Collagen-Supporting Plant-Based Menu: Part Three of a Three-Part Collagen Series

Okay, friends, if you've read Part One and Part Two of the Three-Part Collagen Series, you're probably ready ... drum roll, please ... for your Collagen-Supporting Plant-Based Menu!

How does this menu support collagen? It's power-packed with antioxidants and phytonutrients that help to prevent inflammation, which can result in collagen breakdown. It also contains the essential nutrients that facilitate collagen building including plant-based protein, copper, zinc, vitamin C, carotenoids, iron, hyaluronic acid, chlorophyll, and catechins.

Below is a snapshot of each menu with the full details and links to recipes below the snapshots. Feel free to substitute breakfast from day one with breakfast from day two or swap lunch day one with dinner day three. This is meant to be a guide. You can even swap ingredients. For example, swap red or orange peppers for carrots (they both provide vitamin C and carotenoids) or collards for kale or tempeh for tofu. They're all plants and they'll all support collagen synthesis while preventing collagen breakdown with their nutrient-dense content. Again, use this as a guide and make it your own! Have questions or feedback? Ask or comment below!

Collagen Supporting Menu Day One

Collagen Supporting Menu Day Two

Collagen Supporting Menu Day Three

Collagen Supporting Menu Day One Menu and Links

Breakfast

Pumpkin Spiced Maple Pecan Smoothie Bowl (pumpkin, banana, tahini, pecans or walnuts)

Lunch

Chickpea Pasta with Garlicky Mushrooms, Spinach, and Tomatoes (mushrooms, spinach, tomatoes, garlic, onion)

Snack

Crispy Chia and Hemp Seed Energy Bar (walnuts, pecans, dates, oats, chia seeds, hemp seeds)

Dinner

Kung Pao Broccoli and Tofu (broccoli, tofu, red bell pepper, orange bell pepper, black rice, peanuts)

Snack

One ounce dark chocolate and handful of blueberries

Collagen Supporting Menu Day Two Menu and Links

Breakfast

Chia Blueberry Oat Crumble (chia, blueberries, oats, lemon)

Lunch

Jamaican Jerk Tofu with Pineapple Salsa (tofu, carrots, pineapple, peppers, red onion, lime, cilantro)

Snack

One orange and a handful of almonds

Dinner

Kale Salad with Carrot Ginger Dressing (carrots, ginger, shallots, miso, tahini)

Snack

Roasted sweet potato with toasted pecans

Collagen Supporting Menu Day Three Menu and Links

Breakfast

Avocado toast on whole grain bread (or sweet potato "toast") layered with at least three veggies: a leafy green (kale, arugula or spinach), sliced radish or tomato, red onion, sprouts, cilantro or parsley

Lunch

Hearty Grilled Lentil Burgers (lentils, flax meal, walnuts, oats, carrots, onions, garlic, turmeric, tomato paste)

Snack

Antioxidant-Charged Smoothie (banana, apple, berries, spinach, almond butter, hemp seeds, chia seeds)

Dinner

Carrot Edamame Ginger Noodles (garlic, carrots, orange bell pepper, mushrooms, edamame, cilantro, green onion, sesame, miso, ginger)

Snack

One cup of strawberries with a sprinkle of flax meal and drizzle of dark chocolate

If you try the meal plan or any of the recipes, please share your experience below!

If you missed it, read How to Build Collagen Naturally: Part One of a Three-Part Collagen Series

and Do Collagen Supplements Work? Part Two of a Three-Part Collagen Series