Strawberry Lemonade Fruit Snacks Recipe – GAPS, Paleo, Whole30
This strawberry lemonade fruit snacks recipe is packed with protein and collagen while satisfying a sweet treat craving. We love making these in the summertime as a simple and easy, yet filling snack. They are refreshingly cold and great for warm weather.
Health Benefits of Gelatin
If you Google “health benefits of gelatin” or “health benefits of collagen”, you will find no shortage of high praise or research claiming these miracle foods can cure ailments and promote longevity. I definitely agree with these claims, when we are speaking of the whole food sources of gelatin and collagen (like drinking homemade broth and eating bone marrow). In recent years, some health experts have been speaking out against the use of commercial gelatin and collagen powders. Despite the controversy, our family continues to enjoy homemade fruit snacks. Perhaps this will eventually change. It is interesting to learn more as research continues to unfold, and we all need to discern what is healthiest for our own bodies and families.
Controversy About Gelatin and Collagen Powders
Commercial gelatin and collagen are processed foods. Some people do not believe consuming processed gelatin or collagen powders are healthy. They instead promote consuming actual (non-processed) gelatin and broth from broth and bone marrow. This debate may be considered somewhat similar to Vitamin C; many health proponents believe all vitamin C should come from whole food sources. Others are more lenient and feel commercial vitamin C is acceptable, so long as it is derived from whole foods, such as acerola or berries. Still others will have a more liberal approach and consume Vitamin C as ascorbic acid, which is devoid of essential minerals and nutrients that aid in bodily absorption.
Gelatin and the GAPS Diet Protocol
Many treats, such as healthy, homemade marshmallow fluff or homemade gummy bears have been recommended for those following the GAPS diet. Our family has made both recipes regularly, even in the very beginning when we had much healing to do. In 2017, Dr. Natasha, the creator of the GAPS diet protocol, recommended against the use of commercial gelatin or collagen powders. She instead recommends to use actual gelatin (as in from making broth).
Dr. Natasha: “Gelatin and Collagen Powders Are Too Processed”
At a Weston A Price conference, Dr. Natasha was questioned on the use of gelatin and collagen powders and if these fit in with the GAPS protocol. Dr. Natasha shared:
“I’m not fond of hydrolyzed proteins, gelatins. It’s much better to make fresh stock, fresh broth. You’ll get plenty. That’s where they get it from, it isn’t processed. (Commercial gelatin and collagen have) too much processing. I don’t use it. Too processed. Too processed. Too much processing. No commercial gelatin. No commercial collagen. None of that. Only what you cook yourself.” (source)
Our Family Use of Commercial Gelatin
After more research, our family no longer uses collagen powder in any form. We do still use gelatin powder, on occasion. We believe in the healing tenets of consuming the whole foods according to the GAPS protocol, Weston Price diet, and the root cause protocol minerals (which advise against commercial collagen powder). These three protocols/ways of life have been life-giving to our family and our health, so we do try to stick to the general principles as best as we can.
With this said, while we we do consume large amounts of gelatin in broth and bone marrow, we also consume commercial grass-fed gelatin powder on occasion. We have still experienced much healing. Perhaps this is despite our occasional use of commercial gelatin. Perhaps it is personal bias, or the fact that it is not a regular staple that I feel comfortable using this for our family. As our bodies heal, we can balance our daily good habits with occasional “off-protocol” treats. This is different, in my opinion, than daily consumption of ascorbic acid Vitamin C or collagen peptides in morning coffee.
Strawberry Lemonade Fruit Snacks Recipe – GAPS, Paleo, Whole30 Recipe
Equipment
- snack molds
- 9×13 pan
Ingredients
- 4 cups water
- 2 cups strawberries pureed
- 1 cup grass-fed gelatin powder
- 3/4 cup honey (raw is best)
- 1/2 cup pure lemon juice (fresh squeezed or store bought-check ingredients)
Instructions
- In a saucepan, over medium heat, mix water, honey, and lemon juice.
- Stir until lemon juice and honey are dissolved into the water and the liquid is warm.
- Slowly add gelatin powder to the sauce pan, mixing quickly with a whisk or immersion blender until it is incorporated.
- Whisk or blend in pureed strawberries until mixture is smooth.
- Pour into 9×13 pan or snack molds of choice.
- Refrigerate or freeze until hardened into gummies.
- Pop fruit snacks out of molds or cut in.to desired sizes and store in the refrigerator
Notes
Recipe Notes
- I recommend having all ingredients pre-measured and ready before beginning the recipe. If the mixture is not made fast enough, it can get clumpy.
- Be sure to pour gelatin in slowly, while stirring/blending quickly, to prevent clumps of gelatin from forming/not incorporating into the mixture.
- This recipe calls for powdered gelatin, which is different than collagen. Collagen will not produce a gelled fruit snack.
- You can substitute any liquid for the water to change flavor or nutrients, such as coconut water or orange juice. Whole30 does not include honey, so swap accordingly.
- You can substitute other berries for the strawberries. Sometimes we use half blueberries or raspberries. Our kids like the strawberry lemonade flavor best.
I hope you and your family enjoy this recipe as much as we do! Please let me know your feedback and favorite recipe variations in the comments.
Resources
Posts
Healthy Marshmallow Recipe (GAPS, Paleo, Vegan, Sugar-Free)
High Mineral Foods
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What a cool recipe! I have not ever made gummies at home, but I want try these now, the recipe looks simple enough. The information about gelatin or collagen powder sure is interesting. I did not know that there was a debate about it. I rarely use gelatin powder, but I eat homemade bone broth almost daily. Thank you so much for sharing this awesome recipe and I can’t wait to try it!
I love beef gelatin gummies but haven’t tried them with real fruit, only juice. I bet they are yummy, can’t wait to try.