Coconut-Vanilla Jello Cubes for Gut Health
If you ever loved “finger Jell-O”, “Knox Blox”, (or Jell-O shooters), these Coconut-Vanilla Jello Cubes are for you! When I was a kid, my mom would make “finger Jell-O” with Knox gelatin and fruit juice, for a healthier version without the added sugar. Recently, as I’ve been trying to find ways to incorporate more protein into my diet, strengthen my hair, and improve my joint health, I’ve turned to an old childhood favorite, gelatin!
Gelatin is not only good for healthy hair, skin, nails, and connective tissue, it’s also very beneficial in healing your gut lining too. And most of us could use a little TLC when it comes to our intestinal lining, as years of wear and tear can cause damage to the gut lining. I prefer using Vital Protein’s clean beef gelatin (not made from horse hooves!) And you will always save 20% when you purchase through my Fullscript Dispensary.
I tried making a few varieties of gelatin + juice (pink grapefruit is one of my favs), but they were always so high in sugar. (News flash: the body doesn’t know the difference between fruit sugar and other sugars. And fructose is one thing that definitely spikes blood sugar.) Then I realized that we use a lot of coconut milk and coconut water, and maybe that would be a good combo. I made these Coconut-Vanilla Jello Cubes and they were a huge hit with Captain Kirk. Our friends loved them too and asked for the recipe. So I thought I’d share it with you here as well. They taste a bit like tapioca pudding. Sooooo gooooood!!
Health benefits of gelatin
As I mentioned above, gelatin is not only good for healthy hair, skin, nails, and connective tissue, it has a host of other health benefits as well.
- Gelatin is a protein derived from collagen, a material found in the bones, cartilage, and skin. And when our ancestors used to eat the whole animal, bones, sinew, and all, they would naturally ingest a lot of collagen. Unfortunately today, most of us cringe at the thought of eating bones, hides, and tendons, and so we miss out on the vital nutrients they provide. Gelatin to the rescue!
- It’s a not-so-fun fact that collagen in our skin breaks down with age. This can lead to the dreaded wrinkles and saggy skin. The good news is that studies have shown consuming collagen/gelatin improves skin’s hydration and reduces wrinkles as well.
- The proteins in gelatin support the gut lining, including building the protective mucus lining in your intestines. Our mucosal barrier is one thing that breaks down with leaky gut, IBS, and other digestive disorders. And gelatin also contains glutamic acid, an amino acid that helps to prevent enhanced intestinal permeability (EIP), or leaky gut.
- Glycine, another amino acid found in gelatin, may help manage blood sugar levels. Considering that only 12% of us have healthy blood sugar levels, that’s a great reason to eat more gelatin!
- Gelatin also strengthens connective tissue (tendons and ligaments) which can help relieve joint pain. And it contains lysine, which can help strengthen bones. Plus, it improves calcium absorption, which can help prevent osteoporosis and osteopenia.
- Lastly, gelatin is also an excellent source of these important nutrients: calcium, magnesium, folate, choline, and selenium. So lots of health-boosting reasons to eat gelatin.
One word of caution when it comes to eating gelatin. If you are on a low-histamine diet or have Mast Cell Activation Syndrome or Histamine Intolerance, some reports indicate gelatin can increase histamines. So you may want to check with your wellness practitioner, avoid gelatin or eat it in moderation.
Coconut-vanilla jello cubes for dessert
These bite-size cubes make a great snack. And you can dress them up in a variety of ways to make a delicious dessert too! Bonus, they don’t contain any added sugar, and the coconut milk and coconut water are sweet enough. Try cutting smaller cubes and adding fresh or frozen berries. Like a dairy-free version of berries and cream custard. Or sprinkle the smaller cubes with coconut flakes and grated chocolate, sprinkled with pistachio nuts.
Coconut-Vanilla Jello Cubes
Equipment
- 1 6"x9" or 8"x8" glass pan with snap-on lid
Ingredients
- 4 TBSP gelatin I love Vital Proteins Gelatin (save 20% at my Fullscript Dispensary https://us.fullscript.com/welcome/hwl).
- 1.5 cups hot water
- 1 cup full-fat coconut milk Try Trader Joe's 100% coconut milk, (or look for other brands that are 100% coconut milk, with zero gums, fillers, or preservatives).
- 1 cup coconut water Look for 100% coconut water with zero added sugar or anything else.
- 1 TBSP pure vanilla
Instructions
- Put 4 TBSP gelatin in bottom of glass pan
- Heat water, and pour 1.5 cups hot water into pan, stirring constantly with a fork until all gelatin is dissolved
- Pour in 1 cup full-fat coconut milk, and stir to mix well
- Pour in 1 cup coconut water, and stir to mix well
- Add in 1 TBSP vanilla, and stir to mix well
- Put lid on pan and refrigerate for 6 hours
- Cut into 1" cubes
- Eat as a snack, or cut into smaller cubes and add to fresh or frozen berries for dessert.
So many ways to eat these easy-to-make and delicious Coconut-Vanilla Jello Cubes. Please leave a comment to let us know how you dressed yours up.
