Why Needed Collagen is the Best Clean Collagen for Pregnancy

Collagen is a super popular supplement, and for good reason. But not all brands are equal. If you want a clean collagen protein for pregnancy and beyond, it’s gotta be Needed Collagen Protein. Here’s why I love it.

My Review of Needed Collagen

If you follow me on Instagram, you probably know I love Needed Collagen. I put that stuff in everything–ha! I actually do use it just about daily. I’ve been taking Needed Prenatal Collagen Protein Powder for years because it’s the best I’ve found anywhere. Not only is it truly “clean,” (we’ll discuss what that actually means), it’s so easy to mix into anything, making it easy to add to my routine. 

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code: MERRITT gets you 20% off your first purchase (including already discounted subscriptions and plans).

What Does Needed Collagen Taste Like?

If you’re on this page, I assume you know the value of clean supplements, so let’s start with the practical points of this review. Does Needed Collagen taste good? Short answer: yes!

It doesn’t have any added fillers, thickeners, flavors, or gums–it’s literally just collagen on the ingredients list. This means it’s almost tasteless, but I’d say there’s a faint milk-y taste to it. 

I definitely prefer to mix it into drinks, food, and baked goods instead of just plain water, but you can in a pinch. The mild taste is what makes it so versatile: it can blend into anything and not change the taste very much. Extra collagen you don’t even know you’re taking? Yes, please.

This light taste and smell are a huge selling point here. I’ve recently tried two different protein powders from brands I trust that are also Clean Label Certified. Unfortunately, BOTH of those proteins had gums and a vanilla monk fruit flavor that was so sickly sweet that I couldn’t stand the smell or taste. The smell lingered so long that I had to wash blender pieces multiple times and considered throwing away a lid. That’s a huge “no” for pregnancy nausea! So to me, the very minimal smell and taste of Needed Collagen is a huge selling point. 

How I Take My Prenatal Collagen Protein 

One of my philosophies is that the “best” product in the world is not worth much if you won’t actually use it. For sunscreen, this means it needs to feel good and blend well (see this article with my favorites!). For collagen protein, this means it needs to mix well and you need to actually want to eat it! Needed Prenatal Collagen Protein Powder is unflavored, meaning you can dissolve it into just about whatever you want. I’ve been sharing recipes on my IG lately, some of which include:

• Collagen Protein Oats for Breakfast
• Chocolate Collagen Workout Shake
• Pink Raspberry Shake for Lunch

I’ve also added Needed Collagen to healthier Rice Krispie bars, and some truly decadent Valentine’s Day brownies. Baking with collagen gives a little extra chewiness and a protein boost. Say less. 

Extra Protein is Needed During Pregnancy 

When pregnant, the demands of a growing baby and the changes in the woman’s body to support this require 80 to 100 grams of protein daily. That’s a lot of protein! Getting that amount of protein in a day can be difficult. Instead of reaching for quick options like processed meats or protein bars to bridge the gap, instead look for a high-quality collagen supplement. Collagen provides unique amino acids that are needed in higher amounts during pregnancy. Bonus: it’s known for supporting healthy hair and glowing skin! 

Is Needed Collagen Clean?

The term “clean” is neither standard nor regulated, so brands can use it freely. I consider a supplement to be clean when it meets these criteria:

1. Supplement is third-party certified for accuracy and purity. 
2. Supplement has no extraneous ingredients
3. Supplement is responsible to the environment in a way that’s relevant to the product. 

Let me explain.

Needed is Clean Label Certified

It’s important to be cautious with supplements, whether pregnant or not, because supplements are not FDA-regulated. This means that ingredient labels are often inaccurate, and products may contain higher levels of heavy metals and other contaminants. Protein powders in particular are notorious for their high lead content. You don’t have to worry about this with Needed, which is a huge reason I recommend them. Needed uses third-party testing on every batch of their collagen protein. They earned a Clean Label Project Purity Award and are certified pesticide free. Clean Label Project is a great, free resource where you can check the accuracy and purity of certain product labels! Check them out. 

Needed Collagen: No Junk Added

Needed Prenatal Collagen Protein is just that — there are no added ingredients! Many other proteins on the market come with added flavors, fillers, thickeners, etc. These aren’t necessary–Needed Collagen mixes into water just fine without anything added. And, I’d argue, less is more since it allows me to use the collagen in a variety of food and drink recipes, making it easier to add into my lifestyle.

Is Needed Collagen Sustainable?

Needed Prenatal Collagen Protein Powder is grass-fed and sustainably sourced. The collagen is ethically sourced from the hides of grass-fed, pasture-raised, hormone-free bovines. As a brand, Needed shows a commitment to sustainable production and sourcing. Conclusion: this is some seriously clean collagen! 

Whether you’re TTC, pregnant, postpartum, or just looking for supportive supplements, I hope you found this collagen protein post helpful. Don’t forget to use my unique link and code: MERRITT gets you 20% off your first purchase (including already discounted subscriptions and plans).

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