Is Sugar Free Jello Keto Friendly?
A common question we always hear is ,Is sugar free jello keto friendly? Well ,this is such a complicated issue, but I’ll answer this question in detail. Let’s begin.
Actually , it depends. The majority of people will agree that jello is keto-friendly.
You may consume sugar-free jello or gelatin if you want to while following a ketogenic diet. For many, it truly comes down to your objectives and motivation for following the ketogenic diet.
To understand whether sugar-free jello is suitable for the keto diet, let’s first look at its elements.
What is jello?
At first let’s introduce with jello,
Jell-O, also known as jello, is a brand of gelatin desserts, no-bake cream cakes, and puddings. Kraft Heinz, based in Chicago, Illinois, owns the Jello trademark. Their most popular and signature product is the original gelatin dessert, also known as jello.Pearle Bixby and his wife trademarked a Jello which made from orange, strawberry, lemon, or raspberry flavoring that was added to granulated gelatin and sugar in Le Roy, New York in 1981.
Jello is now sold ready-to-eat or in powdered form, which contains powdered gelatin and flavorings such as artificial sweeteners or sugar.
How many jello flavors are there?
Jello comes in 29 different flavors, including seasonal, low-calorie/sugar-free, and so only available in prepared form.
Which jello flavours are sugar free?
There are nine jello flavours which are sugar free.These are :- Black Cherry, Cherry, Lemon, Lime, Orange, Peach, Raspberry, Strawberry, and Strawberry-Banana.
| Product | Calories | Fat | Protein | Total Carbs | Fiber | Net Carbs |
| Strawberry Flavor | 10 kcal | 0 gm | 1 gm | 0 gm | 0 gm | 0 gm |
| Black Cherry Flavor | 10 kcal | 0 gm | 1 gm | 0 gm | 0gm | 0 gm |
| Peach Flavor | 10 kcal | 0 gm | 1 gm | 0 gm | 0 gm | 0 gm |
| Cherry Flavor | 10 kcal | 0 gm | 1 gm | 0 gm | 0 gm | 0 gm |
| Raspberry Flavor | 10 kcal | 0 gm | 1 gm | 0 gm | 0 gm | 0 gm |
What is the sweetener in sugar-free jello?
Sugar-free jello, as shown in the table above, is indeed free of sugar and carbs. So, how is it still so sweet? Aspartame and Acesulfame Potassium are two artificial sweeteners used to sweeten sugar-free jello.
What is Aspartame?
Aspartame is a non-saccharide artificial sweetener that was developed in 1965. It is a common food and beverage additive that is 200 times sweeter than sucrose (common sugar).It is a methyl ester of the aspartic acid/phenylalanine dipeptide known by the brand names Equal, NutraSweet, and Canderel. Since its discovery, aspartame has been studied extensively, and it is one of the most thoroughly tested food ingredients.
There are claims that aspartame causes cancer, headaches, and even neurological effects, but there is no evidence of this in the numerous studies that have been conducted.
What is Acesulfame potassium?
Acesulfame potassium, also known as Ace-K or acesulfame K, is an artificial sweetener and sucrose substitute that is sold under the brand names Sunett and Sweet One and has the E950 code in the European Union.
It was found in 1967, has the chemical formula C4H4KNO4S, and is a powdery white crystal. Similar to aspartame, it has 200 times the sweetness of regular sugar.
Both sweeteners have FDA and EFSA approval in the United States and the European Union, respectively.
Keto and Aspartame
The warning is related to aspartame, the primary sweetener. And the warning is far less ominous than it appears and will not apply to the vast majority of people.
People with phenylketonuria (PKU), a genetic disorder, must avoid aspartame because phenylalanine can cause brain damage, intellectual disabilities, and seizures.This is not the case for the majority of people, but it is a good thing that companies make it clear to people with PKU to avoid.
Is aspartame linked to cancer?
This is a major concern for many people. I did some research and discovered that, according to the American Cancer Association, aspartame has not been officially linked to cancer.
However, if you read personal accounts, you will find many stories about migraines, stomach pain, and other unexplainable symptoms caused by aspartame.
So we don’t know which way to go. You’ll have to make your own decision.
I highly doubt that a box of sugar-free jello on rare occasions will do you any harm, but you’ll have to decide for yourself because I’m not a doctor or medical researcher, and I don’t sit in your body all day!
Is Sugar-Free Jello Good for You?
Sugar-free jello contains only 10 calories per serving, which come from the very little protein it contains, making it an ideal snack for dieters. However, as it is still a highly processed food, too much of anything is never healthy, so be mindful of how much you consume.
In addition, every package of jello contains a warning that it contains Phenylalanine. So, what exactly is phenylalanine and is it safe to consume? Phenylalanine is an essential alpha-amino acid found in mammalian breast milk. It is found in some analgesics and antidepressants, as well as as a dietary supplement. So, why is a warning issued?
The warning is intended for people who have phenylketonuria. Phenylketonuria is a genetic disorder that results in a lack of the enzyme phenylalanine hydroxylase, which is required to metabolize phenylalanine, and thus their bodies are unable to metabolize it.
Is sugar-free jello capable of knocking you out of ketosis?
Yes. Anything that raises blood sugar levels and increases insulin response can cause you to exit ketosis.
Because most sugar-free jello varieties contain maltodextrin, and maltodextrin has been shown to raise blood sugar in many people, I would say that in general, sugar-free jello will knock you out of ketosis.
Some people’s blood sugar levels are raised by the aspartame in sugar-free jello. If you insist on eating sugar-free gelatin, you’ll have to experiment to see if your body reacts the same way.
Conclusion
If you don’t limit your intake of processed foods, sugar-free jello is a great low-carb, low-calorie snack that can help you lose weight.
However, if you avoid eating processed foods, the best way to enjoy this delectable snack is to make it yourself.
