Gelatin dessert
Common food
Photo: Wikipedia
Gelatin dessert is a wobbly, translucent confection made from gelatin, sugar, and flavoring, offering a uniquely bouncy, melt-in-the-mouth texture. It's a light, refreshing treat that is almost entirely carbohydrate-based, providing a quick source of energy with virtually no fat or fiber. Its iconic, jiggly form makes it a nostalgic staple in many cuisines, often served chilled in vibrant, fruity colors.
Calorie split: 8% protein · 92% carbs · 0% fat
↓ Full nutrition💚 Why it's loved
People love gelatin dessert for its playful, jiggly texture and the burst of sweet, often fruity flavor it delivers. Its versatility allows it to be molded into fun shapes, layered with other ingredients, or simply enjoyed as a simple, nostalgic comfort food.
⚠️ Watch-outs & how to enjoy it better
The high sugar content can cause rapid blood-sugar spikes, making it a poor choice for those managing diabetes or insulin resistance. To counteract this, pair a small portion with a source of protein or healthy fat (like nuts or yogurt) to slow sugar absorption, or opt for sugar-free versions. Additionally, gelatin is an animal-derived product (from collagen), so it is not suitable for vegetarians or vegans.
Key benefits
- Low in calories per serving
- Fat-free and cholesterol-free
- Provides a quick source of energy from carbohydrates
- Contains collagen-derived protein for joint and skin support
- Hydrating due to its high water content
🍽️ Popular dishes
🌍 Where it's eaten
💡 Did you know?
The first commercial gelatin dessert, Jell-O, was patented in 1845 by Peter Cooper, but it didn't become a household staple until 1897 when Pearle Bixby Wait added fruit flavors and marketed it as a dessert.
Full nutrition (USDA data · scales with serving)
| Water | 84.4 g |
| Energy | 60.0 kcal |
| Protein | 1.2 g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 0.00 g |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 14.2 g |
| Fiber, total dietary | 0.00 g |
| Total Sugars | 13.5 g |
| Calcium, Ca | 3.0 mg |
| Iron, Fe | 0.02 mg |
| Magnesium, Mg | 1.0 mg |
| Phosphorus, P | 22.0 mg |
| Potassium, K | 1.0 mg |
| Sodium, Na | 75.0 mg |
| Zinc, Zn | 0.01 mg |
| Copper, Cu | 0.02 mg |
| Selenium, Se | 1.1 ug |
| Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid | 0.00 mg |
| Thiamin | 0.00 mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.01 mg |
| Niacin | 0.00 mg |
| Vitamin B-6 | 0.00 mg |
| Folate, total | 1.0 ug |
| Folic acid | 0.00 ug |
| Folate, food | 1.0 ug |
| Folate, DFE | 1.0 ug |
| Choline, total | 0.50 mg |
| Vitamin B-12 | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin B-12, added | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, RAE | 0.00 ug |
| Retinol | 0.00 ug |
| Carotene, beta | 0.00 ug |
| Carotene, alpha | 0.00 ug |
| Cryptoxanthin, beta | 0.00 ug |
| Lycopene | 0.00 ug |
| Lutein + zeaxanthin | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) | 0.00 mg |
| Vitamin E, added | 0.00 mg |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3) | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin K (phylloquinone) | 0.00 ug |
| Alcohol, ethyl | 0.00 g |
| Caffeine | 0.00 mg |
| Theobromine | 0.00 mg |
Fat & fatty acid profile (per 100g)
| Fatty acids, total saturated | 0.00 g |
| SFA 4:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 6:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 8:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 10:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 12:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 14:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 16:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 18:0 | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 16:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 18:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 20:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 22:1 | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 18:2 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 18:3 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 18:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:5 n-3 (EPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:5 n-3 (DPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:6 n-3 (DHA) | 0.00 g |
| Cholesterol | 0.00 mg |
Amino acid profile (per 100g)
Estimated from Gelatin desserts, dry mix — USDA does not publish this profile for Gelatin dessert.
| Tryptophan | 0.00 g |
| Threonine | 0.15 g |
| Isoleucine | 0.12 g |
| Leucine | 0.25 g |
| Lysine | 0.35 g |
| Methionine | 0.06 g |
| Cystine | 0.00 g |
| Phenylalanine | 0.18 g |
| Tyrosine | 0.03 g |
| Valine | 0.21 g |
| Arginine | 0.68 g |
| Histidine | 0.07 g |
| Alanine | 0.82 g |
| Aspartic acid | 0.54 g |
| Glutamic acid | 0.89 g |
| Glycine | 1.9 g |
| Proline | 1.3 g |
| Serine | 0.27 g |
FAQ
Is gelatin dessert healthy?
It's a low-fat, low-calorie treat but is high in sugar and offers minimal nutritional value beyond a small amount of protein. It's best enjoyed in moderation as an occasional dessert.
Can I make gelatin dessert without sugar?
Yes, sugar-free versions use artificial sweeteners like aspartame or sucralose. These are suitable for low-sugar diets but may not have the same texture or flavor profile as traditional versions.
Is gelatin the same as collagen?
Gelatin is derived from collagen, the protein found in animal bones, skin, and connective tissues. When collagen is cooked and cooled, it forms gelatin, which gels when mixed with liquid.
Nutrient density (calculated · NRF9.3)
Nutrient Rich Foods index: beneficial nutrients (protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals) minus saturated fat, added sugar & sodium, per 100 kcal.
NRF9.3 index — Fulgoni, Keast & Drewnowski, 2009. Computed from USDA nutrients.
Weight-loss friendliness (composite index)
Energy density 0.60 kcal/g · 8% calories from protein · 0.0 g fiber · 13.5 g sugar per 100 g.
Composite of energy density (Rolls et al., 1999), protein & fiber satiety, minus sugar. A calculated heuristic — ranks satiety-per-calorie, not a clinical measure.
Dietary load (calculated from USDA values)
Potential renal acid load. Positive = acid-forming, negative = alkaline-forming.
Sodium-to-potassium ratio: 75.00 (lower is better — aim for ≤ 1)
Sodium:potassium per WHO potassium guidance. Computed from USDA nutrients.