But what about protein!?!
Protein is a macronutrient just like fat and carbohydrates that is found in virtually ALL foods. The fact is marketing efforts tell us that meat and dairy are the only way to get protein, when in actuality young athletes should be more focused on their carbs which are the body’s preferred fuel for energy.
For nearly 20 years science has proven that ALL animal products induce an inflammatory response…20 years! Additionally, about 65% of the human population is lactose intolerant. It’s simple…when you reduce your intake of meat and dairy you reduce inflammation.
When in doubt, imitate greatness! 10X NBA All-star Chris Paul attributes his resurgence in the 2019-2020 season to his vegan diet. For those who still think a meatless diet makes you weak or less masculine, Olympic weightlifter Kendrick Farris is destroying those stereotypes.
Many believe that it is more difficult to achieve the recommended dietary allowances (RDA) of protein when not consuming animal products, but again, essentially ALL foods contain protein. Plus, .36 grams of protein for every 1lb of body weight is easier to achieve than you may think. A 14 year old female athlete weighing 135lbs needs about 50 grams of protein a day. Beef = 6.4g protein per 100 calories while broccoli = 11.1g protein per 100 calories!
People discuss “complete” protein in defense of meat and dairy, but that only applies if you consume ONE source of protein. Eating a wide variety of whole plant foods ensures that you will have all of the amino acids (and nutrients) needed to perform at your best.