Have you ever wondered if gelatine makes you fat or thin? Well, know that food, which is made from the bones, skin and tendons of animals, does not make you fat and can even be a great snack option for those who want to lose those extra pounds.
But it is necessary to be aware that it does not lose weight by itself, but rather contributes to the entire weight loss process, because dessert has few calories and also reduces hunger.
But it doesn’t stop there: consuming gelatine frequently makes your nails and hair stronger, protects your bones and also hydrates the body, since it is rich in water, in addition to bringing many other benefits.
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After all, does gelatine make you fat or not?
Gelatin is a food that, by itself, is not fattening. In fact, it can even help in weight loss and control, mainly because it is a food with low caloric value.
Traditional gelatine has only 56 calories per 100 gram serving. When taking into account the diet version, which does not have sugar in its composition, this value is even lower, with only 11 calories per serving.
Already research published in The Journal of Nutrition indicated that the dessert, in addition to being low in calories, is also able to reduce hunger.
That’s right, eating jelly makes you feel full faster. The result is a reduction in the amount of food, and hence calories, ingested with meals.
This increase in satiety happens because the dessert can absorb a large amount of water when prepared, expanding and taking up more space in the stomach.
Furthermore, using gelatine in the preparation of savory foods helps to reduce the use of fat. That’s because it forms a type of gel, which improves the texture, while maintaining the flavor and decreasing the caloric value of foods.
But this is not to say that it is not necessary to be moderate in consumption, as any food consumed in large quantities increases caloric intake.
In addition, those who want to lose those extra pounds should opt for the diet or flavorless version prepared with natural juice and avoid mixing gelatine with more caloric foods, such as milk.
What are the benefits found in dessert?
In each 100-gram portion of gelatin minerals such as calcium, iron, magnesium and phosphorus can be found, with more than 90% of its composition made up of water.
These mineral salts represent on average 4% of the total composition of the food, which stands out for being an important source of proteins, mainly collagen, representing 90% of its nutrients. On top of this, the food is full of amino acids important for health.
Strengthens nails and hair.
Among the main benefits of gelatine is the strengthening of hair and nails. This is due to the large amount of collagen found in it. This protein forms the so-called connective tissue, which is exactly where nails and hairlines form.
As a result, they are “born” stronger and less likely to break. Food replenishes the amino acids that are essential to maintain the strength of these regions.
Do you think it’s just that? Not even. Gelatine also acts as a kind of magnet that can attract and fix the minerals in the hair structure, leaving the strands shinier and silkier.
Makes the skin firmer.
The collagen, abundant in the gelatin, it is essential to maintain the structure of the skin, also favoring the recovery of injuries and maintaining the texture firmer and smooth.
In addition, by giving the skin more firmness and elasticity, the protein can fill in and mask small creases. With this, it treats and delays the appearance of expression lines.
Prevents bone and joint problems.
It has already been mentioned that collagen is part of the connective tissue, isn’t it? And it is precisely thanks to the presence of this protein that gelatin helps to prevent diseases that affect bones and tendons.
The explanation for this benefit is simpler than you think, since the food only replaces the protein lost over time and thus strengthens the regions, reducing the risk of problems such as fractures and “pain in the joints”.
Another factor that makes gelatin ideal for bones is the amino acids found in it, especially glycine and proline, which are responsible for creating the cells that make up connective tissue.
Increases daily water consumption.
Did you know that gelatin not only helps to cool you down on a hot day, but it can also prevent dehydration? Yes, and this is due to the food’s ability to absorb enough water during preparation.
Therefore, eating dessert helps to increase your daily water intake, making it ideal to be offered to children and the elderly.
But gelatin cannot be the only source of liquids, ok?! So don’t forget to drink water, especially on hot days.
Easy and healthy gelatin recipe
To make a super healthy and delicious jelly you will only need a packet of diet jelly in the flavor you want, water and pieces of fruit. Prepare the food according to the package instructions, add the fruits and refrigerate until it is very consistent.
Another option, free from dyes and more natural, is to use unflavored (colorless) gelatin and change the water to natural fruit juice, following the normal preparation method.
My name is Ellie Lauderdale, MD and I am USA based professional Nutritionist .
I am a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and board certified specialist in sports dietetics who is trained in integrative medicine. I have worked with hundreds of clients, from those suffering with chronic disease to professional and olympian athletes. My goal is to help optimize you from the inside so that you can feel, perform, and look your best on the outside.