Do you ever have trouble finding nutritious foods to fuel you up properly because of certain dietary restrictions? When you are unable to receive nutrients from foods that you can't eat, it may feel discouraging to stay motivated to find new sources of fuel. On the Food For Fitness podcast, host Scott Baptie talked with Dietician Emma Mccruden about finding your diet as an athlete and vegetarian. Here's what they had to say.
Downside of Restrictions as an Athlete
When it comes to being a vegetarian and an athlete, it can be difficult to find lean protein and iron. Usually, athletes who don't have dietary restrictions find these sources in red meats and other poultry products. Even though “veggies” are a key word in “vegetarians,” Mccurden states that athletes cannot only survive on vegetables alone. You need to have different proteins and irons in your system to compete at your best and avoid health problems down the road.
Related: Meal Prepping Hacks for College Athletes
Alternative sources where you can find high levels of protein and iron include eggs, nuts/seeds, tofu, legumes, tomato paste, mushrooms, quinoa, oats, variations of peas, and much more. A tip that Baptie gives his clients is to buy a new bean product every time they go to the store. This way you are provided with an ingredient to add to your palette. He also recommends vegetarians look for recipes in different Indian-based vegetarian cookbooks to find the most flavorful ways to create dishes. If you find yourselves still low on iron, Mccurden advises that you see a certified nutritionist/dietitian before taking any supplements.
Vegetarian-Friendly Recipes
To help you along your vegetarian journey is a list of different recipes that are beneficial in fueling athletes:
- Protein-Packed Vegetarian Fried Rice Recipe | Allrecipes
- Black Bean and Rice Burritos Recipe | Allrecipes
- Breaded, Fried, Softly Spiced Tofu Recipe | Allrecipes
- Vegetarian Bean Curry Recipe | Allrecipes
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* Originally published on July 1, 2022, by Daesha Harper
