It's Sunday afternoon and a pot of bone broth has been simmering for six hours. The kitchen smells incredible, and you're feeling very virtuous. Then Monday hits, the broth runs out, and it's back to toast and coffee. Sound familiar? Eating collagen rich foods is a great habit, but it's hard to stay consistent. In this guide we list the foods high in collagen, the everyday foods that help your body make its own, and where a measured daily serve like EverGlow marine collagen powder fits in.
First, a Quick Collagen Fact
Collagen is a protein found in animal connective tissue: skin, bones, tendons and cartilage. That means only animal foods contain collagen. Plants don't. When you eat collagen, your body digests it into amino acids and small peptides, then uses those building blocks wherever they're needed. Your body also makes its own collagen, and that process relies on nutrients like vitamin C, zinc and copper.
Collagen Rich Foods: What Contains Collagen
1. Bone broth
Simmering bones and connective tissue for hours releases collagen and gelatin into the liquid. Amounts vary a lot between recipes.
2. Gelatin
Gelatin is cooked collagen. It's the base of jellies and panna cotta, and can be stirred into warm drinks.
3. Chicken skin, wings and feet
Chicken's connective tissue is naturally rich in collagen, which is why chicken feet are popular in broths.
4. Fish skin
Fish skin is the source of marine collagen. Cook salmon or barramundi skin-on and eat it crispy.
5. Oxtail, beef shin and tendon
Slow-cooked, gelatinous cuts are high in collagen and become silky when braised.
6. Pork skin
Pork crackling and pork rind contain collagen, though they're best enjoyed occasionally.
Foods That Help Your Body Make Collagen
Vitamin C foods
Vitamin C contributes to normal collagen formation for the normal function of skin. Great sources include oranges, kiwifruit, strawberries, red capsicum, broccoli and tomatoes. Read more in our guide to vitamin C and collagen.
Zinc foods
Zinc contributes to the maintenance of normal skin, hair and nails. Find it in oysters, lean red meat, pumpkin seeds, chickpeas and cashews.
Copper foods
Copper contributes to normal connective tissue. Sources include nuts, seeds, wholegrains and dark chocolate.
Protein foods
Your body builds collagen from amino acids like glycine and proline. Eggs, fish, chicken, dairy, legumes and tofu all supply protein.
Collagen Foods at a Glance
| Food | Contains collagen? | How it helps |
|---|---|---|
| Bone broth | Yes | Collagen and gelatin from bones |
| Gelatin | Yes | Cooked collagen |
| Chicken skin and feet | Yes | Connective tissue |
| Fish skin | Yes | Source of marine collagen |
| Oxtail and tendon | Yes | Gelatinous cuts |
| Citrus, kiwifruit, capsicum | No | Vitamin C for collagen formation |
| Oysters, pumpkin seeds | No | Zinc |
| Nuts and seeds | No | Copper |
| Eggs, legumes, dairy | No | Protein and amino acids |
A Simple Collagen-Friendly Day of Eating
- Breakfast: eggs on wholegrain toast with tomato, plus a glass of collagen drink
- Lunch: chicken and chickpea salad with red capsicum
- Snack: kiwifruit and a handful of pumpkin seeds
- Dinner: skin-on salmon with broccoli, or a slow-cooked oxtail stew
Food vs a Collagen Drink
Collagen foods are worth eating, but the amount of collagen in them varies and they're easy to skip on busy weeks. A collagen supplement gives you a measured amount every day. Many people do both: eat well, then add one glass for consistency. Curious whether collagen is right for you? Read is collagen good for you?
Why This Product: EverGlow Marine Collagen
On the days broth isn't on the stove, EverGlow keeps your routine consistent. Each 5.7g serve delivers 5,000mg hydrolysed marine collagen and 100mg vitamin C, plus zinc, copper, biotin and white tomato extract, with 0g sugar and a light white peach taste. Mix three scoops into 200mL of water once a day.
Why Choose Noni Nectar?
- Carefully selected wellness products: chosen for formulation quality, not trends
- Australian-based online store: based in South West Sydney, NSW
- Secure checkout: protected through Shopify's secure checkout
- Educational health content: honest guides, not hype
- Helpful customer support: real answers to real questions
Browse our full range of wellness products to build out your daily routine.
Frequently Asked Questions
What foods contain collagen?
Collagen is found in animal connective tissue, so foods that contain collagen include bone broth, chicken skin and cartilage, fish skin, pork skin, beef tendon, oxtail and gelatin.
What food is highest in collagen?
Gelatin, bone broth and connective-tissue-rich cuts such as oxtail, beef tendon and chicken feet are among the most collagen-rich foods. Amounts vary widely depending on preparation.
Do plant foods contain collagen?
No. Plants do not contain collagen. However, many plant foods provide vitamin C, zinc, copper and amino acids that your body uses in its own collagen formation.
What foods help the body make collagen?
Vitamin C foods such as citrus, kiwifruit, capsicum and berries, zinc foods such as oysters, meat and pumpkin seeds, copper foods such as nuts and seeds, and protein foods such as eggs, fish, legumes and dairy.
Does eating collagen go straight to your skin?
No. Collagen you eat is digested into amino acids and small peptides, which your body then uses wherever it needs them.
Is bone broth high in collagen?
Bone broth contains collagen and gelatin from bones and connective tissue, but the amount varies a lot between recipes and batches.
Can I get enough collagen from food alone?
A balanced diet with enough protein and vitamin C supports your body's own collagen formation. Some people add a collagen supplement for a consistent, measured daily amount.
Are there collagen foods for vegetarians?
Vegetarian foods do not contain collagen, but eggs, dairy, legumes, nuts, seeds and vitamin C-rich produce provide nutrients involved in collagen formation.
How does a collagen drink compare to collagen foods?
Collagen foods vary in how much collagen they contain. A collagen drink like EverGlow gives a measured 5,000mg of hydrolysed marine collagen per serve alongside vitamin C, making it easy to be consistent.
More reading: beauty collagen explained and our marine collagen FAQs.
Eat Well. Then Make It Consistent.
Keep the broth, add the glass. Try EverGlow Marine Collagen Powder →, 28 daily serves shipped Australia-wide.
5,000 mg marine collagen + vitamin C · Free AU shipping over $99
This product is a food supplement and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Always read the label and follow directions for use. If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, taking medication or have a fish allergy, consult your healthcare professional before use.
