Who doesn’t love a good gummy! Now if you attach the health benefits of collagen to the simplicity of producing the product, the result is a no-brainer when it comes to making this super simple snack!
This recipe started out as the goodie bag filler for the boys’ 9th birthday! We had a wildlife expert come to put on a demonstration of several different animals so they fit right in with our theme! We used these large animal molds and these small animal/insect molds. It was a big hit!
Let’s dig into some of the health benefits of making your own gummies at home using high-quality gelatin from the Great Lakes Gelatin website,
Collagen 101
Protein, considered the building block of metabolism, is the second most plentiful substance in the body (after water). It is needed for the growth and repair of every cell in the body. Up to 40% of the body is made up of connective tissue with 70% of the connective tissue being collagen.
This is an especially important consideration for children as they are in an enhanced state of growth and repair.
Collagen is the protein that forms connective fibers in tissues such as skin, ligaments, cartilage, and bones. Collagen acts as a kind of intracellular glue that gives support, shape, and bulk to blood vessels, bones, and organs including the heart, kidneys, and liver. Collagen is also required for the repair of blood vessels, bruises, and broken bones.
Again, children are forming the foundation of their lifelong structure. We want them to have resilient, strong bodies that can withstand the stressors that they will encounter with sport and life in general.
After the age of 25 the body’s natural ability to produce amino acids diminishes, but supplementing the diet with collagen protein can help. Collagen Hydrolysate is unique in its amino acid profile because it contains high amounts of glycine, proline, and hydroxyproline. Other protein food supplements contain much lower levels of these key amino acids.
Here we circle back to the benefits of collagen for us as adults. This is huge for tissue repair via collagen synthesis.
Both cartilage and bone in joints are subject to continual physical stress, so they are constantly being broken down and replaced. The cartilage that covers the surface of joints is composed of cells called chondrocytes. These cells are embedded in an extracellular matrix containing collagen fibers and other molecules linked into an integrated network with hyaluronic acid. A diet devoid of ample protein to combat the collagen breakdown can result in sore or damaged joints.
Joint health, are you interested? Well, I am! In order to move well, we need to have healthy joint motion! Proper movement training is one way to encourage this, but nutrition and appropriate supplementation are also essential!
I love to pack the gummies as a quick and sustaining energy booster between clients at work. The dummies are perfect as I can pop them in my purse, and nothing gets stuck in my teeth!!
They are also a perfect fit for the lunchbox! This was William’s lunchbox that was packed along with a hot thermos of spaghetti and meatballs. The lunch needed to be kept at room temp… and the little owl gummy fit right in.
Ok, if you are not convinced by now to enjoy these little creations, here is one last point!!
They do not drop any crumbs!!
Onto the recipe:
Ingredients
1 1/2 cups unsweetened fruit juice
1/3 cup gelatin (I like this brand)
1/4 cup raw honey*
1 probiotic capsule* (Use this brand as it is heat resistant)
Putting it all together
Bring the juice to a boil over high heat. Then remove the saucepan from the heat and pour the liquid into a large, wide-mouth bowl.
Sprinkle the gelatin over the hot juice and allow it to absorb most of the liquid (it takes about 5 minutes). Make sure to spread out the gelatin so it does not clump.
Whisk the gelatin into the juice well, then pour the mixture back into the saucepan and return it to the heat. Bring it to a low simmer and keep whisking until all of the gelatin is absorbed.
Pour the gelatin mixture back into the large bowl and let it cool until it is just warm to the touch. Add in the honey and probiotic capsule if you are using them.
Use a dropper, small measuring cup or turkey baster to fill your chosen gummy molds. Refrigerate overnight until set. Store in a sealed container for up to three weeks!