No, gelatin comes from animal collagen. Agar-agar, a seaweed-derived gelling agent, is the closest plant-based substitute, though it behaves a bit differently in liquid.
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See the Full BreakdownHow to Substitute Agar-Agar
At a Glance
- Use about 1 teaspoon of agar-agar powder in place of 1 tablespoon of gelatin
- Agar needs to be briefly simmered, not just bloomed in cold or warm water
- Let it cool slightly before drinking
Quick Take
Agar-agar is the go-to vegan swap for texture, but it isn't a protein source the way gelatin is, so the appetite effect may be milder.
Why Agar Isn't a Perfect Match
Agar-agar comes from red algae, not collagen, so it replicates gelatin's gelling texture almost exactly, but it's essentially carbohydrate-based fiber, not protein. Since the gelatin trick's appetite effect leans heavily on protein, a plant protein powder alongside the agar closes that gap better than agar alone.
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