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- 10 Healthiest Jellies in 2023 (Nutritionist-Reviewed)
10 Healthiest Jellies in 2023 (Nutritionist-Reviewed)
In our research, we found that the best jellies contain just fruit, sugar, and pectin, fit your macronutrient needs, and are non-GMO. They might not even be jellies at all but jams and preserves instead. Keeping these things in mind, we’ve come up with a list of our favorite healthy jellies available online, including our top pick by Crofter's. We've also prepared a handy buying guide with extra tips from nutritionist Kara Swanson.
Kara Swanson is a certified nutritionist and the founder of Life Well Lived. She is married to her best friend and the proud mother of three. Her passion is to make nutrition simple+easy+delicious!
mybest US' editing team consists of experienced members who have backgrounds in writing, editing, translation, and more. We are dedicated to researching what makes a product or service the best to users in the US in order to create top-quality articles. From skincare, to kitchen appliances, and to DIY supplies, our mission is to find the best ones for you.
The expert oversees the Buying Guide only, and does not determine the products and services featured.
Table of Contents
- 10 Healthiest Jellies
- No. 1: Crofter's | Organic Concord Grape Premium Spread
- No. 2: World of Chia | Chia Strawberry Fruit Spread | 3 pack
- No. 3: DiaBliss | Mixed Fruit Jam with Herbal Extract Blend
- No. 4: Trade Street Jam Co. | Strawberry Chipotle + Fig Jam
- No. 5: Newport Jerky Company | GATOR Jam
- 5 more products
- Healthy Swaps Direct From Kara Swanson
- More Toppings for Your Meal Time
How to Choose a Healthy Jelly – Buying Guide
Points to Consider:
- Consider Jams or Preserves Over Jellies
- Look for Quality Ingredients
- Check for Official Certifications for Peace of Mind
① Consider Jams or Preserves Over Jellies
This also gives them more texture and flavor variance, if that’s something you appreciate. That being said, jams and preserves aren’t automatically healthier as they can also include artificial ingredients and excess sugar.
If you're looking for a healthy option, look for lower amounts of sugar, less additives, and more fruit (more on that below).
A simple healthy swap for jelly is to use a jam instead. It typically has less sugar (but make sure you read the labels to ensure it isn't loaded with sugar!) and it is higher in fiber, making it a great way to still get some sweetness on your toast but in a healthier way.
② Look for Quality Ingredients
Society has come pretty far in terms of creating the best flavors for our food, but that doesn't mean they're always high-quality or good for us. Here are some things you should look out for in your jelly.
Avoid Additives and Stabilizers Besides Pectin
One thing that will almost invariably be in your jelly, though, is pectin. Pectin is a type of fiber naturally found in all fruit and serves as a gelling agent. Some fruits, such as lemons, apples, and cranberries, have higher amounts of pectin and thus may not need additional pectin to turn them into jam or jelly.
On the other hand, most other fruits will likely require added pectin. In the healthiest jellies, pectin should be the only added gelling agent, so try to avoid other stabilizers, gums, and additives.
It can be confusing when you're looking at labels to know what's healthy and what's unhealthy. A good rule of thumb when it comes to jellies and jams is to look for real fruit, maybe a little sugar, and nothing else. Pectin is okay and acts as a natural gelling agent, but if there is much more than that, try another jelly or jam.
Watch Out for Added Sugars—Artificial and Natural
For reference, the daily amount of added sugar intake recommended by the American Heart Association is 36 grams of sugar for men and 25 grams for women. If you go any higher than 8 grams per serving, that can be up to a third of your daily limit!
On the other hand, some jellies lower their sugar content by using artificial sweeteners. Check the ingredients list to see what kind of sweeteners they use. Some people have sensitivities to stevia or erythritol, and if you aren’t sure if your body can handle it, artificial sweeteners may be best to avoid.
Sugar is going to be in jelly and jam but you should be aware and conscious of how much sugar is actually added per serving. It's important to also note where the sugar is coming from.
Fruit has natural sugar, which is okay! But then there is added sugar and artificial sugar. I recommend you stay away from artificial sugar as much as possible, especially sucralose.
③ Check for Official Certifications for Peace of Mind
Most jellies will be vegan or gluten-free since they're naturally free of both animal products and gluten, but if you want to be 100% sure, look for official certification on the label or the company's website as well.
Don't be afraid to do a little research and take charge of your health. If you are unsure about anything a product claims, are confused about the label, or have a question about what's in their product, reach out and ask them. Knowledge is power and it's important to ask questions when it comes to the food we are consuming on a daily basis.
10 Healthiest Jellies
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Crofter's Organic Concord Grape Premium Spread | | A Classic Grape Jelly That's Low in Sugar | |
2 | World of Chia Chia Strawberry Fruit Spread | | A Strawberry Jam That Uses Chia Seeds Instead of Pectin | |
3 | DiaBliss Mixed Fruit Jam with Herbal Extract Blend | | A Low-Glycemic Jam With Special Sugar Can Extract | |
4 | Trade Street Jam Co. Strawberry Chipotle + Fig Jam | | A Small-Batch, Pectin-Free Jam With a Kick | |
5 | Newport Jerky Company GATOR Jam | | One of the Best No-Sugar-Added Jams | |
6 | Valle de Panchoy Guava Fruit Preserves | | A Tropical Taste for Your Morning Pastry | |
7 | Nature's Hollow Apricot Jam | | A Sugar-Free Alternative With Lots of Fruity Taste | |
8 | Spread the Love Artisan Jam | | A Delicious, Two-Ingredient, Additive-Free Jam | |
9 | Mrs. Miller's Homemade Jams | | A Hot Pepper Jelly to Spice Things Up | |
10 | Good Good Sweet Blueberry Jam | | A Keto-Friendly and Diet-Friendly Jam |
Crofter's Organic Concord Grape Premium Spread
A Classic Grape Jelly That's Low in Sugar
- organic
- low sugar
- non-GMO
- sweet enough to satisfy any sweet tooth, but still organic and healthy enough to eat without feeling guilty
This is a classic grape jelly that sits perfectly between super sweet conventional jellies and not sweet enough health-focused jellies. Reviewers love the flavor and write that it’s thick and spreads like a jam. It’s sweet enough for kids to like it without being overpoweringly sugary.
World of ChiaChia Strawberry Fruit Spread ｜ 3 pack
A Strawberry Jam That Uses Chia Seeds Instead of Pectin
Features:
- no pectin
- 4 simple ingredients
Recommended for:
- a new, unique spin on jelly with healthy choice alternative ingredients like chia seeds and agave nectar
If you're not too hot on pectin in your fruit spreads, consider this pectin-less alternative! This strawberry fruit spread is made with chia seeds instead. It's also fairly low in sugar, and it only takes four simple ingredients to make it.
Reviewers did warn that the chia seeds aren't crushed or powdered, so that will interrupt an otherwise smooth texture. If you're willing to get past that, though, you'll love the not-too-sweet flavor like many other buyers did!
DiaBlissMixed Fruit Jam with Herbal Extract Blend
A Low-Glycemic Jam With Special Sugar Can Extract
- herb-infused fruit jam
- low glycemic index
- sweet, lightly spiced flavor
Recommended for:
- fans of spiced jams and jellies
This herb-infused fruit jam has a low glycemic index (GI), which means that it won’t cause insulin spikes. That's because it's sweetened with special DiaBliss sugar, a mix of cane sugar, pomegranate, cinnamon, ginger, turmeric, and more. Reviewers love the sweet, lightly spiced flavor.
However, do note that the serving size is 1 teaspoon (as opposed to most other jams’ 1 tablespoon), so if you’re looking for specific macronutrient counts, be sure to watch your portion size. Also note that while the product photo shows a 10.6-ounce jar, you'll receive an 11.5-ounce one from this order!
Trade Street Jam Co.Strawberry Chipotle + Fig Jam
A Small-Batch, Pectin-Free Jam With a Kick
- sweet and lightly spicy
- produced in a small-batches
- comes with recipe cards
Recommended for:
- adventurous eaters who love sweet and spicy combinations
This unique jam is sweet and lightly spicy. Unlike most jams, it contains no pectin, instead relying on the natural gelling ability of the fruit it contains. It's also produced in a small-batch facility by a Black women-owned business, so you can feel good about who you're buying from!
Reviewers write that it’s not too sweet and has a pleasant kick that makes it go well with both sweet and savory foods. It even comes with recipe cards to give you some ideas!
Newport Jerky CompanyGATOR Jam
One of the Best No-Sugar-Added Jams
- sweetened with only natural fruit sugars
- gluten-free, fat-free, and all-natural
- made in the US in small batches
Recommended for:
- fun and low-sugar option for kids
This GATOR (ginger, apple, tangerine, orange, raspberry) jam contains no added sugar and is sweetened with only natural sugars from the fruits.
Despite its low added sugar content, it’s kid-friendly and still quite sweet. It’s easily spreadable and tastes great in a wide variety of culinary situations. Reviewers liked it with both sweet and savory foods, especially as a muffin topping.
Valle de PanchoyGuava Fruit Preserves
A Tropical Taste for Your Morning Pastry
Features:
- only 4 natural ingredients
- no added preservatives or dyes
- 70%+ fruit, with fiber minerals, and antioxidants
Recommended for:
- a burst of tropical flavor on your favorite breakfast pastries
If you're a jelly connoisseur and are looking to try something a bit different, why not try out these healthy guava preserves? It only contains four natural ingredients - no added preservatives or dyes whatsoever.
Reviewers loved the tropical taste of the jam and said it reminded them of their trips to Hawai'i. They suggest spreading it on toast or croissants to take your breakfast to a whole new level.
Nature's HollowApricot Jam
A Sugar-Free Alternative With Lots of Fruity Taste
- contains no sugar
- sweetened with xylitol
- available in 5 flavors: strawberry, blueberry, peach, and more
Recommended for:
- diabetics, or people looking for an option without any sugar that still tastes great
This jam contains no sugar and is suitable for diabetics. Instead, it’s sweetened with xylitol, a sugar alcohol that tastes like sugar and doesn’t have any adverse health effects! It's also available in five other flavors like strawberry, blueberry, peach, and more.
Reviewers love that this apricot jam tastes homemade, and many report that it’s better than many apricot jams that do include sugar. Buyers on the keto diet also loved it!
Spread the LoveArtisan Jam ｜ Raspberry
A Delicious, Two-Ingredient, Additive-Free Jam
- just two ingredients: fruit and sugar
- full of nutrients and antioxidants
- all-natural, gluten-free, pectin-free
Recommended for:
- a simply crafted jam that delivers on the pure, sweet, and tart taste of raspberry—great for baking or eating on toast
If you’re just looking for a spread with the fewest ingredients possible and aren’t too concerned with sugar content, this is the jam for you. It has just two ingredients (fruit and sugar) and is packed full of nutrients and antioxidants.
Reviewers love the simplicity of this jam and write that it has the perfect amount of sweetness. For those who like their jams with a little bit of texture, this one does contain seeds.
Mrs. Miller'sHomemade Jams ｜ 2 pack, Hot Pepper Jelly
A Hot Pepper Jelly to Spice Things Up
- sweet and spicy
- small chunks of peppers
- only sugars and cane sugars
Recommended for:
- use on cheeses and meats for a sweet and savory addition and to add a slightly spicy kick
This hot pepper jelly has the perfect balance of sweet and spicy and includes small chunks of peppers for added flavor and texture. It also contains only sugars and cane sugars, so you don't have to deal with any corn syrup (if you're trying to avoid that).
Reviewers write that it’s less sweet than other pepper jellies and perhaps a bit spicier–though spiciness is, of course, relative. It’s great mixed with cream cheese or used anywhere you might use ketchup.
Good GoodSweet Blueberry Jam
A Keto-Friendly and Diet-Friendly Jam
- sweetened with erythritol and stevia
- low-calorie, keto-friendly, vegan, diabetic-friendly
- comes in 4 flavors: blueberry, raspberry, apricot, and strawberry
Recommended for:
- low-calorie option that works for various diets, with low carbs and low-sugar content—try it with low car bread and peanut butter
This jam is ideal for those looking to cut down on sugar intake. It’s sweetened with erythritol and stevia, which are both generally considered safe and healthy.
Reviewers love that it’s keto-friendly and diabetic-friendly and note that it’s a bit on the thinner side. Do be aware that this jam does contain some preservatives, so if that’s something you’re trying to avoid, this may not be the jam for you.
Healthy Swaps Direct From Kara Swanson
One of my favorite healthy swaps is, instead of using jelly or jam, mashing some raspberries up and topping peanut butter with the fresh raspberries. It's such a yummy treat and an easy way to cut down on sugar.
Another easy swap you can do is by just topping your toast with fresh fruit to add some sweetness. It's easy, healthier, and a fun way to switch your peanut butter sandwich up. Try banana slices, strawberry slices, blueberries, or your favorite fruit!
More Toppings for Your Meal Time
Jelly's great and all, but what about all the other great condiments out there? Here are some of our favorite picks.
Top 5 Healthiest Jellies
When you purchase products mentioned in the article, part of the sales may be returned to mybest.
The descriptions of each product is referenced from the content available from the manufacturer, e-commerce sites etc.
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