If you don’t know about collagen, it is the most abundant protein in the body, created naturally in the bones, muscles, and skin. Collagen has a roundhouse kick of benefits, from promoting healthy skin, hair, nails, bones, and even joint health to keeping you running and benching. Since the body makes its own collagen, we can eat more whole foods that promote collagen production (like garlic, tomatoes, egg whites, and berries), but factors such as age, UV exposure, and smoking assist in the natural decline of that production.
Adding collagen to your diet can be as easy as snacking on marshmallows, thanks to collagen-infused snacks. From coffee creamer and protein bars to oatmeal cups and pre-made meals, men can enjoy the benefits of collagen without taking a supplement or mixing collagen powder into water. Collagen can be added to tons of snacks that make for tasty ways to increase collagen intake. With that in mind, here are the best collagen snacks you can buy right now, or you can read more about the collagen alternative, colostrum.
Picnik Unsweetened Collagen Creamer
Grass-fed collagen makes Picnik’s Collagen Creamer stand out from other kinds of milk and coffee mixers. Made from a high-quality blend of coconut cream, MCT oil, and grass-fed collagen, the taste is similar to creamy half-and-half. It’s dairy-free, soy-free, and has collagen — what else do you need to know? Get it.
A Dozen Cousins Rice
A Dozen Cousins Rice Cooked in Bone Broth is a convenient packet of rice cooked in collagen-rich bone broth instead of water. With flavors like classic, sea salt, and Spanish yellow rice, each packet cooks up in just 60 seconds in the microwave.
Bonafide Provisions Chicken Bone Broth
Make almost any meal a collagen meal by using Bonafide Provisions’ Chicken Bone Broth. Hearty and rich, this broth is made from organic free-range chicken bones that include frames, backs, wings, and particularly collagen-rich chicken feet. The founder is a clinical nutritionist (go figure) and her husband is a chef. They also make a collection of ready-to-enjoy soups with their classic collagen bone broth if that’s more your speed.
Left Coast Performance Peanut Butter Protein Spread
Left Coast Performance Peanut Butter Protein Spread has the creamy, dreamy texture of your favorite peanut butter with nine grams of satisfying protein. It has a delectably sweet cookie dough flavor and just three grams of net carbs per serving, making it suitable for those on the keto diet. The peanut butter is made with MCT oil and collagen, so you can feel good about what’s going into your body. It’s a filling, collagen-rich spin on regular peanut butter.
Pop + Bottle Vanilla Oat Milk Latte + Collagen
Pop + Bottle’s new Vanilla Oat Milk Latte + Collagen ticks the box for every 2021 functional trend we want in a pre-made coffee. First, it’s good coffee, then no refined sugar, plus oat milk, then a collagen boost. There’s no dairy and only organic ingredients. The hint of sweetness is from dates. The source of collagen is 5 grams of marine collagen with 18 amino acids “for an added glow to hair, skin, and nails.” Cool perk: no refrigeration required.
Vital Proteins Collagen Bars
Vital Proteins is known across the health food and supplements field as the collagen brand. The company went from collagen powders to collagen water and now collagen bars. With flavors like Lemon Vanilla, Mint Chocolate, Mixed Berry, Peanut Butter Chocolate, Raspberry Lemon, and Chocolate Almond Sea Salt, each bar contained 12 grams of collagen that has been tested to absorb and digest quickly for “maximum benefits,” says the brand. Plus, you’ll be eating 16-17 grams of protein and 6-8 grams of fiber. Yay for glowing skin and healthy digestion! Bonus: 4 grams or less of sugar, which is rare for a health bar.
Know Brainer Max Mallow Marshmallows
Bring healthy marshmallows on your next camping trip and secretly dose your buddies with collagen and watch as your gang gets more beautiful. Know Brainer’s Max Mallow Marshmallows are low carb, zero fat, gluten-free marshmallows made with collagen and MCT oil. These sweet nuggets are keto and diabetic-friendly.
Purely Elizabeth Collagen Protein Oats Cup
Breakfast in a cup is necessary for us sleepy people who never eat before going to work. Purely Elizabeth is helping us out with a sweet vanilla pecan Collagen Protein Oats Cup that includes a NuttZo nut butter squeeze pack (because nut butter is life). Just add water and zap in the microwave for a quick snack with grass-fed collagen, 11 grams of protein, and superfoods like organic quinoa and chia seeds.
Bulletproof Vanilla Shortbread Collagen Protein Bar
Don’t let yourself go hungry. These collagen protein bars are the perfect snack after a productive workout. Made of grass-fed collagen protein, these bars will give you healthier skin, bones, and joints. Aside from its health benefits, it has the delicious taste of vanilla shortbread that’s gluten-free, dairy-free, and non-GMO. You won’t have to worry about snacking on one more protein bar because it’s totally guilt-free.
