If you want to add collagen to your diet but don’t know where to start, here are some simple ways for you to start incorporating this supplement into your everyday routine.
Hiya friends! For the past several months I’ve been sharing different recipes using collagen from Vital Proteins. If you’re new to collagen, you can learn some more about that in this post.
But today I wanted to share with you just how easy it can be to add this supplement to your diet every day. Most of these ideas you don’t even really need a recipe for. It can be as simple as adding a scoop into your morning coffee, favorite smoothie, or even your salad dressings.
Everyday Easy Ways to Add Collagen to Your Diet
COFFEE
If you’re a coffee drinker, this is one of the easiest ways to add collagen into your daily routine–assuming coffee is a part of your daily routine.
I like to add about 1 scoop of the marine collagen peptides. It dissolves easily and is virtually tasteless! Of course I typically take my coffee like an “au lait”… but that’s besides the point.
MATCHA
Or if you’re a matcha fan, this is another way to add collagen into that super healthy green drink. I’ve been enjoying iced matcha lattes with some of the collagen beauty greens.
*update 2018* Vital Proteins now carries Matcha Collagen.
What you need
1/4 cup boiled water
1 tsp matcha powder
1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
1 cup favorite non-dairy milk
1 TBS Vital Proteins Collagen Beauty Greens
small blender
ice
DIRECTIONS: In a glass measuring cup or jar mix matcha powder and boiled water, whisk vigorously until combined. In small blender cup add non-dairy milk, cinnamon, Collagen Beauty Greens, and matcha water mix. You can also add sweetener here if you wish. I typically add one drop of stevia. Blend about 5-10 seconds. Transfer matcha drink to glass filled with ice. Enjoy!
SMOOTHIES
Who here loves their smoothies?! I, for one, love smoothies and have them easily 4-5 times a week. Whether it’s for breakfast, a post-workout snack… or if I am really lazy and Drew isn’t home for dinner sometimes I’ll make a big smoothie bowl because it is basically dinner + dessert in one 😀
Here is just a simple peach & strawberry banana smoothie with 2 scoops of collagen peptides. The grass-fed beef collagen has 18 grams of protein per serving (2 scoops), which is a good amount to get in per meal for active individuals. I used about 1 cup total of frozen fruit chunks, 1 cup of almondmilk, and 2 scoops of the collagen peptides.
DRESSINGS
YES, in your dressings! My favorite favorite FAVORITE salad dressing to make at home is this cashew butter dressing. I kid you not everyone LOVES it. My father-in-law even was using it as a steak sauce…
What you need
3.5 TBS balsamic vinegar
2.5 TBS cashew butter
1.5 TBS pure grade B maple syrup
1 tsp extra virgin olive oil
1 tsp stone ground mustard
1-2 TBS water (to desired consistency)
salt and pepper, to taste
1 scoop Vital Proteins Marine Collagen Peptides (or grass-fed beef)
DIRECTIONS: Use small blender or food processor to blend all of your ingredients. Drizzle on salad and store leftover in fridge up to 5-7 days.
You could also add about 1 tsp of peptides to your own individual serving of dressing. Either way works and just another option for adding some collagen into your meals.
SNACKS
You can never have enough snacks, am I right? These energy balls require just FIVE INGREDIENTS. Here we’re using the Collagen Whey: Cocoa & Coconut Water.
*updated: Vital Proteins no longer carries cocoa & coconut water. Sub Collagen Whey Vanilla & Coconut Water.
What you need
1 cup rolled oats
4 scoops Vital Proteins Collagen Whey: cocoa + coconut water
1/4 cup all natural peanut butter (or nut butter of choice)
1/4 cup honey
3 TBS mini chocolate chips
Directions: In a medium sized bowl mix together oats and collagen whey. Add in peanut butter, honey, and sprinkle in chocolate chips. Use large spatula to fully combine. Transfer bowl to freezer for 10 minutes for easier rolling. When the mixture is cold, use rounded tablespoon to roll into balls. Store in container in fridge, about 10-12 days.
OATMEAL
If you’re an oatmeal fan, it’s really quick to add collagen peptides or the gelatin into your cooked oatmeal. Make your favorite oatmeal and just stir it in at the end.
Here is a simple recipe
1/3 cup of rolled oats (or quick)
1/2 of milk
cinnamon and honey
Directions: Microwave your oats (about 1 minute) and then stir in 1-2 scoops of peptides or gelatin. Top with more cinnamon, add some nut butter, fruit, go crazy!
NUT BUTTER
If you’re anything like me and have a collection of nut butters in your cupboard, this is for you! The collagen peptides are super easy to add into your nut butter. Once you toast your bread, you can just add your nut butter on your toast, sprinkle the peptides into your butter, and spread around until evenly combined. So easy! Throw on some seeds for fun.
YOGURT
Yogurt–particularly skyr or Greek– is an awesome filling snack. I pretty much always have yogurt in the fridge. It’s just one of those staple items in our household. When I don’t know what to have for breakfast, yogurt is an easy option. My favorite is Siggi’s, in case you couldn’t tell. Compared to most brands out there, Siggi’s has simple ingredients, low sugar and high protein.
All you have to do with the peptides is stir in a scoop (or two depending on your needs) into your favorite yogurt. I like to top mine with fresh berries and some nut butter! I typically go for the marine collagen when adding to yogurt, but the grass-fed beef collagen works just as well. Again, both virtually tasteless.
let’s chat
- If you are already on the collagen train, do you have any additional easy ways to add collagen peptides or gelatin to your diet you can share?
If you try anything, be sure to let me know! You can tag me on Instagram @fitmittenkitchen #fitmittenkitchen
NOTE: This post contains Amazon/Vital Proteins affiliate links. Purchasing products listed through the links comes at no extra charge to you, but I will receive a small commission. Thank you for supporting Fit Mitten Kitchen!
More Collagen Recipes
rachel @ athletic avocado says
I love all of vital protein’s products but I have yet to try them in oatmeal, nut butter, dressing and coffee! I’ve got a lot of recipes to try now! It’s awesome that you can get all the benefits of collagen no matter what you’re eating 🙂
Ashley says
Yes now you have so many ideas to try! 😀
Megan @ Skinny Fitalicious says
These are such great tips girl! I love adding my collagen to my morning coffee. It’s so easy!
Ashley says
Thanks so much Megan! The coffee is truly the easiest thing.
Erin @ The Almond Eater says
You make it sounds so easy! Probably because it is, huh? Also I should probably start incorporating collagen into my diet like yesterday.
Ashley says
Haha, you really should!! It is so easy, and I mean I have to keep these wrinkles at bay for as long as I can, I’m in my UPPER 20s!! *gasp* Jk, they’re already here. Long hurr don’t curr.
Marina @ A Dancer's Live-It says
This is awesome! Totally need to jump on the collagen train now because I didn’t realize it could be used in so many ways! Thanks Ashley!! 🙂
Ashley says
Of course Marina! Let me know if you have any questions 🙂
Dani @ Dani California Cooks says
This is super helpful and gives me a lot of good inspiration!! I’ve just been mixing into coffee or tea but I like these other ideas
Ashley says
So glad it was helpful Dani! 🙂
Coral says
How many tablespoons in one scoop of Vital Proteins Collagen Gelatin?
Ashley says
Hi Coral–it comes out to equal 1 full tablespoon actually!
Celeste Noland says
This is the best beginner”s guide I’ve found, thanks!
Ashley says
Awesome! Happy to help, Celeste 🙂 Thanks for stopping by!
Jennifer says
Hi! Just wondering, does vital protein collagen peptide affect the texture when using it to bake? I usually have trouble whenever I want to add extra protein to my baked goods because they end up turning dry/affecting the texture of the final product (ie. protein powders like whey drying out the baked goods)
Ashley says
In my experience it doesn’t change it really – I would add the peptides when mixing the wet ingredients and you should be good!
Ileana says
I thought we needed to add the collagen in hot or tap water liquid to dissolve. I drink a smoothie every morning but of course is cold. Would that work even if it turns lumpy?
Ashley says
Collagen peptides will dissolve in both hot and cold liquid – that is the beauty of using the peptides versus the gelatin. I add the collagen peptides into smoothies often and it has never gone lumpy. It does get a little bit “frothy” but that is all I have experienced.
Kelly Strothers says
I just got my u use o e whole package in a smoother