Louisa is the Senior Health Editor at The Beet. She’s a BANT Registered Nutritionist in the UK and writes for several leading online publications, including Medical News Today and Plant Based News. Louisa has been plant-based most of her life and has bought up her family this way. She’s a firm believer that diet and lifestyle predict our health outcomes and wellbeing and enjoys educating people about the benefits of eating plant-based food. Louisa loves to cook healthy recipes, grow plants, and be outdoors but also enjoys the occasional vegan cupcake and glass of wine because moderation is key!
Louisa Richards
Add Duckweed to Your Smoothies for Complete Plant-Based Protein
If you're looking for ways to hack your morning shake there's a new (or very old, depending on how you look at it) superfood that can boost your protein intake and add powerful nutrients to your diet, including the elusive B12 and iron. Whe...
Is Coconut Oil Really Good for You? Here’s What the Research Says
Coconut oil has become the health-food makers' darling, to the point that companies are adding it to every 'health' food on the market, including snack bars, dairy-free yogurts, coffee creamers, and vegan cheese. They also use it interchangeably with MCT oil and while MCT is made from coconut oil, it's not exactly the same thing. With all of the purported he...
10 Foods That Sound Healthy But Are Better to Avoid
It's a common misconception that any food labeled "vegan" is automatically healthy. If you're going plant-based for your health or to help manage your weight and lower your risk of developing diseases, unless you're shopping at the farmer's market or in your produce section, finding products that are actually healthy can be a minefield...
Should You Avoid Oxalates, Lectins and Tannins? An Expert Answers
If you're trying to eat more plant-based foods for your health, you may have heard about the importance of avoiding compounds such as lectins, phytates, tannins, and oxalates – which can inhibit the absorption of essential minerals. Someone eating a pl...
Eat These Foods to Boost Your Mental Health
What we put in our mouths directly impacts our mood, according to a new study, and understanding the connection between diet and mental health can help us make better food choices and experience less daily stress. The gut and the brain are constantly communicating with each other, via what's called "the gut-brain axis," and nutritional compounds can have a dramatic influence on our stres
What to Eat to Prevent, Treat and Reduce Symptoms of UTIs
Urinary Tract Infections –– known as UTIs for short –– can be more than just annoying or painful, which is why you need to treat them quickly and seriously.
Because UTIs, like any runaway bacterial infection, can also lead to sepsis, a dangerous condition where the bacteria enters the bloodstream and travels to other parts of the body, it's important to recognize the symptoms and seek medical atte
How Much Iron Do You Need Each Day? Study Links Deficiency To Heart Disease
Getting enough iron isn't just a matter of boosting your energy reserves, it could actually save your life. According to a new study, 10 percent of new heart disease cases that show up in later middle age (as opposed to old age) could be prevented simply by correcting an iron deficiency. How much...
Your Intro Guide to a Plant-Based Diet: Flexitarian, Vegan, Vegetarian and More
Plant-based diets are not just a passing fad, they're here to stay. The reason: If everyone started eating less meat it would dramatically slow down our planet's climate change, help alleviate chronic health issues such as heart disease and diabetes, and change the way farming is practiced. More people are eating ...
I Tried the McPlant. Here’s How It Went
I have never eaten at McDonald's. This may sound strange, but having been plant-based my entire life, there was no reason to eat a McDonald's meal – until now. So I was delighted to try the new McPlant, the all-vegan burger made of Beyond meat, now available at McDonald's across the UK and coming soon to America. Here's how it went....
Obsessed With Healthy Eating? Read This
When does healthy eating cross the line into behavior that is unhealthy? While eating a predominantly plant-based diet is considered healthy and promotes physical and mental wellbeing and longevity, some people develop such an extreme focus on clean eating, it can cause distress, affect their health, social life, and relationships. Bei...