning "stiff", "frozen") is a translucent, colorless, brittle (when dry), flavorless foodstuff, derived from collagen obtained from various animal by-products. It is commonly used as a gelling agent in food, pharmaceuticals, photography, and cosmetic manufacturing.

Gelatin is an irreversibly hydrolyzed form of collagen. (source: Wikipedia) According to WebMD:

Gelatin is used for weight loss and for treating osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and brittle bones (osteoporosis). Some people also use it for strengthening bones, joints, and fingernails. Gelatin is also used for improving hair quality and to shorten recovery after exercise and sports-related injury.

Health Benefits of Gelatin

"My" main reasons for consuming gelatin daily for this challenge are as follows:

Digestion: 

Gelatin absorbs water so it keeps things moving through the gut and helps with digestion and constipation. It also reduces inflammation and helps repair the intestinal lining. Gelatin can also help with leaky gut.

Healthy joints: 

You read that part about gelatin being derived from collagen, right? We know joints need collagen to be healthy and this is a great source of it! Athletes have used gelatin for joint pain relief and as an anti-inflammatory.

Skin & Hair: 

Speaking of collagen....those anti aging creams they sell aren't as effective as a daily serving of gelatin, and it's cheaper. Gelatin also contains keratin which is essential for healthy nails, hair, teeth and skin.

Sleep: 

Gelatin contains glycine and consuming it before bed helps induce sleep. That's not to say that eating it during the day will make you tired, but the glycine in gelatin can help you to sleep better at night.

Nutrition: 

Gelatin contains 6 grams of protein per tablespoon, 1/2 of your essential amino acids and Glycine, which helps your liver release toxins.

Now this is by no means a complete list on benefits. I'd be writing for the next 2 days if I compiled one of those! That is the list of why I decided to challenge myself to eat more gelatin. Now for my results:

* My nails are longer and stronger. Finally!
* My joints quit hurting all the time and when they do bother me, it seems to be a much shorter episode.
* My hair is growing in much healthier, even with dying it last week. 
* My skin looks a bit less dry and aged & I've been sleeping much better. 
* My digestion issues have cleared up a lot and it continues to improve.
* I lost a few pounds. I didn't really expect it and wasn't trying, but there it went!

I'm very happy with these results!

Mixing gelatin, how to

How to Add Gelatin to your Diet


How did I do it? I bought plain gelatin and mixed it with Jello every 4 days. I have an extreme sweet tooth so this worked great for me. Especially for those after dinner cravings! You could eat gelatin plain without the flavored stuff mixed in, but it's not that great tasting.

I used 1 large 'table' spoon full of unflavored gelatin. (not a Tbsp. measuring spoon, a silver dinner spoon) I added 1 1/2 - 2 cups boiling water and stirred gently till absorbed. Then I add 1 packet sugar free Jello style dessert mix. Mix thoroughly then chill and cut into squares.

I ate 1/4 of this mixture each day consuming most of it after dinner. That's 1/2 cup a day, less if you only used 1.5 cups of water. Yes, I used commercial flavored, chemical crap. Yes...it was good! 😂 I did find that Walmart brand 'Jello' is the cheapest and it tastes the same. 

Different ways to eat gelatin


I also experimented with adding my own juices and flavorings but have yet to settle on a fail-proof recipe, so I'll work on that! I did find a strawberry jello cup recipe from Attainable Sustainable that is A-Mazing though...so check that out in the meantime.

I also made homemade marshmallows a few times. They were so good and even the kids loved them. I'll post that recipe soon.

Also, a few days a month I make a bone broth which is rich in gelatin. Bone broth is awesome because you can eat it alone or use it to flavor rice, vegetable dishes or as a soup/stew base. It's easy to set & forget in the crock pot, so very little work. It can also be canned so a big batch can last a long time!

Here is an excellent post on using a turkey to make Bone Broth by Back To Our Roots.

disclosure
I started by buying bulk gelatin from the Amish store by me, however I have found a grass fed beef gelatin that I really like. This one by Further Foods is very similar to Knox or the stuff I bought. (the first gelatin I bought tended to smell a little like wet dog when I mixed it up, the Great Lakes was much better in that department!)

Speaking of which you could buy Knox at your local store, but it's much more expensive than a bulk version.

Health benefits of gelatin

Gelatin VS Collagen

You may have heard about collagen peptides being used for their health benefits. Gelatin is actually a degraded form of collagen, so they are slightly different but have almost all of the same benefits. 

I originally wrote this article in 2015, and the collagen craze was not what it is now, so information and products weren't as widely available as now. I have since started using gelatin and collagen interchangeably and have continued getting many of the same results.

The lone sticking point for me has been weight loss, as the sugar free Jell-O style dessert actually helped me with cravings for sweets. Any time you reduce your daily calories it can have an effect on your weight. Collagen peptides are tasteless, therefore they do not help with sugar cravings.

Collagen can be mixed into cold liquids which makes it more versatile than gelatin for drinks. The main difference is their thickening properties, which collagen does not have at all. Collagen also comes in capsule or pill form if you prefer that.

Great Lakes brand also has collagen that's water soluble. That one is great for smoothies and adding to other drinks and recipes. As mentioned it doesn't gel or thicken the same so it's practically unnoticeable once mixed in, which makes it very easy to drink every day. I find collagen more portable, but gelatin more practical for daily use, since it can also be a dessert. 


I have a lot more experimenting that I want to do with recipes and different ways to add gelatin to my diet. These last few months have convinced me that adding gelatin to my diet daily has made a huge improvement and now I'm just searching for ways to simplify it for the long run!

Since writing this post I have found so many great resources for information on why and how to add gelatin to your daily diet including Martha Stewart's recipe for homemade marshmallows.

Many other common foods have health benefits too! Check out these articles: The many health benefits of ginger
there are 13 reasons why parsley might be the healthiest thing in your kitchenand did you know that there are 12 Reasons why you should brew up some catnip tea? Try it!

~L

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I am not a doctor or other health care professional nor do I claim to be. I am not trained in any medical field. I am simply passing on information that has worked for me. This information is for entertainment purposes only and is not meant to treat or diagnose any medical condition. see a Dr if you are ill. Click for my full disclaimer.

(This post contains affiliate links. If you chose to purchase something through the link, I will get a small payment from Amazon. It will not affect your purchase price. Click for full disclosure.)

65 comments:

  1. Adding gelatin to my diet is something I've been meaning to do for quite some time now! You are giving me the kick in the rear I need to get moving on this!

    Anyhoo, I found your blog through a Sustainable Blogger link up site.. I just wanted to stop by and say hi! Trying to find some like minded bloggers to follow! It would totally make my day if you stopped by my blog to say hi sometime, or better yet, keep in touch! <3 - www.domesticgeekgirl.com

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    1. I did the same thing...kept saying 'I should start eating more of this' and time just passed. Once I started though, it was super easy and seeing results keeps me right on track!

      I'm glad you stopped by! I'm heading over to check out your blog!
      ~Lisa

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    2. How much does one take i am not sure is it a table spoon a day or how

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    3. If you're using the Great Lakes Gelatin to mix into your food or drinks, then yea....a tablespoon a day is enough.

      Lisa

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  2. Very interesting. Thanks for sharing. About 10 years ago I lost 55 pounds on my own and I ate a lot of jello to help keep my from snacking on other junk. I wonder now if this is why I lost so well. Need to go make some now!!

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  3. Such a great post! I've never thought that gelatin is so beneficial! It must be some kind of a "superfood" ;) Now I definitely plan to include meals with gelatin into my weekly diet plan. Hope it will work out!

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    1. Give it a try....I think you'll be pleased!

      Lisa

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  4. Wow I never knew there was actual health benefits to eating gelatin. I will definitely have to look into this further as I am trying to change my eating lifestyle

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    1. It shocked me when I first found out about it too. I mean, I knew gelatin was yummy but never dreamed that it was healthy!

      Lisa

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  5. I never knew that gelatin had this many healthy benefits! This was a very interesting read, thank you so much for sharing your experience with this!

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    1. Ya know, it's really crazy how many of our everyday foods are good for our health! I just love finding a foods purpose in our diet!

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  6. I had no idea gelatin is good for your body! I would think it’s bad because I heard it’s from pork fat or something, however, now that I’m on keto I haven’t been as scared of eating fat as much as I used to before and it make sense!

    I learn something new everyday! Thanks for sharing

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    1. I was surprised too! Gelatin is actually made from the skin, cartilage and bones and has no fat content at all. Be careful on keto though as many gelatin recipes are high in carbs.

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  7. I love collagen in all it's various forms, including gelatin! I myself have been incorporating more collagen in my diet, but usually though collagen supplements. I may have to give more gelatin a try!

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    1. Definitely give gelatin a try. It's much cheaper than collagen supplements and can be used is so many different recipes.

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  8. This is a really interesting article. I never knew gelatin has so many awesome health benefits. I do ADORE bone broth, and I feel better when I drink it. Congrats on the awesome results. I'm going to have to add more gelatin to my diet for sure. Cheers!

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    1. Thanks! You should definitely give gelatin a try. I think you'll love the results.

      Lisa

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  9. I started using gelatin after reading your post and the results are phenomenal my eyelashes are fuller and my dark stretch marks are fading, as for weight loss i haven't lost any but every time i weigh myself the weight remains constant

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    1. That is awesome that you can see the difference in your eyelashes and skin from just gelatin! Weight loss is a tricky thing, what works for some doesn't always work for others unfortunately.

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  10. I also have been using gelatin supplements for a while too. In addition to the mentioned benefits it is also great for connective tissue repair and cartilage repair. I used the Now foods one that also has MSM and glucosamine in it. One heaping scoop a day is 8,000 mg hydrolyzed beef gelatin. You can get those pill makers and make them for on the go use. I do sometimes on vacation and take 2-4 in the AM and PM.

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    1. I'll have to see if I can find that gelatin supplement....Glucosamine is great for joints also. Making your own gelatin filled capsules is a great idea!

      Lisa

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  11. Is it ok to mix a tablespoon to a glass of water and drink it every day? Thank you

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    1. Yes, that would work just as well as the dessert style gelatin!

      Lisa

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  12. I am adding 1 teaspoon on my coffee, I am hoping it helps me with my knee pain, and maybe with some fine lines too lol, lets see.

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    1. Good luck with it! I think you'll be happy with the results.

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  13. Hi there... How much should I consume per day?

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    1. I ate about 1/2 cup of double strength gelatin a day when I made it like the Jello cubed. If you get the mix in type, then 1-2 spoons a day should be enough.

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  14. Gelatin is a product made by cooking collagen. It is made almost entirely of protein, and its unique amino acid profile gives it many health benefits

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    1. Exactly! Which make gelatin one of those "superfoods" that are so popular now.

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  15. Hi I love this I would like to try gelatine how much should I take a day when the best time to consume it morning or evening thank you

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    1. It doesn't matter if you take gelatin in morning or evening, but if you have trouble sleeping then the glycine in gelatin might help. I eat about 1/4 of the mixture if you follow my recipe or 1 Tbs a day if you get the cold water soluble gelatin.

      Lisa

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  16. I'm so happy I found your article about Gelatin. My mother loved orange jello with shredded carrots for dessert. From the 50s until I left home in the 70s we ate jello in different flavors and forms almost everyday. My nails were so strong I could not bend them but now they have become thin, misshapen, with cracks and I had forgotten about "my mother's recipe." Thanks I'm adding Gelatin to my shopping list.

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    1. Oh my gosh I remember the carrot jello from the 70's! lol Now people think that's crazy, but back then it was a common thing, especially at parties. I was just remarking to my mother the other day that the desserts we ate back in the 70's were healthier than the current ones. Cooked puddings made with real milk, gelatin, real ice cream and fruit. Now everything is so processed, it's a shame. Add some gelatin back into your diet and you're nails should regain their strength.

      Lisa

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  17. I used to make jello with unsweetened gelatin and unsweetened koolaid. I added stevia for sweetness.
    I had forgotten about that. Thanks for mentioning it and sharing your personal results. Now I know what to look for. Didn't realize it had such significant health benefits--all of which I could use!

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    1. That sounds yummy! I never thought to use koolaid to flavor gelatin. Great idea!

      Lisa

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  18. I started using gelatin many years ago, for my dog, by adding it to homemade meals that I made for her diet health. She had a compromised autoimmune system, having discoid Lupus and in her late years developed degenerative myelopathy (akin to ALS), as a GSD she lived to age 16 1/4 years. I now have a cat that I've chosen to make his food after a few years of feeding him dry cat food. I add 1/2 packet unflavored gelatin when making his meals and in a short time, his fur is lush, he's now a healthy weight, he's playing like a kitten and he's able to evacuate his bowel without my assist. This cat had a broken pelvis when I rescued him, so his ability to poop on his own is a great relief for me and him, and I haven't had to give him an enema since changing his diet. The following is a recipe that I adapted and is delicious for human consumption: Raspberry Jello Salad. Ingredients: 1 envelope unflavored gelatin; 2 - 3oz. pkgs raspberry jello; 2 - 10oz. pkgs frozen red raspberries; 2 cups applesauce (use sweetened or unsweetened); In a large bowl, dissolve raspberry jello and packet of unflavored gelatin in 2 cups boiling water, stir until dissolved. Add frozen raspberries, stirring until they are thawed. Add the applesauce, stir to mix. Cool completely before putting a cover on the bowl. May substitute strawberry jello and frozen strawberries - blend or crush strawberries. This recipe has collagen benefit, antioxidants and fiber.

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    1. Thanks for sharing Christine! I have never tried to give gelatin to my pets but I'm so glad to hear that they get the same benefits us humans do! I'm really happy for your kitty! It warms my heart when someone takes on a difficult case and heals the cat. Rescue is so important. Thanks for the recipe..it sounds delicious! I'm going to grab the ingredients at the store today.

      Lisa

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    2. Christine, I wonder if you would be willing to share how you made your dog food, I would like to make my two dogs food as I really have not found any that they like. Thank you.

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  19. My family used to have bloody noses a lot for no reason. A very old lady lived next door to us, told me to drink hot jello. Thought she was crazy. Lol. But we tried it, and it didn't bring it to a complete stop, but we now only have a bloody nose once every few months . You just take a small box and pour 1/2 of pkg in a cup and add hot water. I don't drink coffee, but I love drinking this hot. Any flavor works. Enjoy.

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    1. That is amazing! I wonder what it is in the gelatin that stops you from having bloody noses? Maybe it's the glycine. Dunno, but I'm so glad it helped! Thanks for sharing.

      Lisa

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  20. I have been sing Knox's unflavored gelatin for years now and just heating different natural juices to make my own flavored jello and its always delicious. I use 2 pkts of unflavored gelatin to two cups of hot juice of choice. Still well and then put into the ridge until set. Eat it every day, just for the Collagen/ vitamin c, etc..I'm going on 78 yrs old this year and sure don't look anywhere near it. Hair shoulder length, and always getting compliments from strangers for all the good reasons. Real Collagen not from a container from Whole Foods, or any health store, so sim ple to make and natural...

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    1. That sounds yummy! I've been experimenting with different juice and gelatin combinations to get the right taste, so I'll definitely give your recipe a try! I think maybe I've been using too much water. It's crazy how good gelatin is for skin and hair. Thanks for sharing your experience!

      Lisa

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  21. I did some experimenting with Knox unflavored gelatin without adding any sugar, just organic fruit juices to have flavor, especially Mango, delicious. I east about 1 cup a day for the collagen. I have been doing this for about three months now and I definitely can see a great difference in my facial skin and neck. who would have thought that such a simple food could really work. All the creams in the world can't put Collagen back into the skin has to be from the inside, and I believe some of us have proven this to be a fact.So cheap a box of Knox Gelatin purchased through Amazon.So many organic natural juice flavors on the market. Stay away from the white sugar and try the fresh natural juices....So glad I discovered this skin remedy for myself and proved it to myself....

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    1. You are so right about the collagen having to be ingested. The molecules are simply too big to penetrate the skin from the outside so the only way to get any real benefits from collagen is to eat it in foods like gelatin. I'm going to try the mango juice and unflavored gelatin. That sounds great! Thanks for the tip!

      Lisa

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  22. Which is best Beef or Pork gelatine and which is best first thing in the morning and which is best before bedtime 😳
    Many thanks

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    1. I use pork gelatin. As far as I know one is not any better than the other, so just use whatever you have available!

      Lisa

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    2. Perhaps marine gelatin is great. I use all 3 types.

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  23. I've been reading about this for a while 1st day taking it my bones hurt neck started cracking alot delivered beer for 13 years going to take this everyday for a while will keep you posted on the results thanks

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  24. Hi there. I add one tablespoon of unflavored gelatin to my ramen noodle soups. In the morning it goes into my vitamin water. I like this twice a day!

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    1. That's a great idea! I add collagen to my coffee but never thought to add gelatin to soup. I'll have to try that!

      Lisa

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  25. Hi, can I take gelatin daily for a long period without a break
    Thanks
    Coral

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    1. Yes you can. I've been taking gelatin daily since the post was written in 2015 and I'm still getting great results from it.

      Lisa

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  26. I have old sachets of Knox unflavored gelatin lying in my house.Maybe 10-12 yrs old.Can I still use them

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    1. I don't think they will spoil, should be ok as long as they have remained dry.

      Lisa

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  27. I have a question

    I started taking 2 teaspoons of powdered gelatine (the only brand found in Francistown, Botswana) 2 weeks ago.

    I simply dissolve it in about 50ml of room temperature water and swallow. I take this first thing in the morning on an empty stomach.

    My question is this... Is it still as effective when taken in this form? The gelatine is not completely dissolved...

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    1. I can't imagine why it wouldn't be. You're body can still absorb the gelatin, so you should still see results from it.

      Lisa

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  28. I have recently start using Gelatine for my osteoarhiritus and I am amaze by the results. I have alot of relieve from pain and stiffness. I have also find that I am definitely loosing some weight too. My question is am I using enough paper day because I only take one teaspoon full of Gelatine in the morning dry and swallow it off with warm rooibos tea. Is the amount enough? Should I take more or less? Can someone please correct me whether it is the right way to use too? I do not dissolve it first I put a teaspoonful in my mouth and swallow it with tea. I'm not sleeping well so I read I should use some too before bedtime. Any feedback would be highly appreciated.

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    1. It sounds like you're taking the right amount...especially if you're seeing results. I'm glad the gelatin is helping your osteoarthritis! That is amazing! Gelatin can help you to sleep better if taken before bedtime. I like to dissolve it in water before I take the gelatin, but take it however you like.

      Lisa

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    2. So is the Jell-O-flavored cups in Walmart the same thing and if so how many cups a day would you eat

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    3. It actually is the same as the Jello cups. When I go on vacation I buy the sugar free ones and eat one a day. The cups definitely have less gelatin than in the recipe above, but they will certainly keep you on habit.

      Lisa

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  29. Great article! My grandma used to have us drink warm cherry jello when we had a sore/scratchy throat. It tastes wonderful and it coats the throat for a bit of relief! Some of the old home remedies still qork! We just got over covid and used it for that! Worked like it always did! 💕

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    1. Thanks! I did that when I got Covid too! Works like a charm!

      ~Lisa

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  30. Great article with helpful info and well-written. Do you know of a way to make jello without sugar and without unhealthy sugar substitute?

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    1. Thank you! Following the recipe above use twice as much plain gelatin and instead of water, warm up fruit juice as the liquid. Then don't add a packet of flavored gelatin mix. That should get you where you want to be in terms of flavorings and sweeteners!

      Lisa

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  31. Thank you so much for sharing! I need that jello as well my cat (7 yrs main coon) who is shedding too much. I will explore with frozen pineapple chunks, and strawberry and all frozen food I have for making my smoothies. About my cat I guess I have to add unflavored with some hot water in his wet food…

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