What's the deal with Collagen?

I've gotten a lot of questions recently about why I'm dumping collagen into various liquids, including but not limited to coffee, water, and Red Bull (don't recommend that last one. The carbonation seems to disagree with it).

What I'm dumping in is Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides, and what I put in my smoothies and smoothie bowls is the Vital Proteins Collagen Whey. So what's the deal with collagen, and what are all of these different types I bombard you with?

Collagen peptides provide a laundry list of benefits and are available either made from bovine (Collagen Peptides) or wild-caught snapper, which is the Marine Collagen option. I consider them a solid boost to my daily vitamin regimen because they cover so much of what I take vitamins for. They help keep bones healthy and strong, help balance your diet, and are good for building and preserving muscle. I use them nearly every single day in my coffee and sometimes my juice. The blue container you see me post about so often is unflavored, but I'm a huge fan of the vanilla coconut water flavor as well. The only thing I DO NOT recommend you mix them with is a whey protein powder because it's pretty hard on the stomach. It gives me a stomach ache if I combine them. If I'm after the benefits of both, I use the Collagen Whey.

The Collagen Whey I use as a replacement for protein powder in smoothies and smoothie bowls. I don't usually drink it alone, because the only time I use protein shakes is as a meal replacement, and I want something rich tasting and ultra-filling in those situations. (For those, I use Unico Apollo protein powder in a heavy flavor, like Chocolate Peanut Butter or Cinnamon Roll. More on that next week) That said, the Collagen Whey is a perfect whey for a smoothie bowl or smoothie. I personally love the Vanilla Coconut Water flavor of that as well, and I also do like the Cocoa flavor, though I usually add a bit of the Hershey's Syrup + Calcium, because I like my chocolate to be insanely chocolate-y! 

Recipe for my favorite PB&J Smoothing with Vanilla Coconut Water Collagen Whey:

  • Ingredients:
    • 1 cup berries (I prefer raspberries and strawberries together!)
    • 1 Frozen Banana
    • 2 tsp. (or more, if you wish!) of your favorite nut butter
    • 1 handful of spinach
    • 2 scoops of Vital Proteins Vanilla Coconut Water Collagen Whey
    • 1 Scoop ice (optional; I prefer a thinner smoothie so I just use the banana)
  • Put all ingredients, minus the Vital Proteins, into the blender and switch on, being sure to keep the nut butter away from the walls of the blender. As smoothie begins to smooth out, mix in two scoops of Collagen Whey. Blend. Enjoy! It's that easy. My only suggestion is that you add more ice if you're looking for a smoothie bowl, and less if you're looking for a smoothie to drink :)

But there is more to Vital Proteins than just these collagen products. Another product that I'm anxious to try is the Beef Gelatin. The Beef Gelatin is a digestive aid, which honestly I need pretty badly. I'll avoid the TMI, but I do already have to take a couple of probiotics to keep everything running in my gut. A lot of it has to do with my incredibly unstable eating. One week I'm going healthy, the next I have McDonald's for breakfast five times. I follow my cravings because I'm weak. No but seriously. I can't resist a craving to save my life.

Beef Gelatin helps to strengthen your stomach lining, remove inflammation, and also improve your gut health overall. I'm desperate for this and so excited to try it out. This will be something I stick a scoop of in my coffee. Being gelatin, I'll make sure to drink it fast, hahaha. A fun option Vital Proteins offers is to make it into gummies! So I'm going to include that recipe below:

There are new products on the horizon for Vital Proteins that I'm very excited to try! I'll be sure to keep you posted, but you can also follow Vital Proteins on Instagram (@VitalProteins) to stay in the loop!

--B

 

 

BrittanyComment