Collagen vs Protein Powder: What’s The Difference?

Upping your protein intake is an easy way to start your fitness goals. And more often than not, collagen and protein powder are used interchangeably. However, there’s quite a difference between the two. Learn more about collagen vs protein powder and which one is the better choice for your goals.

Both collagen and protein powder have exploded in the fitness world over the last few years making it hard to know which one is best.

And though they are very similar in some ways, they have a lot of differences too.

As a Certified Nutrition Coach, I’ve been using both collagen and protein powder for over a decade. Each one can be used easily in:

• Smoothies
• Yogurts
• Puddings
• Oatmeal
• Baked goods

But that doesn’t mean that they’re interchangeable.

What Is Collagen?

Technically, collagen is a protein. It is mostly found in bones, skin, connective tissues, and meat. This means that bone broth contains collagen because it is made from bones (learn more about the difference between collagen and bone broth).

Benefits Of Collagen & What It’s Used For:

• Better digestion
• Improves immune system
• Glowing hair, skin, and nails
• Great for your own connective tissues
• Better muscle recovery
• Great for joints and bones

What Is Protein Powder?

Protein powder is a man-made powder that helps you get in the amino acids you need.

Whey protein: whey is one of the main proteins found in dairy. This protein tends to be fast-absorbing but causes bloating in a lot of people.

Casein protein: this protein is also dairy-based but tends to be more “slow-releasing”.

Plant-based (vegan) protein: these protein powders are often a blend of coconut, brown rice, pea protein, and sometimes soy to make up the best amino acid profile possible.

For the purpose of this blog post, we’re going to mostly be chatting about vegan protein powder.

Benefits of protein powder:

• Contains essential amino acids
• Easy to use
• Flavoured

Keep in mind that each protein powder is unique in flavor, texture, and how your body reacts to it. So that needs to be factored in.

Difference Between Collagen And Protein Powder

The main difference between the two is that protein powder actually contains all nine essential amino acids and collagen doesn’t!

Does this mean that you should only use protein powder? No.

Each day you need to replenish nine essential proteins for optimal health (your body cannot make them). Which means they must come from food.

A complete protein means it contains all nine.

And though collagen doesn’t contain all nine essential ones, it does contain ones we normally don’t take in as much.

Meaning, not every bite you eat needs to contain all nine. If you eat a varied diet, you’ll get enough of the essentials.

Absorption

Both collagen powder and protein powder absorb well in the body.

Though whey protein tends to absorb the best out of the powders, fermented vegan protein powder does really well.

However, since collagen powder is normally “hydrolyzed”, it is already semi-broken down. This means that collagen is pretty fast-acting.

If you need amino acids now, collagen is the way to go.

Building Muscle

Unless you’re an elite athlete, so long as you’re getting in adequate protein throughout the day, you don’t need to worry too much about timing.

That said, if you strength train, you do need to focus on getting in all nine essential amino acids. This is because as you train you break down more muscle in order to repair it.

In this case, protein powder can be really handy as it contains all the essentials.

Your Immune System

Because collagen is found in bones, skin, and meat, it is going to be better for your immune system hands down.

Protein powders, no matter how great, tend to have some additives in them. Especially vegan protein powders given they need a combination of ingredients to hit all amino acids.

Factor in things like flavor, and sweetener, and protein powder is no longer a “pure” source.

If you want to boost your immune system or gut health, go for collagen powder.

Texture, Taste, & Use

Much of this will come down to personal preference.

Collagen powder: normally unflavored, mixes better than protein powder, can be baked easily. Check out these collagen powder recipes.

Protein powder: sweeter, easy to use, vegan protein can have a chalky taste though, and doesn’t bake as well since it absorbs so much liquid.

Which Is Better: Collagen Or Protein Powder?

Neither!

Both can be beneficial and used in a healthy diet depending on your goals.

Since collagen powder is a “cleaner” or more pure source of protein, I think it’s a better option.

However, with collagen powder, you need to make sure that you’re getting in your other amino acids throughout the day (which isn’t a problem if you eat meat).

Choose the option that suits your lifestyle best and readjust as you need to.

Personally, I keep both on hand and use them both!

Where To Buy Collagen powder

Collagen has multiple options for consumption. The most popular nowadays are collagen supplements in pill form (normally called collagen peptides)

Though collagen supplements can be great, I prefer to get my collagen peptides from powder.

Not only does it mix easily, but it pairs a protein with whichever food I’m eating and gives me an intake boost for the day.

I mix collagen powder into smoothies, energy balls, dairy-free yogurt, and oatmeal, you name it.

I use Perfect Supplements Collagen powder because it’s:

• 100% Hydrolyzed Collagen peptides (11 grams of Collagen per serving)
• Sourced EXCLUSIVELY From Brazilian Pasture Raised (Grass Fed) Cows
• 100% Natural and Pesticide and Hormone Free
• World's First Certified Glyphosate Residue Free Collagen
• It has no fillers

Where To Buy Protein Powder

This is a personal choice as each protein powder is unique. learn more about choosing protein powder for your goals and grab these 30 vegan protein powder recipes.

Genuine Health’s Fermented Vegan Protein Powder is one of my favorites because it helps you truly fuel.

Made with 20 grams of plant-based protein, this vegan protein powder is dairy-free, gluten-free, non-GMO, and certified organic.

But my personal favorite is that this protein is fermented. This normally meals a little less "protein powder bloat" because it helps break down the grains, nuts, and legumes.

This protein powder literally gives you the best of both worlds.

Shop the Genuine Health Store on Amazon

Healthy Recipes Using Collagen And Protein Powder

• Fudgy protein brownies
• How to increase protein intake (without protein powder)
• Protein granola
• Chunky monkey homemade protein ice cream
• Flourless peanut butter protein muffins
• Overnight cookie dough protein oats
• Chocolate chia protein balls
• Peanut butter and jam protein balls
• Chocolate chip protein powder muffins
• Chocolate fudge protein balls
• Easy, no-bake vanilla protein bar
• Peanut butter protein baked oats
• Peanut butter protein cups
• High protein snack recipes 

Unleash Your Energy

The ultimate roundup of high protein snack recipes for hectic lifestyles. 

Trying to lose weight postpartum and not feeling ravenous was frustrating with my first.

It took a whole other pregnancy for me to realize that eating more protein was the “secret” solution.

Unfortunately, living off eggs and chicken breasts sucked after a while.

The solution? I started creating high-protein recipes that tasted more like dessert to help boost my intake.

Say goodbye to mid-day slumps, slow metabolism, and constantly feeling hungry.

I gave the protein bars to a friend of mine with a gluten allergy; I usually can't give her the food I make so I saved these for her. She absolutely loved them, she said most of the protein bars she eats are way too dry but these were great! - Stephanie

They’re the secret to helping you stay energized, enjoy what you eat, and meet your goals.

Frequently Asked Questions About Collagen Versus Protein Powder

Shelby aka Mama Bear