Cranberry Gelatin Salad is a popular dish that is served up during the holidays. However, the consumption of gelatin has greatly decreased over the years due to the vegan and vegetarian movements – so this dish might not be something you’ve seen at the past few christmas parties.

However, I invite you to welcome this classic dish – with a spin – back to your diet. With a few spins you’ll find that this recipe is not only delicious, it is very healthy. Looking at the base of this recipe we have gelatin and cranberries – two superfoods that come with a host of health benefits.

The Health Benefits of Gelatin 

Gelatin is a rich source of collagen, which is the basically the glue that holds our bodies together. It is imperative for healthy skin, hair, bones and tissues – they can help with everything from joint problems to wrinkles.

Gelatin also provides essential – and often lacking – amino acids that are not common in the average diet, such as glycine. Glycine is very important for the production of HCL, which is essential for a healthy digestive system. It’s over all one of the best foods for a healthy gut and for many reasons.

Aside from that, here are a few other specific benefits of consuming high-quality gelatin:

  • The collagen in gelatin can help improve skin elasticity, reduce wrinkles and smoothen the skin.
  • Gelatin improves arthritis, bone and joint problems.
  • Gelatin can help heal the gut lining – great for anyone with ‘leaky gut’ and autoimmunity.

And going back to the heart of this post, gelatin makes for great culinary creations  – eating is a sacred act of life and who doesn’t enjoy tasty and healthy food? But before we get into the recipe, let’s talk a little info on cranberries.

The Health Benefits of Cranberries

Most people understand cranberry for its ability to treat urinary tract infections. It does so by inhibiting bacteria from attaching to the bladder and urethra. Similar to how gram-negative bacteria, streptococcus mutans, keeps plaque from sticking to the surface of the teeth. A perfect example of how some bacteria can be good for us. Such in the case of probiotic foods.

Cranberries have many other benefits aside from just this though. For example:

  • Cranberries are rich in antioxidants and phytonutrients, like oligomeric proanthocyanidins, anthocyanidin flavonoids, cyanidin, peonidin, and quercetin, all which have unique health benefits. Some of these prevent stroke, while others cardiovascular disease by managing cholesterol levels.
  • They’re anti-cancerous. Research shows that cranberries protect against breast cancer, thanks to all those antioxidants.
  • They help the immune system remain strong with the help of their vitamin C content.
  • They keep your colon clean by packing 20% of your DRV of fiber.
  • They cleanse the liver and kidneys with a healthy dose of pectin.

 

Fresh cranberries are best and contain the most antioxidants. Dried would be next but they’re often covered in sugar or soaked in apple juice. I say stick with the fresh stuff and turn them into your own homemade juices and desserts like this one!

Here’s what you’ll need:

Here’s how you make it:

  1. Put water and cranberries into a pot and bring to a boil.
  2. Turn off heat and let the cranberries sit until the skins break.
  3. Pour into Blendtec blend until smooth.
  4. Strain through a fine strainer into a glass measuring cup. This is to remove the skin and fiber but keep the pectin in tack.
  5. Add back to blender with collagelatin, vanillamax and stevia. I add about 3-5 droppers of stevia. Blend lightly to mix.
  6. Pour into a lined glass baking dish or molds.
  7. Refrigerate for 4-6 hours.

Categories: Nutrition, Recipes