Does Lucky Charms Have Pork: Is It Vegan?

Luck Charms is among the top cereals you will find in most homes across the US. One of the reasons why the meal is loved is because of its gluten-free nature. But, does Lucky Charms have gelatin?
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Lucky Charms Ingredients
Where Does Gelatin Come from?
Lucky Charms Gelatin Content
Homemade Vegan Lucky Charms
Health Benefits of Consuming Low Gelatin Content
Downsides of Consuming Gelatin
Conclusion

Yes, Lucky Charms contains gelatin that can be traceable from the pork collagen in the cereal. This collagen is a clear and tasteless additive added to most cereals that contain marshmallow bits. Read on to learn more about Lucky Charms gelatin content. But first;

Lucky Charms Ingredients

Most Lucky Charms lovers don’t even know what this cereal contains. Here are the key ingredients in this meal;

Whole grain oats
Corn starch
Corn syrup
Modified corn starch
Sugar
Dextrose

Other ingredients include 2% or less of the;

Gelatin
Salt
Trisodium Phosphate
Natural and artificial flavor
Yellow 5 & 6, Red 40, and Blue 1
A mix of various sources of Vitamin E added to preserve freshness

Now that you have an idea of what makes your favorite Lucky Charms, what is the Lucky Charms gelatin content?

Where Does Gelatin Come from?

Gelatin is a protein made from any animal that has collagen in its tissue. Most commonly, gelatin is derived from boiling pork or beef hides, bones, ligaments, and tendons. Gelatin is used as a thickener for food products such as ice cream, candies, marshmallows, yogurt, and pudding. It’s also used to create artificial fingernails.

The properties of gelatin vary according to its source (animal type). For instance, bone gelatin has a higher melting point than pork skin gelatin because the bone has a higher mineral content than the skin.

Lucky Charms Gelatin Content

The amount of gelatin in Lucky Charms cereal is less than 2% of the total content in the cereal. But, does Lucky Charms have Pork?

According to the manufacturer, General Mills, Luck Charms is made from pork collagen. Because of the pork element, Lucky Charms falls off the list of diet plans. For instance, the gelatin content makes this cereal not qualify for a vegan, kosher, or halal. So, if you only eat halal foods, Lucky Charms is something to avoid.

However, if you are looking for an alternative to this cereal then you can try out some other cereals that are free from pork gelatin. For instance, Kellogg’s Froot Loops has no pork in its ingredients list at all! But for vegan lovers, why not try homemade Vegan Lucky Charms?

Homemade Vegan Lucky Charms

If you love the Lucky Charms cereal but don’t want its gelatin content, you can prepare your own homemade Vegan Lucky Charms. Homemade Lucky Charms are easy to make and much healthier than the original version. You can add your favorite fruits, nuts, and seeds to make it even more nutritious.

This recipe is easy to make and will satisfy your cravings for the classic cereal treat. Here are the ingredients;

1 vegan cereal such as “Cheerios” or any other
⅛ teaspoon cream of tartar
½ cup sugar
⅓ cup aquafaba, (fluid from a can of chickpeas)
⅛ teaspoon agar powder
Vanilla bean paste (¾ teaspoon) you can also use vanilla extract
For the coloring, use, blue, red, and yellow food coloring

With the ingredients above, you can prepare your homemade vegan Luck Charms.

Health Benefits of Consuming Low Gelatin Content

If you are not allergic to gelatin content, consuming low amounts of it can provide you with several health benefits:

Gelatin supports digestive health: Gelatin contains amino acids that help in breaking down proteins so that they can be absorbed by our body. This helps improve digestion and nutrient absorption.
Gelatin supports skin health: Collagen is an important component of connective tissue that makes up our skin. Insufficient collagen intake can lead to early wrinkles, sagging skin, and other problems related to aging. Consuming gelatin-rich foods helps your skin look young and supple.
Gelatin supports muscle growth: Collagen is also an essential component of muscles along with proteins and fats. Consuming low gelatin-content foods will help you build strong muscles without any side effects like fatigue or weakness. It’s a perfect consumable for those who want to gain weight without adding fat!
Lower blood sugar: Gelatin is rich in glycine (an amino acid) which helps in increasing insulin sensitivity and thus helps in regulating blood sugar levels for people with Type 2 diabetes. Besides, it aids in reducing inflammation in the body.
Nutritional value: Gelatin carries antioxidants and proteins. The two help in protecting cells in the body, and maintain a healthy digestive system, skin, bones, and joints, among other body benefits.

Gelatin is also an excellent source of;

Magnesium
Calcium
Sodium
Selenium
Choline
Folate

Downsides of Consuming Gelatin

Gelatin is safe for most people, however, there are a few downsides to consuming it. They include;

It may cause digestive issues: Some people experience digestive issues after eating gelatin because it has no fiber and low water content. This can lead to constipation, belching, heartburn, and bloating.
It can cause some allergic reactions: Gelatin is derived from animal collagen, which means that it has the potential to cause an allergic reaction in those who are sensitive to animal products. This can manifest as hives or swelling of the facial area. If you have a history of eczema or food allergies, speak with your doctor before consuming gelatin supplements.

If you experience any allergic reactions after consuming gelatin content, seek medical advice immediately. The symptoms should resolve within 24 hours provided that you avoid further contact with this substance.

Conclusion

Lucky Charms gelatin content is equal to or less than 2% of the ingredients. Other contents include whole grain oats, corn starch and syrup, sugar, and dextrose among others. The primary source of gelatin is collagen which is derived from animal (cows or pigs) skin, bones, tendons, and ligaments. However, if you’re gelatin intolerant and still want to enjoy the Lucky Charms, you can prepare homemade vegan Lucky Charms. Even so, consuming low amounts of gelatin helps in supporting the digestive system, lowers blood sugar, and supports skin and muscle growth.