One of my favorite childhood treats has to be Jello. It’s got a lot of things going for it: jiggly, fruity, colorful and fun! Of course, it is also full of refined sugars and artificial colors – both things that I avoid these days in order to support my health and manage my autoimmune disease. So what’s a girl to do when she’s nostalgic for a childhood favorite? Enter these tasty and good for you AIP-friendly Blueberry Gummies!
Made with both health and yumminess in mind, these gummies are brimming with berry goodness. Frozen blueberries provide powerful antioxidants to combat inflammation. A little lemon juice helps to add a tangy twist and a dose of vitamin C. And of course, we can’t forget the jiggle!
Grass-fed gelatin provides that jiggle and is rich in amino acids, such as glycine and proline, which support gut health. These amino acids can help repair and strengthen the intestinal lining, reducing gut permeability (leaky gut) which is associated with autoimmune disease. Gelatin also promotes a healthy gut microbiome, which plays a vital role in immune function and overall wellness.
Sweetened naturally with just a touch of honey, these gummies are a guilt-free indulgence that will make you feel like a kid again!
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AIP Friendly Blueberry Gummies
Equipment
- Blender
- Saucepan
- Measuring cups
- Silicone molds or glass pyrex dish
- Knife
- Air tight storage container
Ingredients
- 2 cups Frozen organic blueberries
- 1.5 cups Water
- 0.25 cups Lemon juice
- 0.5 cups Grass-fed gelatin powder (I use Great Lakes brand)
- 2-3 tbsp Honey
Instructions
- Place water, lemon juice and bluberries in a blender and blend until smooth. You may need to add up to 1/4 cup more water during this step if mixture is extra thick.
- Pour contents of blender into a saucepan and add the gelatin and honey to the mixture. Whisk to combine.
- Heat contents of saucepan over low heat, whisking until mixture thins and all ingredients are incorporated.
- Remove from heat and pour into silicone molds or a glass pyrex dish.
- Place in fridge and allow to set for at least 1 hour.
- Remove from fridge. If using silicone, remove the gummies from the mold and slice into squares, if needed. If using a glass dish, slice into squares and then remove from dish for storage. Store in an airtight container.
- Keeps in fridge for up to 2 weeks. Note: Because there are no preservatives, it is possible for mold to grow on gummies as you approach the 2 week mark. Discard at first sign of mold.
- These will freeze well for up to 6 months.
Notes
- I use more water and less lemon juice in my recipe to try and cut down on the amount of honey needed. Feel free to play with the ratios of liquids and/or amount of honey to satisfy your taste.
- Blueberries may be swapped out for another fruit. Other berries are a good choice as, like blueberries, they are rich in antioxidants and have a lower sugar content than many other fruits. If using raspberries, you may want to strain the heated mixture to remove the seeds.
- This recipe is enough for an 8x8 inch silicone mold. It is easily halved if you are using small shaped molds and require less mixture.
Sources:
Kalt, W., Cassidy, A., Howard, L. R., Krikorian, R., Stull, A. J., Tremblay, F., & Zamora-Ros, R. (2020). Recent Research on the Health Benefits of Blueberries and Their Anthocyanins. Advances in nutrition (Bethesda, Md.), 11(2), 224–236. https://doi.org/10.1093/advances/nmz065
Chen, Q., Chen, O., Martins, I. M., Hou, H., Zhao, X., Blumberg, J. B., & Li, B. (2017). Collagen peptides ameliorate intestinal epithelial barrier dysfunction in immunostimulatory Caco-2 cell monolayers via enhancing tight junctions. Food & function, 8(3), 1144–1151. https://doi.org/10.1039/c6fo01347c
Great recipe! I look forward to trying this with other fruits!