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Veganism is the dietary practice of abstaining from the consumption of animal meat. It also subscribes to the philosophy that animals are conscious creatures, not mere commodities for human utilization. There are branches of dietary veganism: some allow the consumption of eggs, dairy products, and other animal-sourced food while others strictly refrain from consuming all animals and their by-products. Vegetarians do not consume animal meat or fish, either. The difference between vegans and vegetarians is that the latter are not restricted from consuming milk, eggs, and other animal products. Veganism is a generally accepted sub-school of vegetarianism.
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Though seemingly novel, veganism is not as difficult as one might think. Because many religious cultures already forbid the consumption of animal meat– for example, Hindi meals cannot contain beef and Muslim cuisine does not contain pork– it is fairly easy for vegans to live off recipes that have existed for years. The concern most nutritionists raise is that the lack of meat in one’s diet causes an imbalance. Fruits and vegetables are excellent sources of vitamins, but a meatless diet leads to protein deficiency. While a vegan diet fulfills the vitamin needs of an average working person, it has been questioned as adequate sustenance for an athlete or active person.
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Distance runner Scott Jurek recently published a book about winning marathons on a vegan diet. When examined by experts, there was little evidence to prove that a vegan diet deprived sports players of necessary protein. At its worst, a meatless diet decreases an athlete’s creatine intake, the nutrient that helps during short bouts of intense exercises like sprinting. The common recommendation is that athletes on a vegan diet should simply take protein supplements to ensure they are meeting the daily requirement.
Athletes require specialized diets that support their activity level. NFL diet expert Robert Pastore gives tips about athletic diet requirements. Follow this Twitter account to read more.
