Athletes can win medals without meat

A typical 800-pound adult male gorilla thrives on a diet of vegetables, fruit and nuts.

Nutritionist and book author Sally Beare said: “The gorilla is only a close relative of ours, but the latest research in sports nutrition shows that our top athletes not only build sufficient muscle, but do best in terms of endurance and stamina, when following a vegetarian diet.”

This nutritional relationship between diet and performance may play a factor once more in the highly anticipated boxing rematch between self-proclaimed vegan Timothy Bradley and multi-titlist Manny Pacquiao in April. Bradley reportedly foregoes any animal protein—pork, beef, chicken and dairy—in prefight training. In their first match in 2012, Bradley pulled off an upset split-decision victory.

Vegan athletes

Bradley is in good company. Several other vegan athletes include 9-time Olympic gold medalist Carl Lewis, who was voted “Sportsman of the Century” by the International Olympic Committee and named “Olympian of the Century” by Sports Illustrated magazine. Chef Jannequin Bennett’s book “Very Vegetarian” quoted him as saying that his best year of track competition was the first year he was on a vegan diet.

International Sports Sciences Association-certified trainer Rea Frey, who authored “Power Vegan: Plant-Fueled Nutrition for Maximum Health and Fitness,” enumerated a long list of vegetarian or vegan Olympic athletes, which include Brenzan Brazier (professional Ironman triathlete and author of “Thrive”), Andreas Cahling, Swedish champion bodybuilder and gold medalist in the ski jump, Chris Campbell (wrestling champion), Keith Holmes (world-champion middleweight boxer) and Scott Jurek (ultra marathoner).

Frey listed some of the best power foods for athletes: Chia (an Aztec power food, its seeds a great source of dietary fiber, protein and omegas); Chlorella (complete protein and contains all B vitamins, vitamin C, vitamin E and major minerals); coconut water (full of electrolytes, supplying proper hydration for athletes and a better alternative to sugary sports drinks); Maca root (Incan superfood known to enhance energy and stamina); Sacha inchi (also known as Incan peanut; high in omegas, promotes heart health); sea vegetables (source of calcium, iron and iodine); and Yerba mate (better alternative to coffee for enhanced performance). Recommended plant protein sources are hemp, legumes, pseudograins, seeds, tofu, or tempeh.