Collagen – Superfood Spotlight with Kate McCabe

Hi Friends!

I am excited to share a special guest post today. Our first guest is Kate McCabe and she is a nutritionist, plant-based chef, yoga teacher, and holistic lifestyle blogger based in West Palm Beach, FL. I asked Kate to shed some light on a (new) superfood that I have been getting a lot of questions about lately….collagen. I put collagen in my morning coffee & smoothies and so far have loved the results. However, I wanted to have her really dig deep on why it is so good for you! I will let her take it away and share some expert advice about this subject! 

SUPERFOOD SPOTLIGHT: COLLAGEN 

Hi everyone! My name is Kate & I am so excited to be sharing on Very Allegra today! 

Let’s talk “superfoods” for a hot second. It feels as if each week there’s a new must-have, exotic-sounding, and confusingly expensive ingredient that is promised to cure all our health + beauty woes. As a nutritionist, I always preach a whole foods-focused diet: eat your greens, don’t be scared of fruit, keep your animal products clean, and steer clear of anything processed + packaged. I’m here to tell you what you already intuitively know – there is no one magical food or herbal supplement that will do what consistently eating clean, whole foods will. This applies to our physical health, beauty, and how we feel emotionally. 

However, while maintaining a balanced, veggie-centered diet is a non-negotiable and crucial first step towards more vibrant health + beauty, incorporating a few “superfoods” here and there makes for a really potent addition. Today, I’m breaking down the science behind one of the trendiest new foods to hit the health scene: collagen.

Both Allegra and I use and love collagen in our personal diets, and it’s a supplement I recommend to nearly all my friends + clients. It’s kind of unparalleled when it comes to beautifying and nourishing the skin. Collagen is the main structural protein found in our skin and other connective tissue, and as we age our levels naturally within the body begin to decrease, causing skin to age, wrinkle, and dull. Supplementing with collagen helps to repair and heal damaged skin tissue (from breakouts, sun damage, and aging), plump the skin, and create an overall glow. 

Collagen is also good for…

Collagen also supports gut health, which is truly the basis for how we will feel throughout the rest of the body + mind. Stress and poor eating habits (which so many of us fall victim to) take a serious toll on our digestive system and gut health, and the breakdown of this system results in a breakdown of our immunity, energy levels, sleep, nutrient absorption, skin health, and digestive function. Caring for our gut health through probiotic- and fiber-rich foods, lots of sleep, limited sugar consumption, and reduced stress are all so very key to whole body wellness, but even then we can fall short in rebuilding what was lost through years of poor diet and general neglect of our health. Daily doses of collagen helps to literally rebuild the lining of the digestive system, bolstering our gut and overall health. It’s one of the quickest and most effective means of restoring balance to the body.

Part of what I love so much about collagen is how truly easy it is to incorporate into the diet. It has virtually no taste or smell, and dissolves instantly in hot or cold liquids. I often add a scoop or two to my morning matcha latte, smoothie, or oatmeal, and I know Allegra loves it in her bulletproof coffee.

Smoothie Recipe

Get creative and explore what the easiest (and most delicious) option is for your body. If you’re in need a quick dose of inspiration, I’ve included an ultra-simple yet potently health-boosting collagen smoothie recipe below. 

1/2 frozen banana

1/2 cup mango

1/2 cup pineapple

~1 tsp ground or fresh grated turmeric

1/2 cup unsweetened light coconut milk

2 heaping tbsp grass-fed collagen peptides (unflavored)

Directions:

In your blender, add all ingredients and combine until smooth and creamy. You may need to add a bit more liquid to reach your desired consistency. If you want a bit more spice, you can slowly add more turmeric as well. Enjoy immediately! 

Optional: top with unsweetened coconut flakes and a tsp of local bee pollen.

Kate McCabe is a nutritionist, plant-based chef, yoga teacher, and holistic lifestyle blogger based in West Palm Beach, FL. For deeper insights and more recipes, you can connect with her on her blog SolfulHealth.com and Instagram @solfulhealth.