Jello is a light dessert that’s low in calories and fat. But that doesn’t make it healthy.
It contains either sugar or artificial sweeteners, offers little nutritional value, and is made from gelatin—a protein derived from animal collagen.
Since 1897, jello has been a staple in American diets, showing up in school lunches, hospital meals, and diet plans.
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Available on the App StoreThe brand name “Jell-O” is trademarked by Kraft Foods and covers a range of products from gelatin desserts to puddings.
Here’s what you should know about jello before eating it.
What is jello?
Gelatin is the main component of jello. It comes from animal collagen—the protein found in skin, tendons, ligaments, and bones.
Animal parts from cows and pigs are boiled, dried, and treated with acid or base to extract collagen. This collagen is then dried and powdered to produce gelatin.
Despite what you may have heard, jello isn’t made from animal hooves. Hooves contain keratin, a protein that can’t be converted to gelatin.
Jello is sold as either a powder mix or a ready-to-eat dessert. Making it at home involves dissolving the powder in hot water. As it cools, the collagen restructures into a semi-solid gel—that classic wobbly texture.
Summary: Jello is made from gelatin, a protein extracted from animal skins and bones. When dissolved in hot water and cooled, it forms a gel.
Additional ingredients
Beyond gelatin, packaged jello contains sweeteners, flavors, and colors.
Sweeteners are either sugar or artificial sweeteners like aspartame. Sugar-free versions use no-calorie sweeteners to reduce calories.
Flavors typically come from artificial flavorings—chemical blends designed to mimic natural tastes like strawberry or cherry.
Colors can be natural (from beet or carrot juice) or synthetic. Despite growing consumer preference for natural dyes, many products still contain artificial colors like Red #40, Yellow #5, or Blue #1.
Example ingredient lists:
- Strawberry Jell-O: sugar, gelatin, artificial flavor, red dye #40
- Sugar-free Black Cherry: gelatin, aspartame, maltodextrin, artificial flavor, blue dye #1
Always check the label to know exactly what you’re eating.
Is jello vegetarian?
Traditional Jell-O is not vegetarian or vegan. Gelatin comes from animal bones and skin.
Vegetarian alternatives exist that use plant-based gelling agents like agar (from seaweed) or carrageenan. You can also make your own vegetarian jello at home using these substitutes with fruit juice.
Summary: Standard jello isn’t vegetarian due to its gelatin content. Plant-based alternatives using agar or carrageenan are available.
Is jello healthy?
Jello is low in calories and fat-free, which is why it shows up in diet plans. But that doesn’t make it healthy.
A single serving (21 grams of dry mix) provides:
- 80 calories
- 1.6 grams of protein
- 18 grams of sugar (about 4.5 teaspoons)
That’s a lot of sugar with almost no fiber, vitamins, or minerals.
Sugar-free jello (6.4 grams dry mix) has only 13 calories and 1 gram of protein, but it contains artificial sweeteners like aspartame or sucralose, which have their own concerns.
Gelatin and health
While jello itself isn’t particularly nutritious, gelatin—its main ingredient—does have some research backing its health benefits.
A 2023 review of the evidence found that hydrolyzed collagen supplementation may improve skin elasticity and hydration, increase bone strength and density, and reduce joint pain and stiffness.1
A systematic review of 15 randomized controlled trials found that collagen peptide supplementation, combined with exercise, may benefit degenerative bone and joint disorders.2
Suggested read: 6 Health Benefits of Taking Collagen Supplements
However, there’s an important caveat: the collagen content in a serving of jello is far lower than the doses used in these studies (typically 5–15 grams daily). Eating jello is unlikely to provide meaningful collagen benefits.
The sugar in regular jello may actually counteract any potential benefits, since high sugar intake is linked to increased inflammation and accelerated skin aging.
Summary: Jello is low in calories but high in sugar and nutritionally empty. While gelatin has health potential, jello doesn’t contain enough to matter.
Potential downsides
Before eating jello regularly, consider these potential concerns.
Artificial colors
Many jello products contain synthetic dyes like Red #40, Yellow #5, Yellow #6, and Blue #1. These petroleum-derived colorings have raised health concerns.
A 2022 systematic review by the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment found evidence linking synthetic food dyes to adverse behavioral outcomes in children. Of 25 challenge studies examined, 64% showed a positive association between food dye exposure and behavioral changes.3
A meta-analysis estimated that about 8% of children with ADHD may have symptoms related to synthetic food colors.4
In Europe, foods containing these dyes must carry warning labels about potential effects on children’s activity and attention. The FDA still allows them in the US, though this is under increasing scrutiny.
Artificial sweeteners
Sugar-free jello contains artificial sweeteners like aspartame or sucralose.
Research on artificial sweeteners is mixed. Some studies suggest they may affect gut bacteria, potentially disrupting the balance of beneficial microbes that support digestive health.
Despite being marketed for weight management, evidence doesn’t consistently show that artificial sweeteners help with weight loss. Some research suggests regular consumption may even promote weight gain.
Suggested read: 13 Effective Substitutes for Eggs in Baking and Cooking
If you prefer to avoid artificial sweeteners, consider stevia-sweetened alternatives or making your own jello at home.
Gelatin allergies
Gelatin allergies are rare but can occur. Symptoms range from hives to severe anaphylactic reactions.
Some research suggests that exposure to gelatin in vaccines may increase sensitivity to gelatin in food. If you suspect a gelatin allergy, an allergist can perform testing.
Summary: Jello’s artificial colors and sweeteners raise health concerns. Food dyes have been linked to behavioral issues in children. Gelatin allergies, while rare, are possible.
The bottom line
Jello is made from gelatin, which comes from animal bones and skin. It’s not suitable for vegetarians or vegans unless made with plant-based alternatives.
While it’s low in calories, jello isn’t particularly nutritious. It’s high in sugar (or artificial sweeteners) and often contains synthetic dyes that may affect children’s behavior.
The gelatin in jello does contain collagen, but not enough to provide the benefits seen in collagen supplement studies.
If you enjoy jello, making your own at home with gelatin and real fruit juice is a healthier option than packaged mixes. You’ll avoid the artificial colors and control the sweeteners.
Suggested read: Collagen — What It Is and What It’s Good For
de Miranda RB, Weimer P, Rossi RC. Effects of hydrolyzed collagen supplementation on skin aging: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Int J Dermatol. 2021;60(12):1449-1461. PubMed ↩︎
Kirmse M, Oertzen-Hagemann V, de Marées M, Bloch W, Platen P. The effects of collagen peptide supplementation on body composition, collagen synthesis, and recovery from joint injury and exercise: a systematic review. Amino Acids. 2021;53(10):1493-1506. PubMed ↩︎
Holzman DC, Goldenring JR, Shafer A, Miller MD, Marder E. Potential impacts of synthetic food dyes on activity and attention in children: a review of the human and animal evidence. Environ Health. 2022;21(1):45. PubMed ↩︎
Nigg JT, Lewis K, Edinger T, Falk M. Meta-analysis of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder symptoms, restriction diet, and synthetic food color additives. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2012;51(1):86-97.e8. PubMed ↩︎
Sarah M.
Linda P.
Maya T.
Marcus J.
Emma R.
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