VEGETARIAN BODYBUILDING MYTHS

VEGETARIAN BODYBUILDING MYTHS

There are various Myths regarding Bodybuilding and Vegetarianism.

It is said that Bodybuilders cannot be Vegetarians and Vegetarians cannot become Bodybuilders, but this is definitely not true.

The image of a Vegetarian is of a skinny person, who is underbuilt , unhealthy, lacks muscular strength and energy, but it is not true,

A vegetarian can also acquire the vital protein from plant and dairy sources provided he consumes it in mixed quantities.

Click here for a Complete Vegetarian Diet for Bodybuilding.

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Following are some famous Myths regarding Bodybuilding and Vegetarianism:

VEGETARIAN MYTHS:

Myth 1. Vegetarians can’t get enough protein.

As a vegetarian, primary protein sources are dairy, eggs, grains, beans (including soy), and legumes. Protein supplements like whey protein concentrate and isolate can be consumed like any other bodybuilder and many other athletes. While some of these foods contain so-called incomplete proteins (ie. insufficient quantities of all the essential amino acids), most have solid amino acid profiles and biological values. Some become complete proteins when eaten in combination with other protein foods during the course of the day, like rice (grain) in combination with lentils (legumes).

Myth 2. There are certain nutrients one can only get from eating meat.

Certain key nutrients that are found in meat besides protein are the minerals like iron and zinc, and the vitamin B12.

IRON:

With regard to iron, plant-sourced iron is qualitatively different and more difficult to absorb than meat-sourced iron. However, adjustments can be made that will more than compensate for the difference. For example, foods which contain good quantities of vitamin C will significantly increase absorption of plant-sourced iron, just as coffee and tea will hinder absorption. In addition, dairy products and calcium supplements compete with iron for absorption, and should be taken separately. Foods rich in iron include lentils, beans, tofu, breakfast cereals, and eggs.

ZINC:

Regarding zinc, there are many plant foods which contain significant quantities of zinc, including legumes, nuts, seeds, and tofu. For vegetarians and meat-eating athletes alike, however, it is unlikely that the level of zinc in the diet would be ideal. Supplementation is recommended such that the total intake of zinc approximates 25 mg per day.

VITAMIN B12:

Vitamin B12 is known as the “dirty” vitamin, because its actual source is bacteria and other microorganisms. The primary B12 sources for vegetarians are dairy products and eggs. For vegetarian athletes, however, it is difficult to garner sufficient quantities of B12 from the diet, as levels in any food will vary so much as to become unreliable on an ongoing basis. Some supplementation is recommended.

Myth 3. Vegetarians are skinny. They cannot grow muscle mass the way a meat-eater can.

Add more dietary protein from sources such as legumes, soy, beans, lentils, oats, cottage cheese, tofu, yoghurt and supplement the rest with protein shakes. This will fulfill your daily protein requirement for bodybuilding.

Myth 4. Vegetarians lack energy and strength.

This Myth is outrageous. Having a big meal of meat and eggs will make one feel lethargic and sleepy because of the degree of energy required to digest that kind of non vegetarian food. Thus, having non vegetarian meal will make you feel low in energy.

Vegetarian foods are easily digested and require very less energy to digest food in comparison to non vegetarian food. Hence you feel full of energy after having a vegetarian meal.

Myth 5. Being vegetarian is not healthy.

This is the most untenable myth in terms of research. There is a veritable truckload of research indicating that the benefits of a vegetarian diet are numerous and significant, including lower incidence and even reversal of ischemic heart disease, significant improvements in blood cholesterol, lower incidence of several cancers, improvements in systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and lower incidence of diabetes being some of the most well-documented.

Click to know all the advantages of a VEGETARIAN DIET

Myth 6. One cannot be competitive as a bodybuilder as a vegetarian.

On a level drug-tested competition field, there is no evidence to suggest a bodybuilder eating a vegetarian diet cannot build the same muscularity, symmetry, proportion, and definition as a bodybuilder eating a meat diet. Even this 50 year old writer managed to place 1^st in the Grand Masters in 2004 at the Ontario National Qualifier. (Shameless plug.) Bodybuilding is a function of optimal training coupled with optimal diet (assuming decent genetics).

Click here for OPTIMAL BODYBUILDING DIET FOR VEGETARIANS Article

Hope this article satisfies your various queries regarding Vegetarianism and Bodybuilding

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