There it is now – the season break. In most cases, this means exercising less and eating more. It is therefore all the more important to think about what is on the plate – and to think outside the box from time to time.
15 years ago I switched from a vegetarian to a purely vegan diet. While this was primarily due to ethical and ecological reasons, I would like to report on the positive side effects of this diet, especially with regard to endurance or competitive sports, and clear up some prejudices. First things first: yes, I've been eating completely vegan for 15 years, do endurance sports AND I'm still alive. Yes, I get all the nutrients I need. No, it is not a renunciation, but an enrichment! And no: it is not difficult!
The advantages that a purely plant-based diet provides in addition to reducing animal suffering and making an active contribution to environmental protection are, among others
- Reduced intake of saturated fat and cholesterol, which means reduced risk of cardiovascular disease!
- By eating fruit and vegetables, your body is automatically supplied with a variety of antioxidants, which counteract carcinogenic free radicals. The risk of cancer is reduced. The consumption of red or processed meat and dairy products, on the other hand, has been linked to various types of cancer.
- A high-fiber diet reduces the risk of developing diabetes.
- Digesting plant-based foods requires less energy. Conversely, this means that the athlete has more of it available for training.
- Meat and dairy products promote inflammation in the body - so it's better to avoid them!
I always ate what I felt like eating. One automatically deals more intensively with food, its composition and preparation. But just as little as I train according to a plan, I don't eat according to it. My experience has shown me: the body tells you what it needs. listen to him
I don't supplement magnesium, calcium or iron (to name the most common dietary supplements). Since the change in diet, I feel much more powerful and regenerate faster than other athletes. Several finished running and cycling marathons, Ironmans or even a double Ironman should speak for themselves!
I can say from my own experience: veganism and competitive sports complement each other perfectly! So try it! Legumes, nuts, seeds, fruit & vegetables - colorful, varied, performance-enhancing and DELICIOUS!
And if there are days when you're missing the last kick: Green N' Fit is a purely herbal sports drink dissolved in water with a combination of ginseng extract, B vitamins, zinc and magnesium, which provides the body supplied with readily available energy and supports normal energy metabolism. With this in mind: Get green – get fit!