Collagen Powder For Ketogenic Diet: A Quick Guide

Collagen is the body's most abundant protein, acting as the glue that holds you together. It's responsible for repairing damaged cells and reducing inflammation. Collagen supplements are becoming increasingly popular, and for good reason. They can help protect your brain, treat heart disease, heal your gut, ease joint and knee pain, reduce back pain, improve skin elasticity, and strengthen nails.

Collagen powder is the most popular way to take collagen because it's easy to incorporate into foods and beverages and has a mild flavour. It's also easily modifiable, so manufacturers often add other nutrients like MCTs and vitamin C. When looking for collagen powder, look for collagen peptides or hydrolyzed powder, which is more readily absorbable by the body.

Collagen can be added to almost any liquid or semi-liquid meal. Many people add a scoop of collagen to their morning coffee or latte, incorporate it into smoothies, or use it in soups, stews, oatmeal, or other liquid or semi-liquid dishes.

Collagen powder can be added to almost any liquid or semi-liquid meal

Collagen powder is the most popular way to take collagen as it can be easily incorporated into foods and beverages. It has a very mild flavour, so it can be added to both sweet and savoury dishes.

Collagen powder is also a good option for those who find pills hard to swallow, or don't like the taste of liquid supplements. It's easy to mix into your favourite drink or meal, and most options are already flavoured, so you won't have to contend with any chemical tastes.

However, collagen powder must be mixed before it can be consumed, so it's not as convenient as capsules or liquid collagen.

Collagen capsules are an option for those who don't like adding powders to their drinks

Collagen capsules are a convenient option for those who don't like adding powders to their drinks. They are simply collagen powder put into capsules for ease of use. Many people opt for collagen capsules when they are travelling or if they struggle to find time in their day for collagen powder.

Collagen capsules have a minimal taste, if any at all, and are easy to take on the go. Plus, many capsules have a slow-release coating that helps them to be digested and absorbed at the right speed. However, for those who struggle to swallow pills, capsules may be challenging.

It is important to note that due to the limited space inside a capsule, it can be challenging to get a significant amount of collagen into your diet when taking it in capsule form. To get the same amount of collagen as you would from powder, you may need to take up to ten capsules per day.

Collagen can be taken in liquid form, either as a shot or added to a drink

Liquid collagen often comes in two forms: a condensed shot-like form, or a larger, more diluted form. The former is more concentrated and will need to be mixed with water, while the latter can be consumed straight from the bottle.

Liquid collagen is a good option for those who don't want to fuss with scooping or mixing powder. It's also portable and can be easily tossed into your gym bag for post-workout hydration. However, it's important to be aware of the potential for low-quality ingredients in liquid collagen, such as artificial sweeteners, chemicals, and preservatives.

Additionally, you may not get to choose your dose with pre-made liquid collagen, and it can be cumbersome to rely on a daily packaged beverage. Storing a tub of powdered collagen or a bottle of capsules may be more convenient.

Overall, liquid collagen offers a convenient way to consume collagen, especially for those who are always on-the-go. Just be sure to read the ingredient labels carefully and choose a product that aligns with your health goals.

Collagen injections are available, but these are designed to support skin health

Collagen injections are also available, although they are more specifically designed to support skin health instead of offering collagen support to your joints, bones, and other tissues. Also referred to as "dermal fillers," injectable collagen can be used in skincare to improve the appearance of wrinkles on your face and give you a more youthful, glowing complexion. If your primary reason for including collagen in your diet is to support skin health, collagen injections may be an option for you.

Collagen injections replenish the skin's natural collagen. By supplementing your skin's collagen, injections help smooth facial lines and some types of scars. The natural beauty of your skin is increased as the contour of the support structure is restored. Collagen can come from cows (bovine), pigs (porcine), or human cells.

Collagen injections include the following brands:

• Bellafill
• CosmoDerm
• CosmoPlast
• Zyderm
• Zyplast

Collagen injections are considered permanent, although results are reported to last up to 5 years. This is in comparison to HA fillers, which are temporary, only lasting around 3 to 6 months.

Before getting a collagen injection, you will need a collagen skin test. A small amount of collagen is injected into your forearm, and the area is monitored over the next month to look for any signs of an allergic reaction. If you don’t have any indication of an allergy, your doctor can proceed with collagen treatments.

Collagen injections are not offered over the counter. If you’re interested in collagen injections, you would need to work with a licensed healthcare practitioner such as a dermatologist or nurse practitioner who can provide the injections for you.

Collagen can be added to recipes and drinks, such as smoothies, soups, and coffee

Collagen powder is a versatile supplement that can be added to a variety of recipes and drinks. Its mild flavour and high solubility make it easy to incorporate into your diet. Here are some ways you can add collagen powder to your daily routine:

Smoothies

Collagen powder can be easily mixed into your favourite smoothie recipe. Simply add a scoop of collagen powder to your blender along with your choice of fruits, vegetables, and liquid base. For a chocolatey dessert smoothie, blend collagen powder with plain Greek yogurt, milk, a frozen banana, chocolate syrup, and ice. You can also add collagen powder to a berry-flavoured smoothie to mask any chalky taste or texture.

Soups

Cream-based soups, such as potato and leek soup or pasta alfredo, can be an ideal medium for collagen powder. The creaminess of these soups allows the collagen to be incorporated seamlessly without affecting the taste or texture. Simply whisk in a scoop of unflavoured collagen powder while preparing the soup.

Coffee

Stirring collagen powder into your morning coffee is a convenient way to get your daily dose. The unflavoured variety dissolves easily and does not affect the taste of your brew. For best results, gently stir a serving of collagen powder (about 20 grams) into your coffee until it is fully dissolved. You can also add collagen to butter coffee or bulletproof coffee, which are popular among those following a keto or intermittent fasting diet.

Tea

Similar to coffee, tea is another hot beverage that pairs well with collagen powder. The powder dissolves easily in hot tea and can be stirred in without affecting the flavour. Remember to stir thoroughly to prevent any unwanted clumping.

Oatmeal

The hearty texture of oatmeal makes it a great option for mixing in collagen powder. Try adding a scoop of collagen to your favourite oatmeal recipe, such as cinnamon roll oatmeal, for a nutritious breakfast.

Baking

Baked goods, such as muffins, brownies, and protein bars, can also be enhanced with collagen powder. Simply add a scoop of collagen to your batter before baking. The high temperatures of the oven will not affect the nutritional value of the collagen.

Frequently asked questions