Jelly for a one-year old

[wobblyknicks]

Have just made a jelly (haven't for ages) and dd was looking wistfully at it so I gave her a tiny bit and suddenly she's in love with it (never used to like it when she tried it before). So how much is she allowed - its sugar free btw?

TBH, I wouldn't give a child sugar-free jelly. IMO the artificial sweeteners are more unhealthy that the sugar! Jelly made from the cube concentrates is usually full of c**p anyway - tastes nice though ;0! I give my two jelly from time to time, in fact the GP suggested it as a way of getting water into a reluctant drinker. I'm sure a spoonful or two won't do any harm. If you want to giver her jelly fairly often, I would suggest making your own from diluted fruit juice and either proper gelatine or the vegy alternative stuff (which is what I use).

Thanks pc - what's the vegy stuff?

What happened to my wink?

• tastes nice though !

I'll just go look in the kitchen, hang on a sec.

Thanks pc

There's agar-agar, which is made from seaweed and gives a slightly 'fudgier' texture than gelatine, and Vege-Gel, which is made from carrageenan moss and gives a more jelly-like texture. You'll find Vege-Gel in the supermarket with the baking stuff (I think), but I've only ever seen agar-agar in health food shops.

Thanks - I'll go to the health food shop tomorrow. Are both of those ok to give her however much she wants?

try DOLE fruitngel bowls they are veggie and have mandarin oranges in. They're ready-to-go and in the section with custards and tinned fruit i think. SO HANDY! My ds loves them.

thanks irishjewels - have seen them but didn't know they were veggie - will definitely try them.

We use the veg jelly crystals made by these people - click on "jelly & custard" on the left & they'll appear in a pop up. They're pretty widely available. Nice as is, but specially good if you put some real raspberries (etc.) in as it sets.

I would certainly be happy giving it to a one-year-old but if you're not sure I expect it's the kind of company that would be happy to tell you whether it recommends a minimum age.

Looks nice binkie - I'd prefer something like that to something with animal gelatine in tbh, just to be on the safe side.

Well, looks like I'll be making endless jellies now!!!

I got a bit lazy about making it from scratch but recently realised I could make the packet stuff using fruit juice instead of water which I figure adds some goodness!