Is Vegan Bodybuilding Possible?
The health and fitness world is rife with advice on how many chicken breasts, steaks, and supplements we need to pursue bodybuilding, but we if we wanted to do something different? What if you are a vegan? Traditional bodybuilding with all the carnivorous delectables, has been well documented so coming across seemingly a million different recipes and theories isn’t too hard. Vegan bodybuilding, however, adds a whole other dimension to the question of how to get bigger muscles, and get lean simultaneously.
There are a plethora of pitfalls any bodybuilder can fall victim too, but vegan bodybuilding certainly posses it’s own set of challenges. To begin with, since the food options are considerably smaller, getting sufficient calories is often times a concern. Consuming adequate amounts of fresh fruits and vegetables will help with the caloric challenge, as well as provide plenty of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, as well. Another trick is to be sure you don’t forgo legumes, such as chickpeas. They are a great source of carbohydrates, and contain very little fat.
When vegan bodybuilding, adequate protein intake is often a cause for concern. One little trick is to substitute quinoa for brown rice. Brown rice is a great source of complex carbohydrates, but quinoa, has substantially more protein along with the same amount of complex carbs found in brown rice. Soy protein powders are another source of solid protein. If you consume animal byproducts, egg white protein is superior, but for those who don’t, soy protein powder supplementing is of vital importance. Nuts are another source of protein, as well as good fats. They are also dense calorically, so a handful or 2 of nuts per day will pack in quite a few extra calories, thus helping you put on size. Peanut butter, the natural, and unprocessed kind, is fantastic for vegan bodybuilding because like nuts themselves, it is very dense in fats and proteins. It also can be added to smoothies, eaten with a banana, and so on, so the ease of access and application is greater than just a handful of nuts.
Without consuming meat, we run the risk of having fewer red blood cells, as we can suffer from a lack of iron, which is found in red meat, and is one of the best sources of it. Supplementing with iron is a great idea as it will help you fatigue less during your workouts, as well as recover better post workout.
Whether it’s traditional bodybuilding, or vegan bodybuilding that you are pursuing, the same science applies. Good sources of carbs are needed for fuel, and good, lean sources of protein are needed to build muscle tissue. Fats of the good variety help with energy stores, and cholesterol issues, which plague many bodybuilders. Whichever road you take, be sure to get your nutrition from the best possible sources, eat a varied and balanced diet, and consume enough water. Remember, it’s not about just how many calories you consume, it’s the source of those calories that is more important in the long run.
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Andy
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