health Archives

How to Eat More Protein

Are you a pasta fiend? I am. I eat pasta at least twice a week, and I’d probably eat it every day of the week if I could get away with it! In a nod towards healthy eating, I’ve been eating wholewheat pasta for nearly two decades because it’s slightly better for you than white pasta.

It turns out there is a healthier option to wholewheat pasta that (in my opinion) tastes and looks no different; provides you with a quarter of your recommended daily intake of protein, and is only 15p a bag more.

Behold wholewheat spelt pasta!

To Compare

200g of wholegrain fusilli pasta from Sainsbury’s contains 8.4g of protein (17% of an adult’s recommended intake) and costs 85p for a 500g bag.

200g of wholewheat spelt fusilli pasta, also from Sainsbury’s, contains 12.3g of protein (25% of an adult’s recommended intake of protein) and costs £1 for a 500g bag.

That’s 8% more protein for one simple food swap that has little discernible difference to wholewheat pasta.

Other Protein Sources

Of course, I’m not suggesting for a second that you eat pasta for every meal. For vegetarians and vegans, good sources of protein include quinoa, lentils, chickpeas, beans, nuts, spinach, artichoke, peas, tofu, and more. Aim for a good balance of foods and you’ll easily hit your protein quota. Which, for your information, is on average 55g a day for men, and 45g a day for women.

Do you have any tips on how to eat more protein?

how to eat more protein for vegetarians and vegans

Today’s let’s focus on plastic-free bathroom products and toiletries.

The bathroom is a great place to start because our quest to be clean shouldn’t dirty the planet (or something like that!).

I’ve put together some plastic-free bathroom products and toiletries ideas available for home delivery. The great news is that interest in eco-friendly products is growing every day. Therefore, your local shops may have a good selection. There are also a load of DIY beauty products you can make, such as this homemade facial oil.

The Plastic-Free Bathroom Products

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Washing

For bathing try these bath Salts* (£5) from Handmade Haven Soaps. They’re plastic-free and made in small batches. Alternatively, check out my full guide to plastic-free and zero-waste bubble bath.

When it comes to hair washing, then try this Hemp & Honey Solid Shampoo Bar* (£4.60) from Aromawakening. Plastic-free and free from SLES, SLS, parabens, petrochemicals, synthetic fragrance & preservatives. I also have a handy guide to plastic-free conditioner.

In terms of hands, I like Friendly Soap* from Ethical Superstore (£2.60) as a really great plastic-free bathroom product. The ingredients are biodegradable so there’s no waste. Poppy seeds and hemp take the place of microplastics to gently exfoliate the skin. None of the products or ingredients are tested on animals. Meanwhile, the soaps are Vegan certified and contain no palm oil. Check out my guide to sustainable soaps for more ideas.

Plastic-Free Dental Care

When going plastic-free in the bathroom, it’s worth considering dental care. I’ve heard great things about these bamboo toothbrushes* (£3.25) from &Keep. Particularly because you can buy different colours allowing you to easily tell which toothbrush belongs to which family member. They also sell kids bamboo toothbrushes (£3.75).

So far I’ve sadly found that bamboo toothbrushes are not my bag. If they’re not yours then the Preserve Toothbrush* (£3.49) from Ethical Superstore is your next best option. Made from recycled yoghurt pots and fully recyclable, it’s got some mighty fine green credentials.

For toothbrushing, try this Natural Peppermint Toothpaste* from Georganics (£6.80). Lush used to sell tooth cleaning tabs in a cardboard box. However, they’ve now altered the packaging to a plastic bottle for some reason. I didn’t get on with the tabs – you can read more about the sorry tale here – but this natural toothpaste in a glass jar is a better alternative.

Don’t forget to floss! The good news is that Georganics Dental Floss (£4.90) comes in a glass jar, rather than plastic. The floss is also 100% vegan as rather than being coated with beeswax, the floss is coated in vegetable was and essential oils. Compost it too – pop it in your food waste bin for collection when you’re done.

Plastic-Free Bums

When it comes to the bathroom, you can’t not mention plastic-free toilet paper. However, this is a complex picture. Rather than go into it here in great detail, instead do check out my guide to the best plastic-free toilet paper for a comprehensive look at what the best options are out there. I’ve also got an updated eco-friendly toilet paper guide, that comes complete with a spreadsheet if you like that sort of thing.

Primping and Preening

When it comes to your hair, I have my eyes on this Wooden Vegan Hairbrush* (£8.95) from &Keep. Most brushes I’ve found have boar bristles but this lovely vegan one has wooden bristles.

And for hair removal, this Shaving Soap* (£2.95) from Ethical Superstore is a great choice for going plastic-free in the bathroom. Suitable for vegans and vegetarians, this coffee and cedarwood shaving soap is free from palm oil, parabens, SLS/SLES, phthalates, triclosan. What’s more, it’s also certified cruelty free with no animal testing. Handmade in the UK, it’s also packaged in plastic-free recyclable cardboard packaging. I’ve got a whole guide to eco-friendly shaving, so do check it out.

For makeup, try these natural linen and unbleached Make-Up Remover Pads* (£6), again from Handmade Haven Soaps, or make your own!

Have you found any other great plastic-free bathroom products and toiletries? Do pop them in the comments below!

And enjoyed this post? Check out my guides to eco-friendly period products, plastic-free conditioner, plastic-free makeup, and even plastic-free makeup remover.