Vegan Diet & Nutrition

Quorn is not vegan!

I too struggle to hit protein macros. What I have done is have a protein shake for breakfast which gives a decent hit. I also try and eat a lot of homemade seitan , it is ridiculously easy to make and is very high protein for the calories.

If you're going to be doing p90x check out Brendan Brazier's "Thrive Diet" and "Whole Foods to Thrive." He's an ultra marathoner and vegan. Also check out Rich Roll another ultra-endurance athlete and vegan. They've got great tips for everyone, but will also be good for you with your exercise level.

First off, you look like you're doing okay, except I would eat those extra calories you have left over at breakfast and skip the coffee. Coffee is bad for you. Try green tea if you want something hot. It would be much healthier.

I know most people will disagree, but you don't need a ton of protein. I know the cooked broccoli you have might belie the truth, but broccoli is about 50% protein (ie, 50% of calories come from protein). So what do you do with the long stems of your broccoli? Do you toss them? If so, stop wasting them and juice them. Try adding more greens to your juices. Spinach, kale, and even alfalfa are very high in protein (calorically speaking). I mean, where do gorillas get their protein??? Greens! So do elephants.

I'm not exactly sure how to track the macros in juice. The juice of one carrot is going to be different than the carrot itself. I mean, there's no fiber in the carrot. I imagine the fat and protein would be the same, so maybe it's the same throughout, minus the fiber. Of course, fiber doesn't digest anyway and even though it is counted toward total calories, it is basically neutral. I'm sure you've got some protein in that juice (and for the record, I don't think it's silly either--I just watched "Fat, Sick, and Nearly Dead" yesterday--anyone who thinks juicing is silly needs to see it!). In fact, I won't do more than a glass of fresh veggie juice now and then, because I do NOT want to detox while nursing!

I did P90X, a little over half way through. I did add a protein shake, but I think I could have done without it. If I were you, I'd look up vegan sources of protein, and if you have a juicer, juice some of the best ones and drink that after your workout. Or a glass of soymilk or whatever.

Also, be sure you are eating enough. If your performance suffers, you need to eat more. 'Nuff said.

Quorn has/is releasing some vegan products in some locations.

this is true, but in most regions it's definitely not.

in fact, even vegetarians should read labels of all fake meats, because there are a ton of 'vegetarian' products that use eggs.

i think that started because they were trying to get a certain texture and they could get away with it, because labeling for that sort of stuff is so lax. (though vegan labels are strict like kosher labels are).

but vegan (and vegetarian) food products have improved drastically in the past ten years and can now get great texture without, but many brands simply don't change their ingredients and keep egg in there (like many quorn products).

i'm a self-admitted fake meat addict. love the stuff. love trying new ones. get the wonkiest ones at asian supermarkets (as in 'they seriously make this???'... my wife just shakes her head. there are a ton of absolutely fantastic fake meats out there for the having, if you don't mind adding some processed food to your diet (in moderation). it also helps if you haven't had meat for awhile; while i've seen some fakes trick meat eaters, most won't.

that said, some of my favorite 'fake meats' are home made. my wife makes an amazing field roast (and ups the ante for thanksgiving, making something even the turkey eaters at the table have seconds of), and and amazing gluten based loaf. i think she got the gluten loaf recipe off of vegandad and did some alterations.

ok, this is making me hungry.