Is Sugar Free Jello Keto Friendly? (2024)

Well, is it? Is sugar free jello keto friendly?

This is such a loaded question, but I’ll answer it the way I tend to answer most of these keto questions lately: yes and no. For some, yes. For some, no.

It really depends. Most people will say yes, jello is keto friendly.

If you’ve had sugar free jello, take a deep breath. You’re totally fine. You won’t explode.

Whether or not you choose to eat sugar free jello or gelatin on the keto diet is up to you. For many, it really all depends on your goals and purpose for doing the keto diet.

First, let’s look at the ingredients in sugar free jello to get an idea of why it may or may not be right for the keto diet.

Try these Keto Rainbow Sugar Free Jello Cups (from the instant boxed jello)!

Sugar Free Jello Ingredients

Gelatin
Adipic acid (for tartness)
Maltodextrin (from corn)
Disodium phosphate (controls acidity)
Fumaric acid (for tartness—what’s up with the need for so much tartness??)
Aspartame (sweetener)
Less than 2% of: artificial flavor, acesulfame potassium (sweetener), salt (in some flavors), coloring

And at the end of each ingredient list is this warning: **Phenylketonurics: Contains Phenylalanine

Is anyone else slightly bothered that their seemingly harmless jello has a warning on the box?

Grab a Sugar Free Jello Sampler pack!

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Aspartame on Keto

The warning has to do with the aspartame, which is the main sweetener. And the warning is a lot less ominous than it sounds and won’t apply to most people.

I’ll tell you why.

There are people with a genetic disorder called phenylketonuria (PKU) that need to avoid aspartame because the phenylalanine can cause brain damage, intellectual disabilities, and seizures for them.

This is not the case for most people, but it’s good that companies make it obvious for people with PKU to avoid.

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Sugar Free Jello Without Aspartame

But, you may ask, do YOU eat sugar free jello that contains aspartame?

No. Not usually.

I think aspartame is disgusting. Just like any sugar free sweetener, aspartame is just not for some people.

Some people hate erythritol because of the cooling sensation experienced. Some people don’t like stevia because of the aftertaste. To me, aspartame has a chemical aftertaste that I just can’t stomach very often.

So I generally make my own gelatin when I’m in the mood. But I know lots of people are okay with aspartame, which is why I still post recipes with sugar free jello. Keep reading and I’ll give you a few options!

Love this? Try our sugar free ketogenic desserts!

Make Aspartame-Free Jello: Two Options

Boxed Natural Gelatin Mix

If you’re looking to make a sugar free gelatin without aspartame that you find in jello products, there are a couple options.

You can just grab a box of this keto friendly natural gelatin dessert.

It’s sweetened with erythritol and stevia and uses natural coloring.

Homemade Gelatin

Or, making your own from gelatin powder for a natural jello is super easy, too.

Use 4 packets of unflavored gelatin to 1 cup cold water and allow the gelatin to “bloom.” Boil 1 cup of water and dissolve ½ cup monkfruit sweetener (or erythritol if you prefer) in the water.

Add the hot water and sweetener and ½-1 teaspoon of whatever flavoring you like to the gelatin bowl. Whisk until everything is fully dissolved and then chill it in the fridge until set.

Easy peasy! Or get the full recipe for homemade Keto Sugar Free Raspberry Jello Cups using unflavored gelatin.

Sugar Free Jello Without Maltodextrin

Another sugar free sweetener in jello is maltodextrin. Maltodextrin is generally accepted by some on the keto diet, but is not considered an ideal way to sweeten keto treats. I don’t use it.

Maltodextrin is highly processed and usually sourced from rice, corn, or wheat, so if you’re staying away from grain or gluten on keto, this one is out.

It also has just as many calories as sugar and can potentially raise blood sugar quickly. Diabetics are often told by their doctors to stay away from maltodextrin for this reason.

Maltodextrin is also used in a lot of sugar free candies, so watch out for it there.

One reason to watch out is because of the digestive power of maltodextrin. It, um, improves colonic transit time, if you know what I mean.

If you want to spend some time full-on belly laughing, try reading the reviews from these Sugar Free Gummi Bears.

Seriously, Netflix can wait. This is serious entertainment!

Try this easy keto strawberries and cream dessert!

Can sugar free jello kick you out of ketosis?

Yes. Anything that affects blood sugar and increases insulin response can kick you out of ketosis.

Since Most sugar free jello varieties have maltodextrin, and maltodextrin has been shown to raise blood sugar in many people, then I would say in general sugar free jello will kick you out of ketosis.

The aspartame in sugar free jello also raises blood sugar for some people. If you’re dead set on eating sugar free gelatin, you’ll have to experiment on your own to see if your body responds the same way.