These gummies came to be after I received a carton of organic orange juice in a weekly food delivery box. I’m not usually a huge fan of fruit juice because once the fiber is removed, it can spike your insulin quite drastically, which (among other things) can negatively impact energy and mood, especially in children. A cup of orange juice raises blood sugar so quickly that it’s one of the recommended foods to bring someone out of a diabetic shock.
I didn’t want the juice to go to waste, so I created this more blood sugar-friendly way to use it. Instead of consuming a cupful of orange juice, it’s eaten in bite-sized pieces with gelatin added to it, which offers some protein to counteract the insulin spike. Gelatin from pasture-raised sources is an amazing food for you and your little ones — it’s partly what makes bone broth so nourishing. It’s great for gut health and can help strengthen digestion. Gelatin is quickly becoming a well-known beauty secret for its ability to strengthen hair, nails, and skin.
Using fresh-squeezed orange juice makes this recipe even healthier because it contains higher amounts of vitamin C, which is sensitive to the pasteurization process that carton juice goes through. Just ensure that you strain to remove all pulp first. I thought that pulp in these gummies would add a nice texture, but instead of being juicy, it gave them a consistency more reminiscent of wood pulp. Not exactly what I was going for.
