The Best Way to Take Collagen

The best way to take collagen is with food! My nourishing meal and snack ideas can help you eat deliciously AND get the benefits of collagen!

Just letting you know that I teamed up with Ancient Nutrition to bring you this sponsored post. I love their products and think you will too!

Hi friends! Today marks my 30th day of taking collagen, in multiple forms. You all have asked so much about it, so let’s discuss. Sound good? 

What is collagen and why do we need it?

Collagen is a protein that’s an important component in the connective tissues of your body. It gives strength to, among other things, skin structure, bones, tendons, and ligaments. (source)

Because our body naturally produces less collagen as we age, skin, hair and nails can reflect that, so the body craves a bit more collagen to help keep everything strong.

What’s the best way to take collagen?

There are a lot of ways to support your body’s own production of collagen in the body. Some people prefer injections, while others prefer more natural methods, like increasing the intake of collagen-rich foods like bone broth.

Personally, I think the best way to take collagen is through our diet, but to get an additional collagen boost, I also use collagen supplements.

Hydrolyzed supplements usually come in the form of capsules or powders, and are sometimes marketed as collagen peptides.

Ancient Nutrition (via Dr. Axe’s website–Dr. Axe is the co-founder of Ancient Nutrition) gave me the opportunity to try several of their supplements, and here’s how I incorporated them into my daily diet.

Delicious ways to take collagen protein

• Daily Smoothie– Collagen protein powder can be used just like any other protein powder.

I use the orange immune collagen combined with almond milk to create a creamsicle flavored breakfast drink.

If you want a thicker consistency, you can blend it with ice to make a smoothie or afternoon shake. Yum!

To make a delicious green smoothie, lightly steam some baby spinach, then blend it with the powder, frozen or fresh fruit, coconut milk, avocado, and raw honey or banana.

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• Other Drinks– I always add the unflavored one to coffee or matcha! Always. Love it.
  
• Brunch– The powder isn’t just for drinks, either. I add it to Sheet Pan Chocolate Protein Pancakes for an easy meal prep brunch!
  
• Snacks– Need a quick grab ‘n go snack idea? Add a scoop of the peptides to Low Sugar Energy Bars!
  
• Dessert– It’s also great mixed with coconut yogurt for dessert. The orange flavor is great with vanilla yogurt.

I’ve also added a scoop of collagen (or two) to vegetarian soups to increase amino acid and protein consumption. More on that (and my reasons behind it) below!

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Taking it at bedtime

I take the Beauty + Sleep with Magnesium Multi Collagen capsules every night. 3 capsules with 8 ounces of water. It helps to calm my body and restore skin/muscles.

Common questions about this product:

Does the coffee extract in it keep you up at night? Nope!

From the Ancient Nutrition compliance team: This information comes from our product page and states why we include ingredients such as coffee fruit extract:

“Clinically Studied Plant-Based Skin Supporter Pomegranate fruit extract, asparagus shoot, okra pod, coffee fruit extract, Japanese sophora flower, acerola cherry, camu camu fruit, acai berry and mangosteen fruit combine for support in the healthy skin and skin elasticity department. The best part? Our blend is backed by clinical research. In fact there is not even enough caffeine to disclose on the label.”

Ancient Nutrition compliance team

Isn’t that fantastic news?!

These capsules are perfect for anyone who needs an extra boost on the go, or if you just aren’t a fan of the powder form. They are easy to digest, and of course, they’re gluten free, paleo, made without dairy  and keto friendly!

Products like this are perfect for me, because I can’t digest muscle meat very well, due to my colon surgery.

So, I add the unflavored Collagen Reimagined to vegetable based soups like vegan tomato soup to boost my consumption of amino acids and protein.

This product has five three types of collagen – Types I, II, III, V and X from four food sources: bovine, chicken, fish, and egg.

Since taking it daily, I’ve also noticed that I have better sleep cycles, and thicker hair, too!

There you have it!

Will I continue to take collagen daily? You betcha! For me, it’s not only about gut health and overall wellbeing, but also for convenience. Quality protein that nourishes my body from the inside out. No cooking involved.

See? It fits perfectly into our monthly theme of EASY PREP recipes month. You’re welcome!

Please feel free to ask questions or share your experiences using it!

Cheers!
LC