Pulse Pesto Pasta

Vegetarian but make it high protein (and gluten free).

It’s widely known that protein is an important macronutrient, but it is so much more than just for those gym gains.

Protein and its amino acids are necessary for the production of our neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine, which support our mood and sleep (and much more). We also need protein for liver detoxification, to support blood sugar balance, energy, satiety and of course muscle building and repair.

For those who don’t eat meat products, it can be a little more difficult to meet protein requirements, if you’re not consciously including it with each meal.

In this pesto pasta meal, I have used San Remo pulse pasta. It contains 21.3g of protein per 100g serve. With added pine nuts, and parmesan (if you tolerate dairy) - this increases the meals protein content also.

As a general easy-to-calculate rule, to meet your base requirements you will need roughly 1g of protein per kg of body weight. For example - if you weigh 65kgs, your base requirement is 65g of protein per day. If you are active, an athlete or body builder, pregnant or breastfeeding - your personal needs will likely be higher than this.

Do you think you eat enough protein?