Can Vegetarians be Good Athletes?

Vegetarian lifestyle can lend itself well to being a great.  In fact, Pro Bowler Tony Gonzalez eats almost exclusively like a vegetarian. 

Here’s the deal – the biggest concern for most athletes if they decide to be a vegetarian is getting enough protein.

It simply takes smart planning, though, to make sure you’re taking in enough – beans, cottage cheese, yogurt, tofu, soy milk, nuts, and even grains all provide protein.  The key is to make sure you eat different sources regularly to get the benefits from all the different sources of protein.

It’s also important to focus on the vitamins and minerals you’re eating.

Eating a variety of foods is key:

-A mix of different sources of protein for B vitamins, iron, and other nutrients.

-A variety of fruits and vegetables for a ton of vitamins and minerals, including vitamins C and A, fiber, and other antioxidants too.

-Whole grains, for the fiber and slow digesting carbohydrates that will boost performance.

Remember, though, French fries, pizza, and soda all count as vegetarian foods.  Be smart about your intake and you can continue to perform at your best AND grow muscle. 

That takes extra calories, protein, and other nutrients; all of which you can get with a well planned vegetarian diet!