Jakarta –
Jelly or jelly can actually be the best menu choice when losing weight. This chef reveals the nutritional features of gelatin that make it suitable for diets.
Talking about diet menus, it doesn’t always have to be high-protein foods that are expensive. Fiber sources that are cheap and available all around us can also be a mainstay.
For example, gelatin is apparently good for consumption in the daily menu when dieting. This was revealed by chef and healthy living activist, Edwin Lau.
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Through an Instagram upload @chefedwinlau (23/10/2024), he called agar the cheapest, healthiest and tastiest diet food. Apart from that, gelatin made from red algae is a halal food ingredient, vegan friendly, gluten free and 100% natural.
Chef Edwin Lau revealed that gelatin contains fiber, almost all of which is not digested in the digestive system. “So its function as a natural laxative is very effective because gelatin provides additional weight to the feces and increases fluid absorption in the intestines so that the digestive process runs more smoothly and quickly,” he explained.
 Rich in fiber, gelatin is good to consume when dieting. Photo: Getty Images/iStockphoto/VIKTORIIA DROBOT |
Apart from that, according to Masaki Sanaka’s research quoted by chef Edwin Lau, the fiber in gelatin also has other functions. This fiber provides a sensation of fullness for longer and is very effective in curbing excessive appetite if eaten before a large meal or sweet snack.
Thanks to the advantages of gelatin, the problem of obesity can be overcome. Consuming agar-agar has also been proven to help obese patients lose weight and help control blood sugar in type 2 diabetes patients, as quoted from H Maeda’s research.
But make sure you choose the right jelly. Avoid those that are mixed with sugar, other sweeteners, or excess food additives which make the gelatinous properties no longer natural.
It’s best to look for gelatin in its most natural form, such as powder, flakes, or bars at a cake shop or pastry supplier. Often this product is called agar-agar powder. The price is around IDR 5 thousand per small pack.
“Finally, make sure you use enough water when mixing the gelatin, especially for the part that has not completely dissolved,” advises chef Edwin Lau. Because the part of the gelatin that has not dissolved can stick to the intestines or esophagus which ultimately triggers a blockage in the digestive tract.
Chef Edwin Lau continued, “My advice is to warm the gelatin solution with water/milk/juice first or blend it first, see the consistency, then mold it and store it in the refrigerator.”
 Choose jelly that is natural and made without a lot of food additives. Photo: Getty Images/iStockphoto/VIKTORIIA DROBOT |
If the jelly is made with water, it can last for weeks in the refrigerator. However, if dissolved in milk, the gelatin will only last for about 4 days, maximum 1 week in the refrigerator.
The benefits of gelatin for dieting have also been discussed by Mario Mizzi, a health expert who has a diet clinic. He revealed that gelatin helps control weight because it stimulates metabolism.
Agar-agar also contains amino acids which can support the body’s immune system. So it can also support general health.
(adr/odi)
