Sugar-Free Fruity “Jello” (FP or E)

I grew up on boxed J-e-l-l-o and I'm sure many of you did too. Jigglers were a fun after school treat at my Granny's house and a treat I really loved. Trim Healthy Mama brought something new into my life, besides low-glycemic eating. THM introduced me to Gelatin. Not just any old gelatin, but 100% Organic Beef Gelatin. If you are new to this, I know what you are thinking...beef? "Eww. I don't want beef flavored desserts!" Rest easy. There is not even a hint of a beefy flavor in beef gelatin. Shew!

I know many of you skip to the recipes, but there is so much good info on gelatin out there, that I really hope you will take a few extra minutes to read this. You know how you give Jello to a sick kid or how hospitals give it to patients? Well, REAL Gelatin is actually healing to the tummy! On THM's website it says...

"Gelatin is hydrophilic in nature, which means it attracts water and forms a healing layer inside the mucosal lining of the digestive tract. It has been known to aid in more efficient digestion and breakdown of nutrients and has been named the 'Gut Healer.'" (found here)

It is also great for your joints and weight loss. Check out what WebMd has to say about beef gelatin.

“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.”

You can look up gelatin and see how beneficial it is on "Dr. Google" if you want. I'm sure you'll come to the same conclusion I have... Add MORE Gelatin to your diet! One thing I've missed the past few years was eating Jello. Sugar-Free Jello wasn't a great option for us because it's sweetened with sweeteners we're trying to avoid. (artificial) I am what you'd call a DTS or Drive Through Sue, so I'm not into complicated recipes. I like fast and easy. I avoided trying to make may own just because of this and I wish I'd have given is a shot much sooner! It. Was. Easy.

Ingredients:

2 cups water
5 tsp Just Gelatin or another Beef Gelatin (for Knox you only need 4 tsp)
1 cup frozen strawberries
1 cup unsweetened applesauce
splash of vanilla
1 Tbs THM Super Sweet Blend (or another on plan sweetener)
One bag of herbal fruity tea (optional)

*Flavor ideas: If you want to use other fruits, that's fine. You could use frozen raspberries or frozen blueberries. Just make sure they are frozen or VERY cold. You can use 2 cups of another frozen fruit in the place of the applesauce and strawberries even. I just like the combo. *The other idea is steeping the hot water with one fruity flavored herbal tea bag as you heat it. This would give a great PUNCH of flavor. There are so many varieties out there now that you could match them easily with the fruits you choose to use. *You could use all unsweetened applesauce and add cinnamon. That would make it a solid E for THM. Just make sure your applesauce is refrigerated and very cold first. Don't just grab it out of the pantry. JIGGLERS: Double the Gelatin amount. This is firm as is, but if you want those jiggler type, super firm squares, double the gelatin. Directions: Heat the water mixed with the gelatin until almost to a boil. If you are adding the herbal tea, this is the time. I've also used unsweetened almond milk just fine. I heated mine for 2 1/2 minutes in the microwave, but you can easily use the stove top. In a large Ninja or Bullet cup, add frozen berries, vanilla and sweetener. If you have a large food processor you could put the applesauce in it as well. Pour the HOT liquids/gelatin mix in the Ninja cup over the berries and process until the berries are smooth and not chunky. If you like fruity chunks in your jello, you can process it less. Pour it into a glass baking dish (9 by 9) or bowl. I then poured in the applesauce and mixed it in well. Like I mentioned, if you have a food processor big enough, mix it all together in there. It worked just fine for me even though I didn't mix it that way with the applesauce. Right at this point, I'd taste it to see if it's sweet enough. If not, you could add a little more sweetener. Refrigerate until set. Serves 4.

All strawberry "jello" made with unsweetened almond milk and topped with 0% Vanilla Greek Yogurt.

THM Questions: There is about 1/4 cup of unsweetened applesauce and 1/4 cup of strawberries in each serving. I'd personally keep this in an E setting if you do the applesauce. Gelatin does have some protein in it as well, but I add extra if I eat this as a snack. I had it with my breakfast today with a protein shake. You could put some yummy vanilla flavored 0% Greek yogurt on top or along side. You will need a bit more of an E fuel source, so this might be a nice E dessert to finish off an E meal that already has some carbs involved. I think it's something your kids will enjoy! Healthy for them in any fuel setting as they grow! *If you use mixed frozen berries or all strawberries or raspberries, you have yourself a most excellent Fuel Pull treat! **Fruit juice is added to many jello recipes. Fruit juice really effects your sugar levels, even if you use unsweetened juice. If you want that added flavor, I'd suggest using the herbal fruity teas.

Sugar-Free Fruity "Jello" (FP or E)

Author: Jennifer Griffin

Prep time: 2 mins

Cook time: 5 mins

Total time: 7 mins

Serves: 4

Sugar Free Fruity Jello that's a E or FP on the THM plan. If you use unsweetened applesauce in the recipe, I'd keep it as an E snack or Dessert. If you use all berries, it can be a Fuel Pull. Enjoy!

Ingredients

2 cups water
5 tsp Just Gelatin or another Beef Gelatin (for Knox you only need 4 tsp)
1 cup frozen strawberries
1 cup unsweetened applesauce
splash of vanilla
1 Tbs THM Super Sweet Blend (or another on plan sweetener)
One bag of herbal fruity tea (optional)

Instructions

Heat the water mixed with the gelatin until almost to a boil. If you are adding the herbal tea, this is the time. I've also used unsweetened almond milk just fine. I heated mine for 2 1/2 minutes in the microwave, but you can easily use the stove top.
In a large Ninja or Bullet cup, add frozen berries, vanilla and sweetener. If you have a large food processor you could put the applesauce in it as well.
Pour the HOT liquids/gelatin mix in the Ninja cup over the berries and process until the berries are smooth and not chunky. If you like fruity chunks in your jello, you can process it less.
Pour it into a glass baking dish (9 by 9) or bowl.
I then poured in the applesauce and mixed it in well. Like I mentioned, if you have a food processor big enough, mix it all together in there. It worked just fine for me even though I didn't mix it that way with the applesauce. Right at this point, I'd taste it to see if it's sweet enough. If not, you could add a little more sweetener.
Refrigerate until set.
-------------------------------------------------
Ideas:
*Flavor ideas: If you want to use other fruits, that's fine. You could use frozen raspberries or frozen blueberries. Just make sure they are frozen or VERY cold. You can use 2 cups of another frozen fruit in the place of the applesauce and strawberries even. I just like the combo.
*The other idea is steeping the hot water with one fruity flavored herbal tea bag as you heat it. This would give a great PUNCH of flavor. There are so many varieties out there now that you could match them easily with the fruits you choose to use.
*You could use all unsweetened applesauce and add cinnamon. That would make it a solid E for THM. Just make sure your applesauce is refrigerated and very cold first. Don't just grab it out of the pantry.
JIGGLERS: Double the Gelatin amount. This is firm as is, but if you want those jiggler type, super firm squares, double the gelatin.

This recipe is a base recipe. Use it, but do what suits your own family best. Use the frozen fruits you enjoy. Add the herbal tea. Make it Jiggle or leave it softer. No matter how you make it, I think it's a nice treat for the whole family. (This post contains affiliate links.)

About Jennifer

Hello there! I’m Jennifer and Welcome to my website – A Home with Purpose. My passion is sharing Christ’s Love and recipes with my Trim Healthy Mama friends. Learn more about me here...