Are you looking for something that satisfies your sweet tooth and yet is very good for the gut? You might want to try and make the below gummies. These have become by kids favourites and we make then weekly or bi-weekly basis and they have them as a starter snack before breakfast.
I learnt about gelatine gummies from Sarah Wilson 'I Quit Sugar: Simplicious' book.
Gummies are made of gelatine, which is a collagen powder made from the bones, skin and connective tissues of animals. Collagen makes up to almost one-third of all the protein in our bodies and if you don't get enough of it- it affects our gut, joints and our skin. Gelatine is also naturally occurring in bone broth.
How should you buy and eat gelatine?
It's important to buy gelatine from pasture-raised cows.
The best gelatine comes as a powder and not sheets.
Start with 1/2-1 tablespoon of gelatine a day and gradually increase to 3-4 tablespoons a day.
As gelatine is a protein, it's important to consume it with fats to stimulate digestive juices and allow the body to use the protein properly.
Get gelatine made from complete collagen, not collagen hydrolysate, to make the gummies.
What are the health-benefits of gelatine?
Helps with digestion, constipation and to heal gut lining by boosting acid production and restoring mucosal lining.
Helps to lower joint pain and protects joints
Reduces heartburn, ulcers and acid reflux by binding gut acids with the foods.
Gelatine contains 8 amino acids, including (glycine, proline, hydroxyproline, glutamic acid, alanine, arginine, aspartic acid, lysine).
Helps your liver to detox and get rid of toxins by providing the amino acid glycine. Glycine can also help with anxiety.
Improves your skin health
Boosts metabolism and can therefore be used for weight loss.
Reduces inflammation and can even help to heal small tears in the cartilage.
Can also help with insomnia. If you take glycine before bed it can enhance your sleep quality, improve memory and reduce daytime sleepiness.
How to make gelatine gummies?
To make around 15 gummies, you can use the below basic recipe:
4 1/2 tablespoons of gelatine powder
1 1/2 cups chopped fruit or 1-1 1/2 cups (250-350 ml) of liquid
You can sweeten the gummies with rice malt syrup or liquid stevia, but these are optional.
Soak the gelatine in the 75ml (1/3 cups ) of cold water until dissolved. Let it stand for 5 minutes.
Heat the liquid or fruit (and sweetener if added) in a saucepan almost till the boiling point and till the fruit has softened. Take the saucepan off the heat and add the 'bloomed' gelatine and stir until properly mixed. Use a blender to puree the mixture.
You can then pour it into moulds (you can use any of your favourite moulds and even search for the gummy bears moulds if you like the shape of them) or a glass container. Cool a little bit and put in the fridge to set. If you used a glass container, then cut out squares. You can store the gummies in the airtight container in the fridge for up to a week.
I have also made the gummies, following the above recipe, with kiwi fruit and strawberries.
But you can also make them using coconut milk and vanilla extract; with mango, coconut milk or cream, lime, and a pinch of cardamom; from peaches, kombucha and vanilla extract or with cherry juice, lemons and raw honey.