I’ve Got a Major Crush on Herman Brot

My name is Beth Castell and I’m from Adelaide in South Australia and I have a mega crush on Herman Brot. It can’t be denied, and it’s very obvious if you look at my socials or peek in my pantry. I’m stoked and lucky enough to be a Herman Brot ambassador!

I’m a fitness competitor – bodybuilding is one of my passions. I’m also a lawyer, working full time, and have just enrolled to become a personal trainer.

I’m also a vegan, and fortunately, so are Herman Brot products, and being full of protein and low in carb, makes their products perfect for my lifestyle.

What’s the big deal for you about protein?
For me, it’s about the gains, baby! Building muscle is some seriously hard work. Trust me. But if you’re not fuelling yourself properly, it’s going to be even harder.

Protein helps repair and build muscle, and is a vital macronutrient. As a vegan, I obtain all of my protein from plants. I eat a lot of Herman Brot products, as well as tofu, tempeh, rice/pea protein powder, mock meats, legumes and more.

I like to hit at least 30 to 50 grams of protein per meal, about three to five times per day. This helps me to maximise my muscle growth.

What does the average day of eating look like for you at the moment?
For breakfast I have 40 grams of Herman Brot Protein Muesli and about a half scoop of vegan protein powder with almond milk and berries.

I train during my lunch break (at least on work days!) so before I train, at the moment, I’m having a toasted Hermanburger bun with, behold, jam on it! Herman Brot products are incredibly low in carbs, which is one of the reasons I love them, but before I workout, at the moment, I can afford some extra carbs (hence the jam), but also want to have about 20 grams of protein in the tank to train.

The fact that Herman Brot products are so low in carbohydrates means that I can either use my daily carb allocation for the little extras (like jam, or a biscuit with my afternoon cuppa!), as well as veggies (of course!), or, if I am deep into competition preparation, when I lower my carb intake significantly, I can still eat some of my fave foods like bread, pasta, burgers and cereal!

Anyway, moving on, for lunch at the moment I am feasting on Herman Brot Lower Carb Pasta along with chopped tomatoes, chickpeas or black beans and mixed veggies.

For dinner, I usually play around and make meals that fit my diet, but I will often use Herman Brot products again – I love a good veggie burger or broccoli and mushroom pasta. Otherwise, I might make a stir fry or curry with tofu or mock meats. Also, Herman Brot Lower Carb pasta also works wonders as a replacement for rice or egg noodles in Asian dishes.

I have protein powder before bed and enjoy a sweet treat in the afternoon.

I don’t joke when I say I literally live on Herman Brot products. They’ve made life so much easier and are perfect for me and my goals.

Tell us a bit about your past competitions and future goals?
So for the last couple of years I have been competing in bodybuilding competitions. I have competed with three different federations including ICN (ICompete Natural), ANB (Australian Natural Bodybuilding) and the IFBB Pro League.

I’ve placed several times, including second three times (ICN SA 2019 Sports Model 30+, ICN SA 2018 Bikini 30+ and ANB SA 2018 Bikini Open), third twice (ICN SA 2019 Bikini 30+ and IFBB Pro League SA 2018 Bikini Open), fourth once (ANB SA 2018 Bikini Beginner) and fifth once (ICN SA 2019 Bikini Open).

My last competition was in October 2019. Since then, I took a short break for non-urgent surgery and to travel, but from the start of 2020 I have been easing my body back into training with the help of my incredible coach Simone Collins, and have recently stepped up the weights and frequency, which I am loving.

My plan is to spend the next couple of years, give or take, focusing on building as much muscle as I possibly (and naturally!) can with the aim of moving to a division in bodybuilding where a more muscular physique is preferred.

I am currently eating 2,000 calories a day to fuel my training and muscle gains, with 170 grams of protein.

Where can people find out more about you or get in touch?
Catch me on insta @bethaniecastell or on Facebook at @bethcastellvegan