Plant-based muscle growth

The entire idea of plant-based diets is not a new concept. Plant-based diets have become a popular topic, especially in the fitness world as well as the general health space. Nonetheless, it is still prudent to define some of the trends in this space:

• Veganism– the practice of abstaining from all animal-related products. In this regard, it is the practice of abstaining from all animal-related food sources. Vegans don’t eat meat (red, white, game meat, processed), fish, milk & dairy products, eggs and any other animal-derived foods. (this is the basis of the other subclasses of diet types and may extend to their entire lifestyle)

• Vegetarianism – the practice of abstaining from meat but does not extend to some animal products. Vegetarians mostly do not consume all types of meat but may still consume other types of animal-derived products. They may still choose to consume eggs, milk and its products and honey; they abstain from products resulting from slaughter of animals.

• Plant-based diet – this type of diet focuses heavily on whole foods and plant-derived nutrition mostly for health reasons. However, some plant-based dieters often consume meat and animal products e.g animal-derived supplements to boost their nutritional profile. The diet is predominantly plant-derived but may or may not contain low amounts of animal-derived food products.

• Flexitarianism – this is a more accommodative diet for those who don’t want to completely let go of meat but still want to enjoy the benefits of plant-based dieting. Flexitarians aren’t as devote vegans or vegetarians but they are also focused on a more plant-oriented diet. They can however enjoy meat if the cravings kick in without the guilt that would follow a vegan or vegetarian.

 Let’s zoom in on the vegetarian diet

Vegetarian is a fair balance of animal products consumption. For those who may feel like it’s too much to give all the meat and cheese at once, then this is not a bad place to start. For those who don’t feel so strongly about animal rights just yet, this is a fair balance. Vegetarianism is a good test of what you actually want and how much you are willing to give up for a healthier and much more sustainable diet. 

You still have plenty of food choices to pick from and can scale up from here. A vegetarian diet also still allows you to reap almost all the benefits of going 100% plant-based so you can expect the body transformation and health boost to come through.

Vitaminfood is 100% vegan

Vitaminfood is a 100% vegan nutrition company. All nutrition products and powdered formulas are prepared without any animal products whatsoever. This makes VItaminfood meal replacements and protein powder all suitable for vegans and vegetarians alike. Our reasons are simple, better for the body and for the planet. 

By adjusting your food choices to align with Vitaminfood’s, animals suffer less, you become healthier and we collectively leave a smaller carbon footprint in the world. 

So, what do vegetarians eat?

There are a lot of foods to choose from. Of course taking off meat from the list makes it shorter but still long enough to have everything you need not just for survival but for taste and aesthetic satisfaction. 

In place of meat, there’s so many meat alternatives and even more coming up every day. Every vegan/vegetarian should however work on being satisfied even without the meatless alternatives. 

Popular foods among vegans include:

Meal replacements – vegan meal replacements are becoming more and more popular among vegans and vegetarians each day. Majorly because they are easy to prepare and have a complete nutritional profile.

Tofu – you can’t be vegan and not know about tofu. This is a vegan staple made from coagulated soy milk. The milk is then made into soft or firm solid bean curd and flavored whichever way you want. Tofu is popular because it is high on protein and nutrients with several flavors to choose from.

Tempeh – sits alongside Tofu in the Vegan hall of fame. Tempeh is also prepared from soy but unlike tofu, tempeh is actually fermented from the soy beans themselves. It is more chunkier like meat and contains more protein per serving compared to tofu. There’s probably a few tastier flavors than tofu but is a good staple.

Chickpea pasta is a fantastic alternative to traditional pasta. Made from chickpea flour, this popular choice is loaded with vitamins and minerals, and has about 14 grams of protein per serving!

Many plant foods are rich in protein. There are particularly good sources – lentils, beans, chickpeas, soya, tofu, tempeh, hummus, beanburgers, falafels, lentil dhal, chickpea curry, bean casseroles, dips, spreads, etc.

Why switch to a plant-based diet:

Plant-based diets and protein supplements are taking the world by force. Seitan, tofu and tempeh are common meat alternatives for vegans. Plant protein is safer and healthy, for you and for the planet.

Vitaminfood is a recommended choice for plant based protein shakes and protein shakes without sugar. Vitaminfood offers healthy plant based protein powder supplements and shakes. Not vegan junk like some popular vegan meat alternatives and burgers. Plant protein can also be obtained from protein bars and inclusive meal plans.

Why should you switch to plant-based protein sources and a generally plant based diet? The reasons are many and fully justified. 

Plant protein is a healthier alternative to meat and animal sources. 

• Pea protein – peas have a healthy complete protein profile and are highly protein-dense legumes. This is Vitaminfood’s select protein source.

• Brown rice protein – is a great protein source especially for protein isolate concentrates in which the starch has been extracted. It contains at least 37% of the essential amino acids profile and could benefit from combining it with other sources.

• Soy protein – this is a complete protein source, containing nine essential amino acids. It is also widely used because of cost and availability. However, allergies related to this protein source can be very serious and should be avoided if allergic.

• Hemp protein – contains 20 amino acids; that includes all 9 essential ones. The protein alone will of course not make you high as it lacks the cannabinoids. Hemp is also rich in omega 3 and 6. As part of the adoption of hemp into the health and nutrition industry, Vitaminfood is exploring a pea + hemp protein combination.

With all these protein sources and many more listed here, it is still very normal to find new vegans and veganism critics complaining about “getting enough protein as a vegan”. There are sufficient delicious plant-based protein sources, in fact, more than enough. These include the legumes and the products made from them, i.e, tofu, tempeh, meat substitutes, vegan milk etc. Nuts are also a great protein source and important source of vegan milk.

Opt for Vitaminfood; a vegan, vegetarian or flexitarian diet and start reaping the benefits of eating green If the ascent seems to steep, begin slowly with reduction and slowly substituting with Vitaminfood, gradually increasing to complete elimination.

References:

1. https://www.onegreenplanet.org/vegan-food/the-best-vegan-protein-sources-if-youre-trying-to-avoid-mock-meat/
2. https://www.cnbctv18.com/india/first-meat-now-protein-supplements-but-is-india-buying-into-the-vegan-boom-14827121.htm
3. https://www.mensxp.com/health/recommends/118779-best-protein-powders-and-supplements.html
4. https://www.adlibris.com/se/bok/vegan-bodybuilding-cookbook-9781774851395
5. https://www.peta.org/living/food/vegan-bodybuilders/
6. https://veganfitwerden.de/vegan-bodybuilding-fitness/
7. https://www.forkstofeet.com/2020/06/vegan-bodybuilding-a-quick-guide-for-beginners.html
8. https://www.performancelab.com/blogs/nutrition/vegan-bodybuilding-meal-prep

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