A Plant-Based Approach
There are many traditions and culture surrounding the foods that we eat every day. Most people who make a change in their diet is usually do to a major events in their life that warranted a change. Our athletes are always looking for change. Change that helps them perform better than their competition.
More and more athletes have found a plant-based approach to improving their athletic performance.
Many reports, evidence based studies, and documentaries are showing a path to improving health and how it is connected to increased strength and cardiovascular performance.
A plant-based approach to sports nutrition has gained more attention since the release of films like What the health?, Vegan 2019, Forks over Knives, Vegucation, and The Game Changers. Most of these films are related to overall health. The Game Changers deals specifically with a plant-based diet with elite athletes.
The studies from some of these films show how our traditional American diet is keeping us from living and performing at our best. The standard American diet comes with the standard American diseases like type two diabetes, high blood pressure, arteriosclerosis, and myocardial infarction just to name a few. Just one of the many important topics we will focus in on from these films is cardiovascular health and how it pertains to athletic performance.
Our blood is how we get nutrients and oxygen to the organs. We want that system to be working at its best. Foods high in animal protein and fat will clog arteries and decrease arterial size and endothelial function. This will limit the organs access to valuable nutrients and oxygen. While animal free foods, high in fiber and antioxidants, will increase arterial size, endothelial function, and blood flow.
Along with the improvement of endurance a strength with better blood flow, the athlete will rebound faster from a challenging work out or injury.
Natural foods like vegetables, fruits, grains, and legumes have all of the nutrient content that we need to sustain exercise and thrive. Many will argue that these foods do not have enough protein we need to endure strenuous exercise and grow big and strong. We have many examples on this planet of animals who get all the proteins and nutrients they need. Animals such as cows, ox, gorillas, giraffe, and elephants are great examples of large animals that eat only plants. If that is not enough to convince you. Check out Plantbuilt Vegan Muscle at plantbuilt.com. This is a group of vegan athletes trying to raise awareness and dispel myths surrounding the vegan diet.
Students who have made a switch to a plant-based diet reported more mental clarity which in turn raised their grades. They also experience faster recovery times from practice to practice, feelings of being lifted out of a mental fog, and more overall energy!
Take a look at the diet related changes we have had in the last couple of years.
· We have seen in increase in the options of milk, cheese, and meat substitutes.
· Grocery stores have included more varieties of organic foods.
· More natural and whole-food grocery stores have been built with the aisles lined with healthier alternatives from our traditional grocery stores.
· Locally, restaurants like Meta Burger, Native Foods, Leaf, and Watercouce Foods are just a few restaurants that are entirely plant-based.
· Burger King Restaurants have partnered with a pant-based patty company.
· In 2016, Canada has removed dairy from the food guide pyramid / plate entirely and decreased the servings of processed foods.
Coaches and Athletic Trainers should to be aware of this change. It is happening in the athletic community at our schools. Whatever path our athletes take with their approach to diet, they should receive support and guidance from us. If we don’t feel comfortable talking about nutrition or recommending a diet, we should refer our athletes to a specialist.
“The most ethical diet just so happens to be the most environmentally sound diet and just so happens to be the healthiest.” Dr. Michael Greger