Jell-O Snack Packs are a popular brand of pre-portioned gelatin desserts. They come in a variety of flavors and provide a tasty, sweet treat in individual serving sizes. But many health-conscious snackers wonder, just how many calories are in a Jell-O Snack Pack?
The Basics of Jell-O Snack Packs
Jell-O Snack Packs are made by the Kraft Heinz Company. They contain sweetened gelatin dessert in a plastic cup with a peel-off lid. Snack Packs are an easy grab-and-go snack. They don’t require refrigeration before opening, so they are handy to pack in lunches or take on the go.
Jell-O Snack Packs come in a variety of flavors including:
- Strawberry
- Cherry
- Orange
- Raspberry
- Lemon
- Lime
- Pineapple
- Peach
- Sugar Free options
The standard size is 3.5 ounces (99 grams). Snack Packs are considered a single serving dessert.
Calories in Different Jell-O Snack Pack Flavors
The number of calories in a Jell-O Snack Pack varies slightly by flavor. But most flavors contain between 60-70 calories per individual cup. Here is the calorie breakdown for popular flavors:
| Jell-O Snack Pack Flavor | Calories |
|---|---|
| Strawberry | 60 |
| Cherry | 60 |
| Orange | 70 |
| Raspberry | 60 |
| Lemon | 60 |
| Lime | 60 |
| Pineapple | 70 |
| Peach | 70 |
As you can see, most Original flavored Jell-O Snack Packs contain 60 calories per individual cup. The few exceptions are the Orange, Pineapple and Peach flavors which have 70 calories per cup.
Calories in Sugar Free Jell-O Snack Packs
For dieters or people with diabetes, Jell-O does make Sugar Free Snack Packs. These are sweetened with artificial sweeteners such as sucralose and acesulfame potassium instead of sugar.
Here are the calories for popular Sugar Free Jell-O Snack Pack flavors:
| Sugar Free Jell-O Snack Pack Flavor | Calories |
|---|---|
| Strawberry | 10 |
| Cherry | 15 |
| Raspberry | 10 |
| Orange | 15 |
| Lemon | 10 |
As you can see, the Sugar Free Jell-O Snack Packs contain only 10-15 calories per cup. This makes them a very low calorie sweet treat.
Other Nutrition Facts
Understanding calories is important, but looking at other nutrition facts gives more complete picture:
Fat
Regular Jell-O Snack Packs contain 0g of fat per cup. The Sugar Free version also has 0g of fat.
Protein
Both regular and Sugar Free Jell-O Snack Packs contain 1g of protein per cup.
Carbohydrates
Regular Snack Packs contain 15g of carbs per cup, mostly from added sugars. The Sugar Free version has 5g of carbs, coming mostly from sugar substitutes.
Sugar
Regular Snack Packs contain 14g of sugar per cup. The Sugar Free version has less than 1g of sugar.
Jell-O Snack Packs Calorie Chart
For easy reference, here are the calories for all Jell-O Snack Pack flavors in a chart:
| Jell-O Snack Pack Flavor | Calories (per cup) |
|---|---|
| Strawberry (regular) | 60 |
| Strawberry (sugar free) | 10 |
| Cherry (regular) | 60 |
| Cherry (sugar free) | 15 |
| Orange (regular) | 70 |
| Orange (sugar free) | 15 |
| Raspberry (regular) | 60 |
| Raspberry (sugar free) | 10 |
| Lemon (regular) | 60 |
| Lemon (sugar free) | 10 |
| Lime (regular) | 60 |
| Pineapple (regular) | 70 |
| Peach (regular) | 70 |
Ways to Enjoy Jell-O Snack Packs
Now that you know the calories, here are some ways to enjoy Jell-O Snack Packs:
On the Go
Pack a Snack Pack in your bag for an easy on-the-go sweet treat. They are portable and don’t require refrigeration.
Low Calorie Dessert
Enjoy a Snack Pack for dessert after a meal. They satisfy a sweet tooth for only 60-70 calories.
Movie Snack
Grab a Snack Pack at the grocery store on your way to see a movie. They make a lighter movie snack.
Lunch Box Treat
Toss a Jell-O Snack Pack into your child’s lunch for a sweet surprise in their school lunchbox.
Office Drawer Stash
Keep a stash of Snack Packs in your office desk drawer for an afternoon pick-me-up.
Storing Jell-O Snack Packs
For best quality and food safety, be sure to store Snack Packs properly:
Unopened
An unopened Snack Pack can be stored at room temperature in a cool, dry place. Avoid direct sunlight and high heat.
After Opening
Once opened, the Snack Pack must be refrigerated and consumed within 5-7 days.
Expiration Date
Check the expiration or “Best By” date printed on the bottom of the cup. For best quality, consume before this date.
Discard if Moldy
Discard any Snack Packs that look puffy, seeping liquid, or have mold spots. Do not consume gelatin that looks abnormal or spoiled.
Health Benefits of Gelatin
While Jell-O is considered more of a treat, the gelatin it contains does offer some potential health benefits:
Joint Health
Gelatin contains amino acids that play a role in building strong cartilage and bones. It may help promote joint health and flexibility.
Skin, Nails and Hair
Collagen from gelatin can help promote skin, nail and hair growth and strength. It provides protein building blocks.
Digestive Aid
Gelatin can help coat and soothe irritation in the GI tract. It may aid digestive issues like leaky gut syndrome.
Sleep Aid
The glycine in gelatin acts as a neurotransmitter inhibitor to promote calming and sleep. It may help improve quality of sleep.
Weight Loss
Gelatin promotes a feeling of fullness so it may aid weight loss. It also balances blood sugar levels.
Downsides of Jell-O Snack Packs
While Jell-O Snack Packs can be enjoyed in moderation, be mindful of a few downsides:
Added Sugars
The regular Snack Packs are high in added sugars. Consuming too many can lead to blood sugar spikes.
Artificial Sweeteners
The sugar free version contains artificial sweeteners that may cause GI issues in some people.
Lack of Nutrients
Jell-O is mostly sugar and water. Snack Packs lack nutritional value like vitamins, minerals and fiber.
Food Dyes
The bright colors of Jell-O come from artificial food dyes, which may cause allergic reactions in some.
Not Suitable for Restricted Diets
Jell-O contains gelatin which is animal-derived. It is not suitable for vegetarian, vegan, or halal diets.
Conclusion
Jell-O Snack Packs provide 60-70 calories of sweetness per individual cup. While they can be enjoyed occasionally as a treat, moderation is key. Be mindful of the added sugars, lack of nutrients and potential allergens.
When snacking on Jell-O, balance it out by also eating more wholesome foods like fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, whole grains and healthy fats during the rest of your day.