Vegetarianism: the whole (foods) story

By Sheree Clark

The largest and strongest mammals on Earth — gorilla, elephant, hippopotamus, giraffe, rhinoceros, horse, bull, buffalo, etc. — are all 100 percent plant eaters. Many proponents of vegetarianism — myself included — have cited this fact to support the argument that a vegetarian diet is superior to one that includes animal protein. But quite truthfully, I don’t believe the adoption of a meat-free diet is a panacea for athletes, or for anyone else for that matter. Let me explain.

It’s true that athletes who embrace vegetarianism consistently report an increase in overall energy and a dramatic decrease in recovery time. Plant-based proteins are more easily absorbed by the body, and — when eaten raw — maintain all their original enzymes and nutritional value. They are rich in disease-fighting fiber, minerals, vitamins, chlorophyll and healthy fats. All great things to know, but what matters more than what you eat is what you don’t eat. I’m not simply talking about avoiding animal protein here. I am referring to “junk food vegetarianism,” whereby the health seeker avoids meat products and will instead consume all kinds of processed foods, which, while they contain no meat, do include chemicals, additives, preservatives and cheap ingredients. Whatever you eat — whether it’s vegan, vegetarian or not — if your meal has a long list of stuff in it that you cannot pronounce, it isn’t going to be good for you. Period. You need to be eating whole foods.

But back to the vegetarian thing. When I suggest a plant-based protocol to people with active lifestyles, I am often met with resistance. “But I need protein,” “I won’t have enough energy,” “I tried that but I felt weak,” are all commonly cited reasons to not eliminate animal flesh from the diet. Part of the problem may lie in the fact that a switch to vegetarianism may not yield an immediate result as quickly as we’re used to in our give-it-to-me-now culture. Symptom-treating programs are all the rage (just look at how many six-, eight-, or 10-week “boot camps” are out there). And while it’s true that these often provide short-term results, long-term sustainability is rare with such an approach. The bottom line? To know if a plant-based diet will work for you, you’ll have to give it a legitimate chance. If you do, you can expect to see certain changes, including:

Better sleep, and less sleep needed

Fewer cravings for junk foods

Reduced body fat

Less inflammation

Quicker recovery time

Reduced cholesterol levels

Stronger bones

Eliminated need to turn to stimulants for energy

Better mental clarity

Many of these benefits come simply because a vegetarian diet is more alkaline-forming (as opposed to acid-forming) to the body. Alkalizing foods are an integral part of the body’s successful post-exercise repair process. If not properly dealt with, lactic acid build-up from physical exertion will lead to muscle stiffness, joint pain and general fatigue. Acid forming foods (such as meat, refined sugars, wheat products, “junk food,” etc.) simply add to this load and slow down recovery.

To experience real benefits from a diet change to vegetarianism, don’t simply cut out meat and make no other adjustments. When you buy prepared products, read the labels and opt for those with fewer ingredients. Better yet, ditch the refined foods and make more of your meals yourself. Be sure to use quality ingredients and try and find some good recipes (check out www.NoMeatAthlete.com).

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