When looking for a sweet treat that won’t spike your blood sugar, many people turn to sugar-free options like Jell-O. But are there Jell-O products made with the natural sweetener stevia rather than artificial sweeteners? Let’s take a closer look.
What is Stevia?
Stevia is a natural sweetener extracted from the leaves of the stevia plant (Stevia rebaudiana). It contains steviol glycosides that provide a sweet taste but with minimal effect on blood glucose levels. Stevia has been used for centuries in some parts of the world and has gained popularity in recent years as a zero-calorie alternative to sugar.
Compared to artificial sweeteners like aspartame or sucralose, stevia is appealing to health-conscious consumers because it is plant-based and does not contain artificial ingredients. The acceptable daily intake (ADI) set by the FDA for steviol glycosides is 4 mg per kg body weight per day. This is much higher than the ADI for other non-nutritive sweeteners, indicating stevia is generally recognized as safe.
Sugar-Free Jell-O
Jell-O is a popular gelatin dessert marketed by Kraft Foods. The classic Jell-O powder contains sugar or artificial sweeteners like aspartame to provide a sweet flavor. Over the years, Kraft has introduced sugar-free Jell-O products sweetened with:
- Aspartame
- Sucralose
- Acesulfame potassium (Ace-K)
These artificial sweeteners allow people to enjoy sweet tasting Jell-O without the added sugar. However, there is interest among consumers for more natural sugar substitutes like stevia.
Jell-O Products with Stevia
Currently, Kraft does not offer any Jell-O products sweetened solely with stevia. However, some Jell-O products do contain stevia in combination with other sweeteners:
- Jell-O Sugar Free Chocolate Pudding – Contains sucralose and stevia leaf extract
- Jell-O Sugar Free Chocolate Fudge Instant Pudding – Contains sucralose and stevia leaf extract
- Jell-O Sugar Free Banana Cream Instant Pudding – Contains sucralose and stevia leaf extract
The addition of stevia allows these sugar-free puddings to have improved taste compared to versions containing only artificial sweeteners. However, stevia is not the main sweetener but rather used alongside sucralose.
Why Isn’t Stevia Used Alone in Jell-O?
There are a few potential reasons why Kraft has not released a Jell-O product sweetened purely with stevia:
Taste and Texture Considerations
Stevia has a different taste profile compared to sugar which some find metallic or bitter. Using stevia alone may produce a jelly texture or flavor that is less acceptable to consumers accustomed to traditional Jell-O sweetened with sugar or artificial sweeteners.
Cost Factors
Stevia extracts can be much more expensive than artificial sweeteners like aspartame and sucralose. Using only stevia would likely increase the manufacturing costs substantially compared to current sugar-free Jell-O products.
Regulatory Approval
Getting new food products approved by regulatory agencies takes time and resources. Kraft may not have sought approval for a stevia-only Jell-O because their current product line-up meets consumer demand.
Processing Challenges
Stevia extracts can be unstable under certain manufacturing conditions. There may be technical hurdles in developing a Jell-O product sweetened solely with stevia that achieves the necessary stability and shelf-life.
Are There Other Stevia Sweetened Jello Options?
While Kraft has not launched an exclusively stevia-sweetened Jell-O, there are some alternative gelatin dessert options sweetened only with stevia:
Simply Delish Jel Dessert
Simply Delish makes a stevia-sweetened gelatin product called Jel. It comes in a variety of natural fruit flavors and is sweetened using stevia leaf extract.
Dr. Oetker Stevia Gelatine
Dr. Oetker, a German food company, produces stevia-based gelatine. It is available in Europe and sweetened using steviol glycosides.
Stevita Stevia Gel and Erythritol
Stevita sells a gelatin mix set with stevia and erythritol, a sugar alcohol. It allows people to make sugar-free gummy candies and jello shots at home.
Make Your Own Sugar Free Jello with Stevia
For those interested in sugar free Jell-O specifically sweetened with stevia, it is possible to make it at home using a few simple ingredients:
Ingredients
- 1 packet unflavored gelatin powder (like Knox)
- 1 cup water
- Liquid stevia extract to taste
- Sugar free Jell-O powder – any flavor
Instructions
- Pour 1 cup water into a saucepan and sprinkle gelatin powder over top. Let sit 1 minute to bloom.
- Heat over low, stirring frequently until gelatin dissolves completely.
- Remove from heat and stir in liquid stevia drops to taste. Start with 10-15 drops and add more if desired.
- Add packet of sugar free Jell-O powder and stir until fully dissolved.
- Pour mixture into containers or molds and refrigerate until set, about 2 hours.
This easy homemade recipe lets you control the sweetness using stevia. Add fruits like raspberries or pineapple chunks for extra flavor.
Table Comparing Sweeteners in Jell-O
| Sweetener | Calories | Glycemic Index | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sugar | 16 cal per tbsp | 65 | Natural sweetener with moderate glycemic impact |
| Aspartame | 0 | 0 | Artificial sweetener, not recommended for phenylketonuria |
| Sucralose | 0 | 0 | Artificial sweetener, heat stable |
| Stevia | 0 | 0 | Natural, plant-based sweetener |
Conclusion
Currently, Kraft does not offer any Jell-O products sweetened purely with stevia, but some sugar free puddings do contain stevia along with sucralose. Alternatives like Simply Delish Jel use stevia alone to create sugar free gelatin desserts. For those wishing to avoid artificial sweeteners, it is also possible to make homemade Jell-O sweetened just with stevia for a naturally sweetened treat. Overall, stevia provides a zero-calorie, plant-based sweetening option for jelled desserts.