Many athletes wonder if vegetarianism will harm their progress in sports. This article will give the most complete answer to it. Since athletes have to expose their bodies to strong loads, the question of the compatibility of intensive training and vegetarianism becomes very relevant. If we turn to the history of sports, it turns out that it is very possible. Many famous athletes have followed a vegetarian diet.
Types of vegetarianism
It must be said right away that vegetarianism can be different. In total, it is customary to distinguish three main areas:
1. Clean vegetarianism (vegans)
Representatives of this trend have refused to use any products of animal origin, including eggs and milk. But this approach to nutrition can cause the body to lack essential amino acid compounds. Most of the representatives of this trend live in areas where meat is a rather caustic product, but legumes are found in abundance. After all, it is the protein compounds of this family of plants that are the most valuable of the plant. So in India, peas and beans are very popular, and in the Far East - lentils and soybeans. When consumed in large quantities of legumes, the body will be provided with proteins, however, problems with the gastrointestinal tract can occur. 2. Mixed vegetarianism.
This direction is the most popular in the world, whose representatives eat dairy products. According to scientists, this is the most optimal type of vegetarianism. Some diets also allow eggs and fish to be consumed.
3. Moderate vegetarianism
It is this direction that is most suitable for athletes. Vegetable fats are not dangerous for the body, but dairy fats should be limited.
Bodybuilding and vegetarianism
The unwritten rule of modern bodybuilding has become the consumption of large amounts of meat. However, not only this product is a source of protein compounds. Vegetable proteins are just as good, and fats are safe. Could this mean that athletes can safely do without meat dishes? Now this is to be found out.
In the past few years, giving up meat is no longer something special and funny. Even at the beginning of this and the end of the last century, most vegetarians refused to eat meat because of their banal pity for animals. Now scientists have found that this is also an advantage. Now the world animal husbandry has become hostage to the difficult ecological situation on the planet. Various toxic substances are absorbed in the meat, as well as all kinds of growth accelerators that are fed to animals. According to scientists, the invasion of cancer is directly related to the large amount of toxic substances that collect in meat. Once in the human body, they cause multiple mutations.
Futurologists (scientists who study the future, more precisely, make predictions) believe that the time is already approaching when people will completely stop consuming meat dishes. And it's not just about ecology. It's just that the planet will soon fail this habit. To produce one kilogram of meat, 32 kilograms of plant materials are required.
Bodybuilders and meat
Currently in the United States, a fairly large number of people follow a vegetarian diet. However, there are very few bodybuilders among them, and there are practically no champions at all. It turns out that bodybuilding is inconceivable without meat? The answer, it turns out, lies on the surface. It's just that many athletes do not want to experiment and continue to "eat meat". But you can remember the star athletes who gave up meat. First of all, this is Andreas Kaling. But the news of Bill Pearl's vegetarianism may surprise many.
It is Pearl's example that proves that bodybuilders can achieve great results with a vegetarian diet. But do not rush to conclusions and switch to plant foods in the near future. In this matter, not everything is so simple. The athlete needs to consume at least 2 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight during the day. But plant foods, with the exception of legumes, contain very few of these substances. Special protein supplements can help here. Also, with their help, you can provide the body with other useful substances. After all, meat contains not only protein compounds.
It is a source of high amounts of vitamins, essential fatty acids, minerals, etc. Vitamin and mineral supplements come to the rescue again. But frankly speaking, it is now impossible to find an athlete who wants to achieve their goals in sports, who does not use creatine. It has long been established that the body receives this substance from fish and meat. In plant foods, it simply does not exist.
Also, the big question in vegetarianism is the consumption of large amounts of fiber. However, it is very beneficial for the intestines. Due to its porous structure, fiber is able to absorb all toxins. This is precisely the reason for the minimum number of intestinal diseases among fans of vegetarianism. However, along with toxins, fiber "absorbs" useful amino acid compounds.
Is vegetarianism harmful to the body?
There is a lot of research on this topic now. The largest of them was held in Australia. About 1320 people took part in the experiment, divided into groups:
- Vegetarians;
- Moderate consumption of meat and vegetable diet;
- Plant-based diet with little meat;
- Meat diet.
Scientists analyzed a large number of indicators, and came to the following conclusions:
- A direct link between a vegetarian diet and a variety of diseases has been found.
- Vegetarians are more likely to need the help of health professionals.
As a result, it is necessary to completely revise the dietary characteristics of vegetarianism. However, the authors of the study themselves admitted the fact that they did not take into account in their study those people who did not give up fish. Despite the large number of articles and works on the topic of vegetarianism, the question is still open. However, for athletes, they can make up for nutritional deficiencies with special nutritional supplements.
Learn more about vegetarianism in bodybuilding from this video:
