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ADDING VARIETY TO A VEGETARIAN BODYBUILDING DIET
The Life of a Vegetarian Bodybuilder Depends Greatly on Routines:
- Eating routines
- Workout routines
- Rest and recovery routines
However, routine can get boring unless we integrate some variety into the equation, and a vegetarian bodybuilding diet is something we can certainly spice up.
Those who are into bodybuilding and working on their physique who make the switch over to a vegetarian bodybuilding diet often struggle with the initial diet planning.
Getting used to something new, and pushing through the initial discomfort is simple human nature. Even if you understand and appreciate the health benefits of becoming a vegetarian bodybuilder, it’s never easy to change up your routine and modify your habits.
New research studies are released every nearly month, further proving that vegetarianism holds great promise for the future. A “JAMA Internal Medicine” study of more than 70,000 participants revealed that vegetarian diets are associated with reduced death rates.
“These results demonstrate an overall association of vegetarian dietary patterns with lower mortality compared with the non-vegetarian dietary pattern. They also demonstrate some associations with lower mortality of the pesco-vegetarian, vegan and lacto-ovo-vegetarian diets specifically compared with the non-vegetarian diet,” the researchers concluded.
Believe it or not, most vegetarian and vegan bodybuilders have more diversity in their diets than their meat-eating friends.
Yeah, I said it. Still many meat-eaters have a skewed view of the plant-based lifestyle. Vegetarian diets are often viewed as overly restrictive, unnecessarily expensive, and downright boring. However, a plant-based diet certainly doesn’t have to be simple, repetitive, or monotonous.
And contrary to popular belief, you don’t need to take out a second mortgage or move to a big city to live a vegetarian lifestyle. With a little research and planning, you can find inexpensive and nutritious vegetarian food in nearly any supermarket.
Let’s explore some of the ways you can avoid diet boredom as a vegetarian athlete.
Vegetarian Bodybuilding Diet Staples
Forget about those fake meat products with laundry lists of ingredients you can’t pronounce. Switching from real meat to fake meat may sound like the easiest way to transition to vegetarianism. But although these over-processed foods are convenient, they often contain chemical pesticides and artificial additives that your body can’t digest. As an athlete, every bite matters. To find ways to improve your body, you need to understand exactly what you’re putting in your body and how it’s affecting you.
As a vegetarian newbie, you may want to begin your meal planning with one of the following vegetarian diet staples. Just make sure that they’re 100% organic and GMO-free so you’re not consuming more than you bargained for.
Tofu: Made from pressed soybean curd, tofu is the most well-known vegetarian stable. Tofu is great at soaking up the flavors and giving texture to your favorite vegetables and sauces.
Tempeh: Although somewhat similar to tofu, tempeh if fermented and pressed to make it thicker and more savory. Lots of vegetarian recipes feature tempeh when frying or grilling with seasonings.
Seitan: A little chewy and naturally brown in color, seitan is made from wheat gluten, which is an isolated wheat protein. Get your daily dose of protein by baking or frying seitan instead of meat in your recipes.
Vegetarian Fun-Foods
- Green smoothies
- Any kind of scramble
- Homemade waffles
- Eggplant stir fry
- Falafel wraps
- Butternut squash soup
- Curry with lentils
- Spiced garbanzo beans
- Almonds and cashews
Experiment with These Spices
- Cilantro
- Chili powder
- Red pepper flakes
- Curry powder
- Cinnamon
- Garlic powder
- Cumin
- Thyme
- Turmeric
Vegetarian Cookbooks
Plenty of vegetarian bodybuilders have experienced boredom in their diet, and so have plenty of meat-eating bodybuilders. Any bodybuilding diet routine is repetitious by design. However, if you do your research you can easily spice it up.
Vegetarian Restaurant Resources
Dining out can be unnecessarily frustrating for vegetarians. Although more and more restaurants are now offering vegetarian options, many of these choices are little more than bland afterthoughts on the back page of the menu.
Especially in the beginning, you may want to simply avoid restaurants with limited vegetarian options so that you won’t be tempted by your old, unhealthy favorites.
Join a Vegetarian Group
If your family and friends haven’t yet made the switch to a plant-based diet, social events and holiday gatherings can feel awkward and lonesome. Many vegetarian bodybuilders find it easier to stay motivated about their diet when they have a support system to back them up. Check out online groups and browse local Meet Up groups to see what vegetarian clubs are available in your area.
Not only can support groups keep you motivated, but they’re also a great way to meet like-minded people. Perhaps you can enlist a new workout partner, get involved in animal rights activism, or make friends to have dinner plans with once in a while.
Take Away Message
It’s time to change the world’s perception that vegetarianism is boring salad-eating weaklings.
Start with the basics and have fun experimenting with new ingredients and spices.
Make a habit out of shopping for what’s in season at local farmer’s markets. Like many other diets, a vegetarian and vegan bodybuilding diet requires a little research and planning, but the health benefits undoubtedly outweigh the mild inconveniences.
If it helps, print out a copy of the Mayo Clinic’s Vegetarian Food Guide Pyramid to guide you through your first steps as a new vegetarian.
As plant-based diets become even more popular with bodybuilders and fitness enthusiasts around the world, you’ll likely find yourself surrounded by more like-minded athletes who care about their bodies as much as you do.
For more ideas on how to add variety to a vegetarian bodybuilding diet, watch the following videos –
SECRET HACKS TO MAKE VEGGIES TASTE GOOD | How to ACTUALLY LIKE Healthy Food!
Full Beginner Plant Based Meal Plan: Exactly What To Eat
How to Make Healthy Vegan Food Taste Good: My Simple Tricks
10 Ways to Flavor Soup (Without Salt!) + FREE PDF // Nutritarian // Eat to Live // Vegan
MUST-HAVE SPICES FOR VEGAN COOKING | an inside look at my spice cabinet
Author Bio:
Chris Willitts (creator of V3), is the founder and owner of Vegetarian Bodybuilding.
V3 Vegetarian Bodybuilding System is a mixture of science and author’s advice, providing users with optimal diet and exercise. This system is designed for vegans and vegetarians only.
A lot of research has been put in this program. Furthermore, a lot of professional bodybuilders and athletes tried and tested the program, praising its progressiveness and efficiency.
The program is about taking control of your own body and health according to your potential and needs. And worry not; you’ll get plenty of proteins with this system. It will boost you with energy, and you’ll feel just a strong as any carnivore would (perhaps even stronger, depending on how much you invest in your exercise). It avoids vitamins deficiency and provides you with a lot of proteins, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.
Instead of saying things like “I think a plant-based diet is good for athletes and bodybuilders,” the V3 Vegetarian Bodybuilding System claims “I know a plant-based diet is good for athletes and bodybuilders, and I have results to prove it.”
To find out more, visit the website at V3 Bodybuilding – How to Build Strength, Balance and Focus?
