Photo Credit: Dana McCranie of Love, Louise Photography
Any fitness lifestyle has to be supported by the correct fuel.?? When I first started my real fitness journey (not counting all of the times I had started and quit), I was bombarded with diet plans and food recommendations that all had one common theme: protein, lots of protein; mostly chicken, fish and egg whites.? The problem was I was vegetarian and then became vegan shortly thereafter (a vegan does not consume meat, dairy or egg products).? I had spent a year trying to load myself up with cottage cheese, ready made protein shakes I did not like and cardboard tasting protein bars to fulfill the protein quota of the world I felt like I was living in but I failed miserably.? I was hungry.? I was bored.? I was tired.? And I wasn?t losing weight.?
The more active I became, the more serious I had to get about my food.? Instead of finding substitutions, I went for real food.? The truth is ALL vegetables and fruit have protein in it (did you know broccoli has more protein per one hundred calories than steak?? Yes, you?d have to eat a lot but still?.)and there are MORE than enough vegetarian/vegan options to fulfill your protein needs.? While vegetarian/veganism isn?t necessarily a ?convenient? choice, it has been a very smart decision in my development as an athlete (and I never used that word to describe myself before).? I can do things now that I never did even in my teenage years.? And my arms look pretty good.
Beyond tofu (which is what most people tend to think of when it comes to protein for non meat-eaters), there are beans and legumes, (full of fiber and low in calories), nuts, seeds and their butters (brimming with healthy fats), tempeh (a fermented soy product.? Fermentation is very good for your digestive system), seitan (a meaty high protein, wheat meat substitute), grains (quinoa, an ancient grain has actually all of the amino acids present therefore making it a ?complete? protein),? blue green algae such as spirulina and chlorella and, again, fruits and vegetables.? In addition, there are quite a few soy substitutes on the market in the form of burgers, sausages, yogurt, milk and cheese.?? For those who feel like they need a little extra boost, there are several reputable vegan protein powders on the market.
?Because the number of us eating more plant based has grown, our needs are being met a lot more in the fitness community.? We are no longer seen as the ?puny folks? in the gym.? (And it helps that Venus Williams just won at Wimbeldon on a raw vegan diet).? As with any change in eating, it requires knowing your body, being in tune with what works and being willing to do the work to accompany your lifestyle.? In our world, it?s all about preparation and dedication.? Using these two tools will serve you well, regardless of what diet you choose to practice.? In the end, it?s about a healthy choices and a healthy lifestyle.? That?s what people see when they see us.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Tasha Edwards is a holistic health coach, personal trainer, group fitness instructor, founder/CEO of F7 Wellness in Madison, Alabama and a proud mom, vegan, reader, music lover and dancer.?
Source: http://www.fitnessx.com/plant-power-getting-your-protein/
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