Two weeks on from #EarthDay (22nd April), we are continuing to think about how eating well impacts not just animals and the planet, but also our own health. We can use this extra time at home to re-evaluate our eating habits and think about how the food choices we make can really make a difference.

During such uncertain times, many of us are experimenting with our cooking, trying new ingredients and recipes, so it’s the perfect time to incorporate more plant-based foods into our diet - and maybe even find a new favourite dish!

• We recently launched our #PlantBasedChallenge, but did you know that there are a huge number of health benefits to reducing animal products and eating more plants too? Here are just a few:
• Vegetables are the foundation of a healthy diet because they are low in calories, but rich in fibre, vitamins and antioxidants. Green leafy vegetables are particularly important as they include essential minerals such as iron and calcium.
• Pulses such as lentils, chickpeas, beans and peas provide a healthy source of protein, and can be incorporated to a wide variety of plant-based dishes. The average amount of protein to aim for per day is 46 grams for women and 56 grams for men.
• Seasonal fruits and vegetables provide all the important vitamins and micronutrients that strengthen our immune system. For example, vitamin C is a fantastic antioxidant that works to repair body tissues. Vegetables such as broccoli, kale and bell peppers, and juicy fruits such as oranges, strawberries and tomatoes are all packed with vitamin C!

With the bank holiday weekend ahead, why not see what new plant-based dishes you can conjure up, and don’t forget to use our #PlantBasedChallenge for inspiration.

Tag us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter @FourPawsUK and let us know your favourite plant-based dishes. .