We are pleased to announce that on March 4, 2025, an updated Rich Text Editor will be introduced in the MyFitnessPal Community. To learn more about the upcoming changes, please click here. We look forward to sharing this new feature with you!

Anyone have Plant Based Triathlete Nutrition Advice?

TinaBambinamfp
TinaBambinamfp Posts: 24 Member
edited November 2024 in Food and Nutrition
I began eating a plant based diet as of last year and lost 30 lbs. I am looking to train for my first long distance triathlon and I'm worried about how to balance my protein and carb intake. I would still like to trim down another 40lbs - 50lbs. Any advice?

Replies

  • AmandaDanceMore
    AmandaDanceMore Posts: 298 Member
    I don't have much, but I know there is a book called something like The Vegan Athlete. It may be a really good resource. I know my best friend read it and took a lot of advice from it when she was running marathons.

    Plenty of high performance athletes are plant based/meat free/vegan. You could probably turn to various forms of social media to find some inspiration and advice. If you're on Instagram, search the hashtag #poweredbyplants for a start.
  • shaun823
    shaun823 Posts: 28 Member
    While I'm not a vegan or a vegetarian now, I can tell you that I was a vegetarian from 2011-2012 and that was the absolute healthiest and best I have ever felt. All it took was a little bacon, which eventually lead to some chicken wings that got me off track, lol! That and a lack of self control. ;) I try to stick to more of a Mediterranean diet these days. I love seafood. :) I don't really have any resources to share but I'd be sure to get your plant based protein in for sure so you're not burning away too much muscle. A good shake you could implement that has a good balance of plant based protein and carbs is Raw Meal. https://www.vitaminshoppe.com/p/garden-of-life-raw-meal-original-2-6-lb-powder/gu-7019

    Good luck!

    Shaun
  • janejellyroll
    janejellyroll Posts: 25,763 Member
    I trained for and completed my first marathon last year without eating any animal products.

    What specific worries do you have about balancing the protein and carbohydrates? I found that I did well really increasing my carbohydrate intake on the days before long runs. I had a protein shake most days after long runs just to make sure that I was getting enough. I ate a lot of tofu, tempeh, and seitan just because they were very easy ways to get the protein in. "Vegan for Life" by Jack Norris and Virginia Messina is a great book on vegan nutrition (which can easily be used by plant-based people as well) that has a specific chapter on nutrition for vegan athletes.



  • debtay123
    debtay123 Posts: 1,327 Member
    there i some information on youtube if you check out the videos.
  • sarabushby
    sarabushby Posts: 784 Member
    Not sure on your location but I'll bet these guys have a tonne of good advice: http://www.veganrunners.org.uk
  • kshengst
    kshengst Posts: 10 Member
    The "No Meat Athlete" written by Matt Frazier was great for me.
  • lemurcat12
    lemurcat12 Posts: 30,886 Member
    Matt Frazier has a podcast too. I listen to it even though I am not plant based. Rich Roll's podcast is also good often, although he likes way more woo-ish stuff than I do. I've got to respect him, though.
  • TinaBambinamfp
    TinaBambinamfp Posts: 24 Member
    Thanks for the tips everyone! I am definitely going to check out the links and books you have suggested.-Cheers
  • KeepRunningFatboy
    KeepRunningFatboy Posts: 3,055 Member
    I also find Scott Jurek inspiring, he's a vegan ultrarunner.
  • TinaBambinamfp
    TinaBambinamfp Posts: 24 Member
    I also find Scott Jurek inspiring, he's a vegan ultrarunner.

    I will definitely check this out!

  • deannalfisher
    deannalfisher Posts: 5,600 Member
    Rich Roll is another good source - http://www.richroll.com/
  • jlemoore
    jlemoore Posts: 702 Member
    there's the plant-based cyclist, he's got a FB page.
  • lemurcat12
    lemurcat12 Posts: 30,886 Member
    I also find Scott Jurek inspiring, he's a vegan ultrarunner.

    I will definitely check this out!

    I read and enjoyed his book: http://www.scottjurek.com/eat-run/
  • TinaBambinamfp
    TinaBambinamfp Posts: 24 Member
    lemurcat12 wrote: »
    I also find Scott Jurek inspiring, he's a vegan ultrarunner.

    I will definitely check this out!

    I read and enjoyed his book: http://www.scottjurek.com/eat-run/

    Thank you. Sorry for such a late reply. I am still getting used to MFP. I'm trying to absorb all of the info I can get so this is very helpful :)
  • k_dwyer85
    k_dwyer85 Posts: 1 Member
    edited February 2017
    I look at an awesome website, The Iron You. Lots of vego recipes from a triathlete. Delicious Food!
This discussion has been closed.