Does No Sugar Jell-O Have Calories? The Truth About Low-Calorie Snacks

December 29, 2025 •

2 min read

According to nutritional data, a standard 1/2-cup serving of sugar-free Jell-O contains approximately 10 calories. This fact often surprises people who assume a zero-sugar product has zero calories, prompting the question: does no sugar Jell-O have calories, and if so, where do those minimal calories come from?

Quick Summary

Despite being labeled zero sugar, sugar-free Jell-O contains around 10 calories per serving, primarily from maltodextrin and gelatin, and utilizes artificial sweeteners.

Key Points

Source of Calories: Sugar-free Jell-O contains a small number of calories, typically around 10 per serving, from gelatin and maltodextrin, not sugar.
Main Ingredients: The product uses gelatin for its texture and artificial sweeteners like aspartame and acesulfame potassium to provide sweetness without sugar.
Comparison with Regular Jell-O: Regular Jell-O contains 70-80 calories per serving due to sugar, making the sugar-free version a significantly lower-calorie alternative.
Keto Diet Suitability: It is generally considered keto-friendly due to its low carb count, but individual responses to artificial sweeteners can vary.
Limited Nutritional Value: Sugar-free Jell-O provides almost no vitamins, minerals, or fiber, offering what are considered 'empty calories'.
Consumption Guidelines: While a suitable treat for those managing sugar or calorie intake, it should be enjoyed in moderation as part of a balanced, nutrient-rich diet.

The Surprising Source of Calories

While 'no sugar' sounds like it should equate to 'no calories,' that's not the case with sugar-free Jell-O. The reason lies in its ingredients list. The minimal caloric content—roughly 10 calories per serving—is primarily derived from two key components: gelatin and maltodextrin. Artificial sweeteners provide the sweetness without contributing significant calories, but other functional ingredients carry a small energy load.

Gelatin's Caloric Contribution

Gelatin, a protein from animal collagen, contributes approximately 4 calories per serving of sugar-free Jell-O.

The Role of Maltodextrin

Maltodextrin, a carbohydrate filler, is another source of calories in sugar-free Jell-O. Though a carbohydrate, it's not listed as sugar, contributing a small amount of calories and carbs per serving.

How Sugar-Free Compares to Regular Jell-O

Regular Jell-O uses sugar, while the sugar-free version uses artificial sweeteners.


Feature	Regular Jell-O	Sugar-Free Jell-O
Calories (per serving)	70-80	~10
Sugar (per serving)	17-18 grams	0 grams
Carbohydrates (per serving)	~17 grams	<1 gram
Protein (per serving)	<1 gram	~1 gram
Sweeteners	Sugar	Aspartame, Acesulfame Potassium

The Ingredients That Make it Happen

Sugar-free Jell-O includes specific ingredients to achieve its taste and texture without sugar. These include gelatin, adipic acid & fumaric acid for tartness, sodium phosphate & sodium citrate to regulate acidity and texture, maltodextrin, artificial sweeteners (aspartame and acesulfame potassium), salt, and artificial flavors and colors.

Potential Health Considerations

Sugar-free Jell-O is a low-calorie, sugar-free option suitable for those managing sugar intake. It can also fit a ketogenic diet due to its low carb content. However, it offers limited nutritional value (almost no vitamins, minerals, or fiber) and contains artificial sweeteners whose health effects are debated, though deemed safe in moderation. Sugar alcohols in some products might cause digestive issues in large amounts. A study in the National Institutes of Health examined the impact of sugar-free jelly on glycemic metabolism.

Conclusion

Yes, no sugar Jell-O does have calories, around 10 per serving, from gelatin protein and maltodextrin. It's a very low-calorie dessert option compared to regular Jell-O, suitable for those managing sugar or calorie intake. However, it offers little nutritional value and should be consumed in moderation as part of a balanced diet. Always check the nutrition label and ingredients.

Frequently Asked Questions

The minimal calories in sugar-free Jell-O come from the protein in gelatin and the carbohydrates in maltodextrin, which is used as a filler and thickener.

For most people, sugar-free Jell-O is considered keto-friendly because it contains very few net carbs. However, some individuals may experience an insulin response to the artificial sweeteners, so it's best to monitor your body's reaction.

The main ingredients include gelatin, adipic acid, maltodextrin, and artificial sweeteners like aspartame and acesulfame potassium, along with artificial flavors and colors.

While it is a low-calorie option, sugar-free Jell-O offers little to no nutritional value in terms of vitamins, minerals, or fiber. It should not be considered a health food, but rather an occasional treat.

A standard serving of regular Jell-O typically contains 70 to 80 calories, primarily from sugar. The sugar-free version, in contrast, contains only about 10 calories per serving.

Sugar-free Jell-O is often a suitable dessert for people with diabetes, as it does not contain sugar and won't spike blood sugar levels. However, it's wise to check with a healthcare provider and monitor your body's response, especially if you have an artificial sweetener sensitivity.

Sugar-free Jell-O uses a combination of artificial sweeteners, including aspartame and acesulfame potassium, to provide sweetness without adding calories from sugar.