Gelatin vs Jell-O

[shadowclaw]

I have been reading about how gelatin has helped hair growth and the condition of hair and am thinking about using it. However, I was wondering if there is any difference between eating plain gelatin powder (e.g. Knox) mixed with something or just eating Jell-O. Both are readily available to me, but I think Jell-O might be cheaper. I'm not sure, though. I might be able to find bulk-sized gelatin powder at a store that caters to restaurants and sells mostly bulk-sized food items.

The main ingredient in Jell-O is gelatin, but one packet of sugar-free Jell-O is the same size as a packet of Knox gelatin (regular Jell-O comes in a bigger packet), and there are several other ingredients in Jell-O, so the gelatin content of Jell-O is lower. However, maybe a full packet of gelatin isn't necessary?

[GeoJ]

Well, I think as long as you don't have a problem consuming the other ingredients in Jell-O it would be fine (for me personally I can't stand the taste of the artificial food coloring and the artificial sweeteners in sugar free things give me mouth sores). They are both gelatin, and I don't think you would consume the Knox straight, you would mix it with something anyway. (I am assuming you would make the Jell-O in the normal way).

:)

[RancheroTheBee]

Knox gelatin packets are really cheap, and some people mix it into tea or just water. You can also get gelatin in a capsule form, which usually costs about 5$ - 10$ for a bottle of 100.

But Jello itself is arduous to prepare in comparison to Knox and capsules. Also, it contains a lot of sugar (or aspartame) and other ingredients that are probably not great for hair growth. Furthermore, a single packet of Jello (and by comparison, Knox gelatin) can yield up to 10 servings; drinking a glass of water vs. a huge bowl of Jello, every single day.

I take the equivalent of about five tablespoons of gelatin every day, in capsule form (argggh, stomach of steel!), personally.

You could, theoretically, just dissolve a packet of Jello in water every day and see what happens, although, I'm sure the taste would be a little overwhelming. But hey, it might work. Try it for a while and let me know how it goes.

(You know, worse comes to worse and you can drink dissolved Knox and mix in a packet of Tang to make it taste better. :grin:)

[shadowclaw]

I like the taste of Jell-O, personally, and I don't mind artificial sweeteners or sugar. I've used Knox before to make rolled fondant for cakes, and I think it smells disgusting. Probably tastes that way, too :disgust: I would, naturally, mix it with something flavorful. I like the idea of making fruit cubes with the Knox and fruit juice. There's a recipe on the back of the box. However, that would probably end up being a lot of fruit cubes to consume.

The Jell-O I buy is a cheap store brand. The big box of Knox at Walmart might prove to be cheaper per pack, though, as would a big can of the powder if I could find it.

Oh, and on occasion I do drink the Jell-O when there's extra that won't fit into the mold. It's not so bad :)

[RancheroTheBee]

I like the taste of Jell-O, personally, and I don't mind artificial sweeteners or sugar. I've used Knox before to make rolled fondant for cakes, and I think it smells disgusting. Probably tastes that way, too :disgust: I would, naturally, mix it with something flavorful. I like the idea of making fruit cubes with the Knox and fruit juice. There's a recipe on the back of the box. However, that would probably end up being a lot of fruit cubes to consume.

The Jell-O I buy is a cheap store brand. The big box of Knox at Walmart might prove to be cheaper per pack, though, as would a big can of the powder if I could find it.

Oh, and on occasion I do drink the Jell-O when there's extra that won't fit into the mold. It's not so bad :)

It sounds like you might just have to drink Jello. :D You wouldn't have to prepare it to see the benefits; maybe just mix it with water to make a fruit drink. A whole packet might be too much to start with; gelatin can cause stomach upset and nausea when taken in large doses like that.

[LaurelSpring]

Has anyone had really noticeable growth from this or is it mostly heresay? Did anyone start doing it and say Wow my hair is really growing now that I started eating Jello? I tried it for awhile but didnt do it long enough to tell if there was a difference. I want to give it shot again though. I have some knox for hair and nails on the fridge. Ill have to give it a go again and see.

[RancheroTheBee]

Has anyone had really noticeable growth from this or is it mostly heresay? Did anyone start doing it and say Wow my hair is really growing now that I started eating Jello? I tried it for awhile but didnt do it long enough to tell if there was a difference. I want to give it shot again though. I have some knox for hair and nails on the fridge. Ill have to give it a go again and see.

I took gelatin supplements in a pill form, and I did experience a significant gain in growth. DragonLady says she experienced an increase in thickness after taking them regularly for several months.

[DragonLady]

I haven't really noticed faster growth. Rather, the individual hair strands that have been growing in since I began taking everyday have gotten thicker. It has not changed the hair I already had; rather just the new growth is bigger around. I've been taking it almost everyday for a full year, and have about 5" of the thicker hairs. They do split just as easy as the finer ones, though, so I can't claim they're any stronger.


It takes three full months of taking it every single day to notice any real benefits. So the idea of eating enough Jell-O to equal a half packet of Knox every day turns me off. Once in a while; maybe even a couple of times a week. But everyday? I find it much easier to simply mix half of a packet of the plain Knox variety with sodium free buillion (spelling?) powder. It takes about 90 seconds to prepare and is easier (for me) to drink.

[LaurelSpring]

I took gelatin supplements in a pill form, and I did experience a significant gain in growth. DragonLady says she experienced an increase in thickness after taking them regularly for several months.

Thanks for the response and feedback! Now I am motivated. I will start downing it tonight and see. :pray:

Do you know how much it takes to see results?

[Norai]

I was surprised how expensive gelatin was at the grocery store (in the packets) so I went and checked amazon - they have a big 1lb can for $13! Much better deal.

I tried making jello with it out of cranberry juice... it wasn't very tasty... I think I'm just going to try to add it to smoothies or something instead.

oops I forgot to post the link
http://www.amazon.com/Knox-Unflavored-Gelatin-1-lb/dp/B001UOW7D8/ref=wl_itt_dp?ie=UTF8&coliid=IW3SJNUOPXDDD&colid=AEFMV1905ZO5

[DragonLady]

Do you know how much it takes to see results?

I take one teaspoon everyday. If you take more, you may see better results, but I still think it will take three full months to notice any real difference. So be patient and make it a daily habit.

[RancheroTheBee]

It took me about a month, but I take about four capsules a day. It could take several months to see a difference.

[nowxisxforever]

It sounds like you might just have to drink Jello. :D You wouldn't have to prepare it to see the benefits; maybe just mix it with water to make a fruit drink. A whole packet might be too much to start with; gelatin can cause stomach upset and nausea when taken in large doses like that.

You'd be surprised-- drinking jello isn't that bad. My mother gave me jello when I was ill as a child when I couldn't keep anything down... the type with sugar, not artificial sweeteners. It's a fair bit of sugar and, I imagine, protein? that should absorb quickly, so good for children that can't keep solids down :(

When I got sick recently I had a packet of jello, I drank part of it warm and chilled the rest for later.

[Norai]

Also, random point: homemade broth made with bones has a good amount of gelatin. I just stick a chicken carcass (with the breasts and leg meat taken off) in the crock pot with water to cover and some onions, salt, random veggie pieces I have lying around, and cook it for a few hours.

I think the longer you cook it the more stuff you get out of the bones, not sure what the upper end is on it though. :) I've refrigerated this and had it come out with a really jello-y consistency (probably best when you use lots of neck/cartilaginous pieces)... I mean, not jello giggler, but pretty close! Makes good soup.

[Elphie]

Warm, liquid jello was always "sick food" when I was a kid. I used to love drinking it.

[MsBubbles]

Unfortunately I have to concur with this comment (http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/showpost.php?p=323171&postcount=35) on this thread (http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/showthread.php?p=323375).

I feel so scammed! I have a big box of Knox gelatin in my kitchen :(. Besides it upset my stomach when I tried it (but I have a sensitive tummy anyway).

[DragonLady]

I can only speak for myself; but I see improvements since I began taking it. I started drinking it before I ever found this place, and was beginning to notice slight changes in my fingernails about the time I registered here. My nails are still a bit stronger than they used to be, although since then I've also stopped gardening, which wasn't very nail-friendly. I will continue to take gelatin for my hair, because I'm convinced it's made it thicker.

And I do know of at least one study that showed it works. I'll try to find it later and provide a link.

[MsBubbles]

And I do know of at least one study that showed it works. I'll try to find it later and provide a link.

Yes, please if you can! I'll give it another shot and maybe try less so it's easier on my belly, if I can see evidence/studies that it does work.

[redneckprincess]

gelatin pills (what I take) are fairley cheep and probally cheeper in the long run, then just jello I dont know i believe it does help but I get 100 geletian pills 50 doses for under $10.