“Nafsika, I’d love to go vegan but I’m an active, athletic woman. What do I do?” I hear this a lot and thankfully being vegan and an athlete can actually co-exist. I know long distance runners who are vegans who swear by their meat and dairy free diets (one of them is currently on a journey running from Seattle to San Diego in 45 days for charity!)
Here are a few tips:
First, make sure that your body is getting enough protein. Hemp and chia seeds are important as are tofu, beans, grains and virtually anything made of soy. Second, your body will require sources of fat such as avocado, olive and flax seeds oils and nuts. In addition, B12 is essential to athletes and many cereals and soy milk as well as soy-based meat substitutes are fortified with vitamin B12. If not, then a B12 supplement will work. And lastly, stay hydrated with water and drink enough juices such as grape, pomegranate or cherry (no added sugar though) to replenish burned calories throughout the day.
Being vegan can also mean being strong, healthy and humane.
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