At Kelly’s Choice, our dietitians will always promote real foods. But when there are gaps in your diet, supplements can make a huge difference. Be careful though, because all supplements are not created equal.

Did you know that supplements do not have to be regulated by the FDA? This is why I love the products from Naked Nutrition. Their supplements are third-party tested and produced in a facility designed as having good manufacturing practices (GMP). And there are no artificial sweeteners, colors, or preservatives in their supplements.

Two products that particularly grab my eye are the whey protein collagen protein.

Whey is one of the primary proteins found in milk and is a complete protein, meaning it contains all nine essential amino acids needed to build proteins in the body. Many people are eager to consume whey protein as research has shown it helps increase muscle mass and supports cardiovascular health.

Naked Whey Protein contains branched chain amino acids, or BCAAs, which are responsible for increasing muscle mass. BCAAs increase oxygen circulation, initiate protein synthesis, and reduce muscle soreness, all which contribute to muscle growth. It supports cardiovascular health because it contains omega-3 fatty acids, which are more plentiful in the grass-fed cows this product is derived from.

Several studies have also shown that whey protein consumption aids weight loss, decreases blood pressure, and may be beneficial for cancer patients.

There are several forms of whey protein supplements: whey protein concentrate, whey protein isolate, and whey protein hydrolysate. Naked Whey Protein is a concentrate that contains very little fat and carbohydrate, with the first and only ingredient being whey protein — 25 grams to be exact. This is the ideal protein serving size dietitians advise clients to consume in one sitting.

This is also extremely beneficial for people with food allergies. Naked Whey Protein is free of the top eight allergens except milk; however, if you are sensitive to dairy, Naked Whey may be fine for you as this non-denatured whey is much more easily digestible than whey found in dairy milk.

Collagen protein has been shown to promote joint health, improve skin appearance, boost hair and nail strength, and provide structure to our connective tissues. With all these functions, you can understand why collagen is the most abundant protein in the body.

As we age, the amount of collagen we have depletes, which is where supplementation can play a major role. Naked Collagen is a zero-calorie supplement with only one ingredient – bovine hide collagen peptides.

You may sound skeptical of this; I mean what are bovine hide collagen peptides? They are collagen proteins extracted from cows.

The reason this collagen is so beneficial for humans is because it is rich in glycine and proline, amino acids responsible for building DNA and RNA strands and collagen, respectively.

You may be wondering into what foods you should add these two products. Oatmeal, smoothies, coffee, baked goods, or simply water are fantastic ways to increase the nutritional content of your diet by adding Naked Whey or Naked Collagen. Both products come flavorless, with Naked Whey Protein also available in chocolate, vanilla, or strawberry.  

As a registered dietitian I am thrilled to find supplements like these that can be easily added into a whole foods diet.