Is plant-based diet good for a gym-goer?

Question

Hello doctor,

I am a 34-year-old male and I have been a newbie to fitness. I have been on a fitness routine for six and a half months. There is a guy in my gym. He seems well-fit enough. Keeps up with his daily gym schedule. But what surprised me is that he does not take protein. Saying it might be derived from non-plant sources. And he is completely dependent on a vegan diet. I want to understand two things. First, how can just a plant-based diet fulfill the complete demands of a normal human body? And how far can one stretch it to accommodate the diet of a gym-goer? Please suggest.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I understand your concern.

Following a vegan diet is not an issue, but give your body time to adapt to it and gradually you can shift along with rate recovery post-workout. Yes, you need to add some supplements to cover initially then you can manage. There are tons of vegan supplements and plant-based proteins used by bodybuilders too. I feel that making a gradual shift to the Mediterranean diet helps. It mainly relies upon the greater intake of plant-based food products and limited consumption of meat products. It is composed of dietary practices that significantly lower the risk of health problems like diabetes, cancer, depression, heart attacks, and obesity. The diet includes the following:

1. Regular intake of fruits and vegetables.

2. Frequent consumption of whole grains and legumes.

3. Daily use of olive oil, nuts, and seeds as a source of fats.

4. A moderate intake of dairy products.

5. Occasional consumption of eggs, meat, fish, and wine.

6. Seldom intake of honey and added sugars.

Before following a strict Mediterranean diet plan, you need to avoid certain types of food such as

1. Butter and refined oils.

2. Refined grains like white bread and pasta, pizza, and food products made from white or refined flour.

3. Processed and packaged food products.

4. Red meat.

5. Desserts with high added sugars.

These are a few tips but you should take a personalized dietary consultation once.

I hope you find this information helpful.

Thank you.