How many calories are in 100g of strawberry jelly?

November 18, 2025 •

4 min read

Strawberry jelly's caloric content can vary significantly based on whether it is a standard or low-calorie variety. A typical store-bought version can have around 70 calories per 100g, while a reduced-sugar version might have as few as 35 calories for the same amount. This major difference is due almost entirely to the amount of added sugar, the primary calorie source in standard jellies.

Quick Summary

The calories in 100g of strawberry jelly depend on the preparation. Standard types, laden with sugar, can reach 70 calories, whereas lower-sugar and diet options provide significantly fewer calories. The sugar content and presence of thickening agents like pectin or gelatin are the main factors determining the total calorie count.

Key Points

Calorie Variation: The number of calories in 100g of strawberry jelly varies widely, from around 35 kcal for low-calorie versions to 70 kcal or more for standard varieties.
Sugar is Key: Added sugar is the main caloric contributor in traditional jelly, making reduced-sugar products significantly lower in calories.
Homemade Advantage: Creating your own jelly allows for complete control over ingredients, enabling the use of healthier sweeteners and lower calorie counts.
Alternative Thickeners: Low-sugar jellies often use no-sugar-needed pectin or chia seeds for thickening, since sugar is not available to assist with gelling.
Jelly vs. Jam: Jelly, made from juice, typically has less fiber and nutrients than jam, which includes the crushed whole fruit.
Health Benefits of Moderation: Reducing sugar intake from spreads like jelly can aid in weight management, blood sugar control, and dental health.

Calorie Breakdown of Strawberry Jelly

To determine how many calories are in 100g of strawberry jelly, it is essential to consider the different types available. The most significant factor influencing the caloric value is the amount of sugar. In traditional jelly, fruit juice is combined with a large quantity of added sugar, which contributes the majority of its calories. In contrast, low-sugar or sugar-free versions use alternative sweeteners, which drastically lowers the overall calorie count.

Factors Influencing Caloric Content

Added Sugar: Most conventional jellies are high in sugar, which acts as both a sweetener and a preservative. This means a product with more sugar will have a higher caloric density.
Sweeteners: Low-calorie or sugar-free jellies use non-nutritive sweeteners like stevia, sucralose, or monk fruit. These sweeteners add flavor without adding calories, leading to a much lighter product.
Thickening Agents: Pectin is the traditional gelling agent for jelly, but some recipes use gelatin or chia seeds. The type of thickener does not significantly impact calories, but the amount of sugar required for a proper set does.
Fruit Content: Since jelly is made from fruit juice rather than whole fruit, it lacks the fiber and some nutrients found in jam. While strawberries themselves are low in calories, processing them into juice and adding sugar concentrates the calories.

Comparison: Strawberry Jelly vs. Other Spreads

To put the calories of strawberry jelly into perspective, let's compare it with other popular spreads. The following table highlights the difference in nutritional content per 100g serving.


Spread Type	Estimated Calories (per 100g)	Primary Calorie Source	Notes
Standard Strawberry Jelly	60-70 kcal	Added sugar	High in simple carbohydrates with little nutritional value.
Low-Calorie Strawberry Jelly	35-50 kcal	Non-nutritive sweeteners	Uses alternative sweeteners and may contain preservatives.
Strawberry Jam	250-280 kcal	Added sugar and fruit	Higher in calories than jelly, but contains fruit pulp and potentially more fiber.
Nutella	~540 kcal	Sugar and fat	Significantly higher in calories due to high fat content from nuts and palm oil.
Natural Peanut Butter	~588 kcal	Fat and protein	High in calories, but offers protein and healthy fats.
Avocado Mash	~160 kcal	Healthy fats	A whole-food option rich in healthy fats and nutrients.

Making Your Own Lower-Calorie Strawberry Jelly

For those who want to control their calorie and sugar intake, making homemade strawberry jelly is a great option. By using natural sweeteners and thickeners, you can create a delicious spread with fewer calories.

Steps for a lower-calorie recipe:

Select your fruit: Use fresh or frozen strawberries. The natural sweetness will reduce the need for added sugar.
Combine ingredients: In a saucepan, combine mashed strawberries with a small amount of water and a heat-stable, calorie-free sweetener like stevia or sucralose.
Simmer and thicken: Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer. You can use a no-sugar-needed pectin, which gels with a calcium salt instead of sugar, or add ground chia seeds as a natural thickener.
Jar and store: Once cooked and thickened, pour the jelly into sterilized jars. Since homemade, low-sugar jelly lacks the preservative effects of high sugar content, it must be stored in the refrigerator and consumed within a few weeks. Alternatively, it can be frozen for longer storage.

Benefits of Controlling Sugar Intake

Reducing your intake of added sugar, including that found in jelly, has numerous health benefits:

Better Blood Sugar Control: High sugar intake can cause rapid blood glucose spikes. Opting for lower-sugar alternatives can help manage blood sugar levels, which is crucial for individuals with diabetes or those at risk.
Weight Management: Added sugar provides empty calories, meaning energy without beneficial nutrients. Reducing these calories can help prevent weight gain.
Improved Dental Health: The high sugar content in traditional jelly can contribute to tooth decay. Less sugar means a lower risk for cavities.
More Nutrients: By choosing homemade versions, you can preserve more of the natural vitamins and fiber from the fruit, unlike store-bought jellies which may lose nutrients during processing.

Conclusion

Understanding how many calories are in 100g of strawberry jelly depends largely on its sugar content. While a standard version can contain up to 70 calories, healthier, low-sugar alternatives offer a guilt-free way to enjoy this sweet spread. Homemade jelly is an excellent way to take full control over ingredients and nutrition, reducing sugar and retaining more of the strawberries' natural goodness. The choice between a traditional jelly, a low-calorie version, or a whole-fruit jam comes down to your personal health goals and dietary needs. For optimal health benefits, focusing on moderation and choosing less processed, lower-sugar options is the wisest approach. Healthline provides further nutritional comparisons between jelly and jam.

Frequently Asked Questions

The wide variation in calories for strawberry jelly is primarily due to the amount and type of sweetener used. Standard versions rely heavily on sugar for sweetness and preservation, while low-calorie options use alternative, non-caloric sweeteners.

Low-calorie strawberry jelly is generally a healthier option as it contains less added sugar and fewer empty calories. However, it is essential to check the ingredients list for artificial additives and to consume it in moderation as part of a balanced diet.

Strawberry jelly is made from filtered strawberry juice, resulting in a clear, smooth spread. Strawberry jam includes crushed whole fruit, giving it a thicker, chunkier texture and retaining more fiber and nutrients than jelly.

While fresh strawberries are packed with vitamins and antioxidants, the intensive processing and high sugar content in store-bought jelly diminish many health benefits. Jelly is a source of carbohydrates for energy but offers limited nutritional value beyond that.

Yes, you can easily make a lower-calorie strawberry jelly at home by using fresh or frozen strawberries and replacing sugar with low-calorie, heat-stable sweeteners like stevia or sucralose. You can use no-sugar-needed pectin or chia seeds as thickeners.

For homemade low-calorie jelly, you can use heat-stable non-nutritive sweeteners such as stevia or sucralose. Some recipes also use concentrated fruit juice for natural sweetness, though this will add calories.

Unlike traditional jelly with high sugar content, homemade low-sugar versions should be refrigerated and are best consumed within a few weeks due to their lack of preservatives. For longer storage, it is best to freeze the jelly.