Homemade Gelatin (Regular or Sugar-Free)

[Lorna]

I can't have aspartame (Equal) and since most commercially packaged gelatins are made with aspartame I have found a recipe to make my own... with those cheap packets of unsweetened drink mix and Splenda granular. You can use sugar or aspartame if you choose.

Homemade Gelatin
Makes 2 cups

Sprinkle 1 envelope KNOX unflavoured gelatin into 1 cup cold water. Mix in 3/4 cup granular Splenda or sugar OR 10 packets Splenda and 1 tsp unsweetened powdered drink mix (like Kool-aid, Wyler's, Flavour-aid, etc). Stir until thoroughly dissolved. Add 1 cup boiling water and stir. Adjust amount of sweetener and drink mix to taste if needed (I never have). Chill until firm.

I usually mix this up and pour it into 1/2 pint canning jars. I like the fact that I can make "jello" with unusual flavours like "mango" (Flavour-aid brand found in the Mexican foods section of one of the grocery stores). The clear drink mixes offer an different looking treat. My kids ate up all 8 jars before I ever got to try one.

[Lorna]

I can't have aspartame (Equal) and since most commercially packaged gelatins are made with aspartame I have found a recipe to make my own... with those cheap packets of unsweetened drink mix and Splenda granular. You can use sugar or aspartame if you choose.

Homemade Gelatin
Makes 2 cups

Sprinkle 1 envelope KNOX unflavoured gelatin into 1 cup cold water. Mix in 3/4 cup granular Splenda or sugar OR 10 packets Splenda and 1 tsp unsweetened powdered drink mix (like Kool-aid, Wyler's, Flavour-aid, etc). Stir until thoroughly dissolved. Add 1 cup boiling water and stir. Adjust amount of sweetener and drink mix to taste if needed (I never have). Chill until firm.

I usually mix this up and pour it into 1/2 pint canning jars. I like the fact that I can make "jello" with unusual flavours like "mango" (Flavour-aid brand found in the Mexican foods section of one of the grocery stores). The clear drink mixes offer an different looking treat. My kids ate up all 8 jars before I ever got to try one.

[JudyandJim]

It sounds like you are trying to keep your recipes healthy, and that is great.

Keeping that in mind, I highly recommend that you replace the Splenda with Stevia Extract, a 100% natural herbal extract that sweetens. It can be found in any health food store or organic market.

While Splenda is widely used because it doesn't increase insulin levels, it is made with sucralose, which is a chemically synthesized POISON that is HIGHLY TOXIC! Just check out any natural health website, or do a Google search for "sucralose".. It was released with NO long term research, and questionable results on what little research they did do.

And don't believe the manufacturer's hype... They also said agent orange wouldn't hurt our troops, and that aspartame was safe to eat. Sadly, just because the FDA approves something, doesn't mean it is good for us. They have a long history of saying "ooops", too late.

[Lorna]

I low-carb... which many say is unhealthy. But it works for me (keeps my sugar levels in line). As far as Stevia... to me it has a very nasty after taste... ranks right up there with sacharrine. But I have heard others think it's just wonderful. But then I can't stand soy stuff either... it makes me physically sick. The great thing about this is that you can use whatever sweetener you choose and still get great (cheap) jello without being stuck using what the local stores think you want! You can even use cold fruit juice and omit the sweetener!

[JudyandJim]

I lo-carb also, and think it is the healthiest way to eat. I have only added stevia to protein shakes and didn't notice a flavor problem. However, I haven't eaten sweets or baked goods in so many years, that I have very little need for alternative sweeteners.

I think it is very sad that the food industry has resorted to such a bad alternative for all the "lo-carb" foods on the shelves. I salute you for making your's from scratch.