What is Pectin and is it ok to eat?

tumsbums
tumsbums Posts: 32 Member
edited August 2015 in Food and Nutrition
Hi! I am trying to eat a bit healthier and not eat as many processed foods! One thing I have noticed on a lot of sauces and yogurts I use is an added thickener - Pectin.

I understand that pectin is used in jams etc, but I was wondering if it's ok to be consumed as an additive in quite a few of my foods? I eat lots of natural pectin from apples and berrys, so hopefully it's still ok for me to eat quite a bit of "artificially added" pectin?

Thanks for any info! :smiley:

Replies

  • LKArgh
    LKArgh Posts: 5,178 Member
    Pectin is fiber, so nothing dangerous about it. Now, if you were to buy packets of pectin and start gulping them down, I suspect diarrhea would follow, but I doubt anyone would really do this ;)
  • dizzieblondeuk
    dizzieblondeuk Posts: 286 Member
    As you say, natural pectin comes from apples and other fruits. It's a natural thickener - it's how jams get thick and set. If you're making jam with a fruit that has a lower pectin level, 'jam sugar' is sugar specifically made with added pectin. Many manufacturers, instead of using something like guar gum (another type of thickener derived from beans), they get extracted pectin from fruits and use that in their food instead. Pectin is considered a safe product (GRAS - "generally recognised as safe" - designated). In the quantities you find it in these foods, there will be absolutely no impact on your health.

    However, if you're trying to avoid 'processed' foods - and I know what you mean, even if there are others here who'll jump down your throat for using that phrase - then perhaps try Greek yogurt, which is thick naturally, and should only contain milk and cultures as an ingredient list. Or try yogurts without thickeners added - here in the UK, there are a number of brands that only have milk, cultures and fruit added. It's a much thinner consistency, but the ingredient list is satisfyingly short!
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  • jeffpettis
    jeffpettis Posts: 865 Member
    When trying to lose weight one of the worst things you can do is start labeling foods "good" or "bad". There is no food or food additive that will in and of itself "cause" you not to lose weight. Weight loss comes from a calorie deficit alone no matter what you eat. Unless you have a specific food allergy focus on your deficit and don't worry about the small details.
  • dizzieblondeuk
    dizzieblondeuk Posts: 286 Member
    jeffpettis wrote: »
    When trying to lose weight one of the worst things you can do is start labeling foods "good" or "bad". There is no food or food additive that will in and of itself "cause" you not to lose weight. Weight loss comes from a calorie deficit alone no matter what you eat. Unless you have a specific food allergy focus on your deficit and don't worry about the small details.
    However, the OP doesn't mention this in the context of losing weight - they talk about healthy foods, and trying to avoid processed foods. It doesn't matter if foods with additives will cause you to lose weight or not - that's entirely not the point!

    People are allowed to 'worry about the small details' as you put it - if the contents of processed food concern them, it's a valid question as to what pectin is, and whether it's OK to consume in large quantities. In any case, you can focus on your deficit AND look at exactly what you're eating at the same time. Multitasking is possible, you know! Especially for women! ;)

  • Kalikel
    Kalikel Posts: 9,603 Member
    Pectin used a lot in jams and jellies because it makes them gel up. I don't know if the gel in gelatin is why jellies are called jelly, but that's what the pectin does. It a gelatinous carb and occurs naturally.

    I assume that's why they add it to yogurt, for the consistency.

    I wouldn't sweat pectin, personally, and I'm not a huge fan of additives.
  • tumsbums
    tumsbums Posts: 32 Member
    Thanks for all your input guys, this really helped! And yes, you are so right dizzieblondeuk! - I am not trying to loose weight, just wanting to eat in a more positive way! Thank you though to all your replies
  • jgnatca
    jgnatca Posts: 14,464 Member
    You could get some natural yogurt and then make your own. It's one of my pet peeves that North American manufacturers presume to "improve" on the texture of natural yogurts by adding thickeners. They're not needed.
  • quiltlovinlisa
    quiltlovinlisa Posts: 1,710 Member
    Kalikel wrote: »
    Pectin used a lot in jams and jellies because it makes them gel up. I don't know if the gel in gelatin is why jellies are called jelly, but that's what the pectin does. It a gelatinous carb and occurs naturally.

    I assume that's why they add it to yogurt, for the consistency.

    I wouldn't sweat pectin, personally, and I'm not a huge fan of additives.

    Gelatin is something else entirely, since it's an animal product, where pectin occurs in fruits. The difference between jelly and jam is pulp content. Jam is made from fruit pulp, so you get bits of fruit and jelly is made from juice, so it's pulp free.

    I wouldn't worry about pectin either. Pick a yogurt you like that fits your macros.

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