So, collagen…this sassy little protein became the nutrition industry's sweetheart overnight. Suddenly, the ingredient in your grandma's chicken soup and jiggly Jell-O is the secret to a… lifeline for your skin, hair, and joints?!

But what on earth is collagen, and why should you care? Monique Richard, RDN, an integrative and functional dietitian nutritionist, describes it as a "protein-based structure mostly found in bone, skin, and cartilage of animal products." It’s like the building blocks of your body – think Lego, but way less painful to step on.

Your body's an overachiever that naturally makes collagen, but the good news is you can also boost your levels by eating collagen-packed foods and certain other nutrients.

Richard advises a "consuming a variety of foods that themselves contain collagen, as well as the amino acids from protein-rich foods." Foods packed with vitamins and minerals, like vitamin C–rich strawberries and bell peppers, are also your collagen-boosting helpers.

Apart from supping on the good stuff, safeguard your collagen by living on the healthier side of life – slap on that sunscreen, quit lighting up, drink responsibly, and for goodness sake, get some sleep. Still thinking about collagen supplements? Richard encourages a return to basics: "If you can increase the amount of whole, fresh foods, including fruits, vegetables, and lean protein, you’ll build that collagen and support the collagen process from the inside out."

Okay, so you're ready to embark on your collagen journey but are looking at your fridge hoping it will give you the answers. Don't worry, we've got you covered; here is a list of fresh, real foods that will get your collagen production in overdrive and give those supplements a run for their money:

1. Jelly Gummies: Yes folks, eating jelly can boost your collagen levels!
2. Bone Broth: Full of collagen, easy to make, and an age-old remedy for everything.
3. Good old-fashions soups and stews: Next time, try chicken source using a whole chicken carcass. Or stew meat with bone for a collagen-packed meal.
4. Little fishes: Small fishes - sardines, smelt, mackerel - are all collagen-rich and add variety to your diet.
5. Skins-on Salmon and Chicken: The skin on these critters is packed with collagen!
6. Organ Meats: They're rich in collagen, but keep an eye on the saturated fat levels.

Remember, folks, healthy eating is not about a quick fix; it's a way of life. So let's incorporate these foods into our meals, enjoy the process, and let collagen do its work.