Gelatin is an ingredient for many different things, ranging from cosmetics to photographic film. However, it is most commonly used in foods such as Jell-O, one of many people’s childhood favorites. It is also a thickener in yogurts, ice cream, marshmallows, cakes, fruit gelatins, and puddings. Is this thickener gluten-free?
Gelatin is gluten-free. Gelatin comes from animal products, so there is no association with ingredients such as wheat, rye, barley, malt, or any of their derivatives. If you are looking for an alternative to gelatin, the best gluten-free alternatives include Fit Lane Agar Agar, Hoosier Hill Farm Fruit Pectic Powder and It’s Just! Xanthan Gum.
This versatile ingredient is created when animal products such as bones, ligaments, skin, and tendons are boiled in water. These parts most commonly come from cows and pigs, but it can vary. Let’s dig in!
Contents
- Is Gelatin Healthy?
- Gelatin Nutritional Facts
- Jell-O Products
- Healthy Gluten-Free Alternatives to Gelatin Products
- Agar-Agar
- Living Jin Agar Agar Powder
- Hoosier Hill Farm Agar Agar
- Fit Lane Agar Agar Powder
- Carrageenan
- Fit Lane Organic Kappa Carrageenan Powder
- Modernist Pantry Pure Refined Kappa Carrageenan
- Landor Trading Co Iota Carrageenan
- Pectin
- Kate Naturals Premium Fruit Pectin Powder
- Hoosier Hill Farm Fruit Pectic Powder
- Ball RealFruit Classic Pectin
- Xanthan Gum
- USA Flava Xanthan Gum
- It’s Just! Xanthan Gum
- Anthony’s Premium Xanthan Gum
- Final Thoughts
- Related Questions
Is Gelatin Healthy?
As long as gelatin isn’t mixed with large amounts of sugar like in some Jell-Os, gelatin is healthy! It is made from collagen, and it is a protein, allowing this ingredient to provide amino acids that can bring along many health benefits. Consuming a proper amount of collagen daily can help strengthen your hair, nails, and skin. Many people take it in powder form for this purpose. There is also the possibility that gelatin can reduce skin aging, improve brain function, and lessen bone and joint pain.
On the other hand, some people do not have the best experience when eating it. Heartburn and bloating are among a few of the possible symptoms. Some people are even allergic; if you have never eaten gelatin before, make sure to start with small quantities to ensure that your body will not react negatively to it.
Gelatin Nutritional Facts
Gelatin comes in many different forms and can serve a variety of purposes. Check out the many brands below!
Vital Proteins Beef Gelatin
Here is some important nutrition information to note (per serving):
- Calories: 70
- Total fat: 0g
- Total carbohydrate: 0g
- Total sugars: 0g
- Protein: 17g
These are the ingredients in the Vital Proteins Beef Gelatin:
- Bovine hide gelatin
Zen Principle Grass-Fed Beef Gelatin Powder
Here is some important nutrition information to note (per serving):
- Calories: 55
- Total fat: 0g
- Total carbohydrate: 0g
- Total sugars: 0g
- Protein: 13g
These are the ingredients in the Zen Principle Grass-Fed Beef Gelatin Powder:
- Bovine gelatin
Knox Unflavored Gelatin
Here is some important nutrition information to note (per serving):
- Calories: 5
- Total fat: 0g
- Total carbohydrate: 0g
- Total sugars: 0g
- Protein: 1g
These are the ingredients in the Knox Unflavored Gelatin:
- Gelatin
Great Lakes Unflavored Beef Gelatin
Here is some important nutrition information to note (per serving):
- Calories: 40
- Total fat: 0g
- Total carbohydrate: 0g
- Total sugars: 0g
- Protein: 11g
These are the ingredients in the Great Lakes Unflavored Beef Gelatin:
- Beef gelatin
Now Natural Foods Beef Gelatin Powder
Here is some important nutrition information to note (per serving):
- Calories: 35
- Total fat: 0g
- Total carbohydrate: 0g
- Total sugars: 0g
- Protein: 9g
These are the ingredients in the Now Natural Foods Beef Gelatin Powder:
- Pure beef gelatin
Further Food Premium Gelatin Powder
Here is some important nutrition information to note (per serving):
- Calories: 35
- Total fat: 0g
- Total carbohydrate: 0g
- Total sugars: 0g
- Protein: 9g
These are the ingredients in the Further Food Premium Gelatin Powder:
- Beef hide gelatin from grass-fed, pasture-raised bovine
Aspen Naturals Grass-Fed Beef Gelatin Powder
Here is some important nutrition information to note (per serving):
- Calories: 84
- Total fat: 0g
- Total carbohydrate: 0g
- Total sugars: 0g
- Protein: 21g
These are the ingredients in the Aspen Naturals Grass-Fed Beef Gelatin Powder:
- Gelatin
Jell-O Products
Jell-O Cherry Sugar-Free Gelatin Dessert
Here is some important nutrition information to note (per serving):
- Calories: 10
- Total fat: 0g
- Total carbohydrate: 0g
- Total sugars: 0g
- Protein: 1g
These are the ingredients in the Jell-O Cherry Sugar-Free Gelatin Dessert:
- Gelatin
- Adipic acid
- Disodium phosphate
- Maltodextrin
- Fumaric acid
- Aspartame (sweetener)
- Contains less than 2% of: artificial flavor, acesulfame potassium (sweetener), salt, red 40, blue 1
Jell-O Lime Sugar-Free Gelatin Dessert
Here is some important nutrition information to note (per serving):
- Calories: 10
- Total fat: 0g
- Total carbohydrate: 0g
- Total sugars: 0g
- Protein: 1g
These are the ingredients in the Jell-O Lime Sugar-Free Gelatin Dessert:
- Gelatin
- Adipic acid
- Sodium phosphate
- Maltodextrin
- Fumaric acid
- Contains less than 2% of: aspartame and acesulfame potassium (sweetener), natural and artificial flavor, salt, yellow 5, blue 1
Jell-O Strawberry Sugar-Free Gelatin Dessert
Here is some important nutrition information to note (per serving):
- Calories: 10
- Total fat: 0g
- Total carbohydrate: 0g
- Total sugars: 0g
- Protein: 1g
These are the ingredients in the Jell-O Strawberry Sugar-Free Gelatin Dessert:
- Gelatin
- Adipic acid
- Disodium phosphate
- Maltodextrin
- Fumaric acid
- Aspartame (sweetener)
- Contains less than 2% of: artificial flavor, acesulfame potassium (sweetener), salt, red 40
Jell-O Peach Gelatin Dessert
Here is some important nutrition information to note (per serving):
- Calories: 80
- Total fat: 0g
- Total carbohydrate: 19g
- Total sugars: 19g
- Protein: 2g
These are the ingredients in the Jell-O Peach Gelatin Dessert:
- Sugar
- Gelatin
- Adipic acid
- Contains less than 2% of: artificial flavor, disodium phosphate, sodium citrate, fumaric acid, red 40, yellow 6, blue 1
Jell-O Cranberry Gelatin Dessert
Here is some important nutrition information to note (per serving):
- Calories: 80
- Total fat: 0g
- Total carbohydrate: 19g
- Total sugars: 19g
- Protein: 2g
These are the ingredients in the Jell-O Cranberry Gelatin Dessert:
- Sugar
- Gelatin
- Adipic acid
- Contains less than 2% of: cranberry juice solids, natural flavor, disodium phosphate, fumaric acid, red 40, blue 1
Jell-O Lemon Sugar-Free Gelatin Dessert
Here is some important nutrition information to note (per serving):
- Calories: 10
- Total fat: 0g
- Total carbohydrate: 0g
- Total sugars: 0g
- Protein: 1g
These are the ingredients in the Jell-O Lemon Sugar-Free Gelatin Dessert:
- Gelatin
- Adipic acid
- Disodium phosphate
- Maltodextrin
- Fumaric acid
- Contains less than 2% of: natural and artificial flavor, aspartame and acesulfame potassium (sweeteners), yellow 5, yellow 6, BHA (preservative)
Jell-O Berry Blue Gelatin Dessert
Here is some important nutrition information to note (per serving):
- Calories: 80
- Total fat: 0g
- Total carbohydrate: 19g
- Total sugars: 19g
- Protein: 2g
These are the ingredients in the Jell-O Berry Blue Gelatin Dessert:
- Sugar
- Gelatin
- Adipic acid (for tartness)
- Contains less than 2% of: disodium phosphate and sodium citrate (controls acidity), fumaric acid (for tartness), natural and artificial flavor, blue 1
Healthy Gluten-Free Alternatives to Gelatin Products
Agar-Agar
Living Jin Agar Agar Powder
- Calories: 25
- Total fat: 0g
- Total carbohydrates: 6g
- Total sugars: 0g
- Protein: 0g
Ingredients:
- 100% Natural Red Seaweed
Hoosier Hill Farm Agar Agar
Nutrition Info:
- Calories: 20
- Total fat: 0g
- Total carbohydrates: 5g
- Total sugars: 0g
- Protein: 30g
Ingredients:
- Red algae (seaweed)
Fit Lane Agar Agar Powder
- Calories: 5
- Total fat: 0g
- Total carbohydrates: 1g
- Total sugars: 0g
- Protein: 0g
Ingredients:
- Agar-agar powder
Carrageenan
Fit Lane Organic Kappa Carrageenan Powder
- Calories: 17
- Total fat: 0g
- Total carbohydrates: 4g
- Total sugars: 0g
- Protein: 0g
Ingredients:
- Organic kappa carrageenan powder
Modernist Pantry Pure Refined Kappa Carrageenan
- Calories: 240
- Total fat: 0g
- Total carbohydrates: 60g
- Total sugars: 0g
- Protein: 0g
Ingredients:
- Kappa carrageenan
Landor Trading Co Iota Carrageenan
- Calories: 22
- Total fat: 0g
- Total carbohydrates: 5g
- Total sugars: 0g
- Protein: 0g
Ingredients:
- Iota carrageenan
Pectin
Kate Naturals Premium Fruit Pectin Powder
- Calories: 50
- Total fat: 0g
- Total carbohydrates: 15g
- Total sugars: 14g
- Protein: 0g
Ingredients:
- Dextrose
- Pectin
- Fumaric acid
Hoosier Hill Farm Fruit Pectic Powder
- Calories: 30
- Total fat: 0g
- Total carbohydrates: 8g
- Total sugars: 7g
- Protein: 0g
Ingredients:
- Dextrose
- Pectic
- Fumaric acid
Ball RealFruit Classic Pectin
- Calories: 0
- Total fat: 0g
- Total carbohydrates: 0g
- Total sugars: 0g
- Protein: 0g
Ingredients:
- Dextrose
- Fruit pectin
- Citric acid
Xanthan Gum
USA Flava Xanthan Gum
- Calories: 5
- Total fat: 0g
- Total carbohydrates: 1g
- Total sugars: 0g
- Protein: <1g
Ingredients:
- 100% xanthan gum
It’s Just! Xanthan Gum
- Calories: 5
- Total fat: 0g
- Total carbohydrates: 1g
- Total sugars: 0g
- Protein: 0g
Ingredients:
- Xanthan gum
Anthony’s Premium Xanthan Gum
- Calories: 5
- Total fat: 0g
- Total carbohydrates: 7g
- Total sugars: 0g
- Protein: <1g
Ingredients:
- Xanthan gum
Final Thoughts
Gelatin is a versatile and gluten-free ingredient that anyone with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity can eat. While it is known to provide both positive and negative benefits when regularly consumed, most people appreciate how it improves their skin, hair, and nails because it is made from collagen.
It is also a very low-calorie and straightforward ingredient. If it is in a Jell-O that does contain sugar, the calories are quite a bit higher; this is something essential to be aware of. Many other brands carry powdered gelatin that may be more beneficial. If you want to avoid gelatin, you can try substitutes such as agar-agar, carrageenan, pectin, and xanthan gum!
Related Questions
Is Gelatin Collagen?
Gelatin is made from collagen, and it is made when skin, bones, and cartilage are boiled in water.
Is Gelatin The Same As Pectin?
While both gelatin and pectin are powders that can be substituted for each other, they are not the same thing. Gelatin comes from animals or fish, while pectin comes from plants.
Is Gelatin Kosher?
Gelatin is Kosher-certified.
Is Gelatin A Protein?
Gelatin is a protein that comes from collagen.