Vegetarian Athletes

We know that plant-based diets decrease the risk of cancer, diabetes, heart disease. So they will likely help us us live longer, and are good at controlling weight by reducing fat intake. But is the diet optimal even for athletes?

Increasingly, the pros are saying yes.

Due in large part to the aforementioned protein myth, it is commonly believed that athletes need to consume animal products in order to build muscle and perform optimally. But like so many other groups, the professional athletic community is now recognizing the benefits of a plant-based diet. Many prominent professional athletes in fact report that this diet gives them a competitive edge; vegetarian and vegan converts regularly report more energy and faster recovery time after changing their eating habits.

In November 2008, the Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition released a study showing that the acid level of a typical Western diet has the potential to increase the risk of several health problems, including osteoporosis, obesity, heart disease and overall well-being.

The acid-forming culprits are cheese, meats, processed grains. Eating a lot of these foods and little of the potassium and bicarbonate-rich, alkaline-forming foods like fruits and vegetables is associated with increased urinary calcium and magnesium loss and a greater risk of osteoporosis. Other negative consequences of an acidic diet include metabolic acidosis induced by exercise, compromised performance and increased recovery time during intermittent exercise.

Alkaline foods, however, are high in chlorophyll, which cleanses the blood by removing toxins. Daily consumption of chlorophyll rich foods is important for ensuring the body’s cell regeneration and increasing energy levels.

TVA is hosting two talks at the food fair this year by pro athletes who will be talking about their athletic success with a plant-based diet: Aaron Richards, a member of the Olympic National Martial Arts Team, and Brendan Brazier, an Ironman triathlete and author of several books about what he calls the "thrive diet." Brazier is also an endurance athlete, further defying old stereotypes that plant-based diets do not provide the necessary caloric load for this kind of athletic performance.