Have you ever been at a loss for snacks to make that are not packaged? If you’re anything like me, finding a good protein-rich snack that is nourishing for both mama and the whole family is sometimes hard to come by. That’s where my simple collagen gummies for whole family health come into play. These support collagen intake for the integral prenatal and postpartum seasons, and are good enough for the whole family to enjoy them!
Bonus? The brand I use and recommend is third party tested for heavy metals and chemicals, making it a super clean product for adding protein into your diet. It is also flavor-less, making it easy to add to a variety of baking goods, not just these gummies.
Recommended Bovine Gelatin (form of collagen needed to be thickening agent in gummies): Perfect Supplements (discount code: DRKAYLA for 10% off)
Today, we are breaking down the recipe for collagen gummies. These are a favorite snack for both myself and my littles, and I am excited for you and your family to enjoy them too.
Why is Collagen Needed for Prenatal Protein?
Collagen, often celebrated for its beauty benefits, plays a crucial role during pregnancy. This essential protein supports the body as it undergoes rapid changes, helping to maintain skin elasticity, support joint health, and strengthen connective tissues. As your baby grows, collagen assists in the formation of your little one’s bones and cartilage, while also aiding in your own recovery postpartum. Understanding the importance of collagen during this transformative period can help you nurture both your body and your baby, ensuring a healthier, more resilient journey into motherhood.
As a physical therapist, I care about collagen during pregnancy because it is literally the building block for our musculoskeletal system. During pregnancy, a woman’s body undergoes significant changes, including increased joint laxity and postural changes, which can strain muscles, ligaments, and tendons. Collagen helps maintain the strength and flexibility of these tissues, reducing the risk of injury and discomfort.
A deeper dive into each of these pain points and changes that our bodies undergo during pregnancy can be found in my Pregnancy Program. Collagen is one component of a science-backed approach to nourishing and moving your body in pregnancy to help both you and baby feel your best, prepare for childbirth and minimize common aches and pains that arise during this time of great transition.
Why is Collagen beneficial for Postpartum Recovery?
Postpartum, the body needs to recover from the physical demands of childbirth. Collagen plays a key role in tissue repair, aiding in the healing of stretched or damaged ligaments and muscles, including those affected by diastasis recti or pelvic floor dysfunction. For a physical therapist, promoting collagen health can enhance recovery outcomes, improve mobility, and support overall musculoskeletal function, making it a vital consideration in prenatal and postnatal care.
Recovery postpartum is a critical time when a woman’s body works to heal and regain strength after the physical demands of childbirth. During this period, collagen becomes especially important for addressing specific healing needs in the core and pelvic floor.
The connective tissues, including those in the pelvic floor and abdominal muscles, may have been stretched or weakened, leading to issues like diastasis recti, pelvic pain, or incontinence. Collagen aids in the repair and regeneration of these tissues, helping to restore their strength and function.
Additionally, postpartum women often experience joint pain and stiffness due to hormonal changes that persist after pregnancy. By supporting joint health and reducing inflammation, collagen can help alleviate discomfort and enhance mobility. As a physical therapist, focusing on collagen health for my patients is a key component in designing effective rehabilitation programs, ensuring that women recover more fully and confidently as they transition into motherhood. This is part of my holistic approach and something I dive deep into within my Postpartum Program.
Collagen for Whole Family Health
Collagen isn’t just beneficial for specific stages like pregnancy and postpartum; it’s a cornerstone of health for the entire family.
As the most abundant protein in the body, collagen supports the structure and function of various tissues, including skin, hair, nails, joints, and bones. For growing children, collagen is essential for the development of strong bones and flexible joints, helping to prevent injuries as they engage in physical activities. Adults, especially those leading active lifestyles, benefit from collagen’s ability to maintain joint health, reduce the risk of injury, and support muscle recovery after exercise.
Our bodies naturally produce less collagen as we age, which can lead to signs of aging like wrinkles, joint pain, and decreased bone density. Supplementing collagen can help counteract these effects, promoting (more) youthful skin, strong bones, and overall vitality.
For the elderly, collagen plays a critical role in maintaining mobility and reducing the risk of degenerative conditions like osteoarthritis. It supports the health of cartilage, the tissue that cushions joints, thereby reducing pain and improving function in everyday activities. Additionally, collagen’s role in maintaining skin elasticity and hydration can help older adults retain a more youthful appearance and protect against skin damage. For the whole family, from toddlers to grandparents, incorporating collagen into the diet can be a simple yet powerful way to support long-term health and well-being, ensuring that everyone remains active, vibrant, and resilient at every stage of life.
Collagen Gummies that the Whole Family will Love
We love having these on hand for a sweet treat that is nutrient dense, offers a boost of protein and is without any harmful filler ingredients. Super simple ingredients that the whole family will love! I started making these during pregnancy, continued throughout postpartum and now we make as a regular snack to have for a quick grab and go at all times.
Hope you and your family enjoy these healthy gummy snacks as much as we have!
Recipe: Simple Collagen Gummies
INGREDIENTS
- 1.5 cups organic juice*
- 4 Tbsp grass-fed gelatin (Recommended brand: Perfect Supplements (discount code: DRKAYLA for 10% off))
- Optional: Packet of electrolytes (I often use a packet of LMNT to add flavor and nutrient value: get a Free Sample Pack with this link!)
INSTRUCTIONS
- Place a small saucepan over medium-low heat.
- Pour 1.5 cups organic juice into the saucepan while it is heating.
- Stir the gelatin in until it completely dissolves.
- Once you no longer see the gelatin granules, remove mixture from heat.
- Use a syringe to squeeze mixture into gummy molds (we love using fun shapes like dinosaurs, bears and hearts).**
- Place in the refrigerator to chill for 30 min, or until gelatin sets.
RECIPE TIPS
*You can use any juice you’d like, with the exception of pineapple (because pineapple has a digestive enqyme that will cause the gelatin not to gel!).
**You can also pour mixture into a glass dish and cut into blocks. This option is quicker than using the syringe, but my kids love helping to squeeze the mixture into fun shapes. This is personal preference!
NOTE: If you mixture thickens while you are in the process of using the syringe to transfer into the silicone shape molds, you can gently reheat the mixture on your stovetop until liquifies again. When my kids help and the process takes longer than doing it independently on my own, I often have to reheat the mixture for a bit!
Collagen for Whole Family Health
We hope you and your family love making these as much as we do! These collagen gummies have become a staple in our homemade snack line-up. Once your create them once, I promise the process will get easier each time. Have fun curating different flavors together! Here’s some of our favorite combos:
- Tart Cherry Juice + Raspberry LMNT
- Mango Juice + Orange LMNT
- Trader Joe’s “Power of 7” Red Organic Juice + Watermelon LMNT
Do you have a favorite combo? Let me know over on Instagram @drkaylaborchers!
My kiddos and I are always looking for more ways to add collagen into our snack line-up to support whole family health across the lifespan. Excited to support you along the way, too!
