Vegan power in strength events

At first glance, many people don’t believe that veganism can go hand in hand with bodybuilding. After all, bodybuilding is often associated with consuming meat, protein shakes and protein-rich dishes such as chicken or omelets. However, there is a growing number of bodybuilders – both male and female – who eat a vegan diet, and still manage to build up muscle mass and successfully compete in sporting events.

One of the most famous vegan bodybuilders is Nimai Delgado. Born in California, Delgado has been a vegan since he was 18, and he has managed to build up an impressive body. Delgado has participated in several competitions, and in 2016 he won first place at the prestigious NPC Gold Coast Muscle Classic event. He says that not only is a vegan diet healthy – it can also be very effective for building up muscle. Delgado is a living example of the fact that it is possible to build up impressive body mass on a plant-based diet alone.

Another vegan bodybuilder is Torre Washington, who lives in Florida. He became a professional bodybuilder in 2009, and since then he has appeared successfully at several competitions. Washington emphasizes that a vegan diet has helped shorten his recovery time, and helped him to increase muscle mass. His diet consists mainly of whole grain products, vegetables and fruits. At the same time, he stresses how important it is to eat a balanced diet in order to be successful – not just in the world of sport.

Derek Tresize is another outstanding example of a successful vegan bodybuilder. The athlete, who lives in Maryland, has won several competitions including the NPC Mid-Atlantic Cup in 2013. Tresize likes to emphasize how a vegan diet helped him to build up very toned muscles, while at the same time maintaining his health and energy levels. He mainly eats plant-based proteins such as tofu, seitan and pulses, as well as plenty of fruits and vegetables, in order to give his body all the nutrients it needs. For Tresize, the key to success lies in consuming enough calories so that you can build up muscle mass.

The success of these vegan weightlifters and bodybuilders shows that it certainly is possible to build up an impressive amount of muscle mass even if you don’t eat animal products. A balanced diet – which contains enough protein, carbohydrates and fat – is crucial for body and mind. It’s fundamentally important to make sure you eat a broad range of plant-based foods. This way, you can be sure that your body will get all the nutrients it needs.

Vegan diets can even offer advantages, as they are often rich in fiber, vitamins and minerals, and can support the body’s absorption of antioxidants. This can contribute to improved health and a strengthened immune system – something which is particularly important for bodybuilders so that they can recover from taxing training sessions. It’s well-known that mental fitness is just as important to sporting performance as physical fitness is.

Of course, being a bodybuilder on a vegan diet comes with its challenges. You have to make a conscious effort to eat enough protein, as not all plant-based protein sources contain as much protein as animal-based sources do. Meal planning and preparing particular plant-based foods can also require more time and effort.