I cannot seem to figure out how to keep my protein level where I need it to be for the maintenance of my muscle mass. My husband is a PRO all natural body builder and his needs are pretty extreme like most athletes I would guess. He has been very supportive of my transition into my Vegan life style ( 6 months ) now. However we have noticed a real change in my figure and muscle like I already mentioned LOL, I am rambling, my real point here is his growing concern for the changes he would like to make in his diet as well, however we own and train body builders so he is very nerves about major changes in his physique, any help out there would be great. The only soy I do is fermented I have delt with thyroid issues in the past. I fear soy is mis-leading. My research has shown fermented soy is the best for the body and your hormones levels.
Thank you for the info. I hope to get my book by Saturday... I have been to a couple of BB websites, but didn't see much there not to mention those men are much smaller then my husband in the muscle department. I think that is why he is so concerned.. Thanks again
Sierra, thank you I went to the website you provided, it sounds like i am doing the right things, but something is off my lean mass is down almost 4 lbs. in three months. My energy for the workouts is GREAT, but..... I will share this info. with my husband I hope it will further his decision to at least give it try before this November. Thanks again...
I recommend reading "Thrive" by Brendan Brazier. He's a vegan and a super athlete and has a lot of info about getting enough protein and necessary nutrients to support that lifestyle.
My husband is getting really into bodybuilding...and i dont want to push the vegan lifestyle onto him but i dont like watching him eat all this meat and stuff and polluting his body.. (i'm very new to this lifestyle - about 1 month)
Any suggestions... he says he needs his meat to build muscle and such (i've shown him the section on TKD about the vegan bodybuilders but he wont listen)
Would be great if we could both do this together...help...
Have to second the Thrive diet recommendation above. Brazier has a lot of recipes for protein-rich energy bars and gels. He's not a bodybuilder but he is a professional Ironman triathelete.
As most of us are preparing our vegan foods from scratch, this limits the window for protein absorption.
Protein must be consumed within 2 hours after a work out and absorbed in your system in order for your body to repair and strengthen, thus, creating muscle.
The hitch with vegan body building is that plant proteins are complex, meaning that the body takes a lengthy period of time to digest and absorb the protein. Animal proteins are crude, or "simple proteins", meaning your body easily absorbs them.
After speaking to several nutritionists and even a holistic dietitian, the verdict was that protein powders are a must. The proteins in vegan protein powders have been extracted through processing and concentrated in a form that is easily absorbed. Unfortunately, this will not be what you want to hear or do if you are avoiding heavily processed foods.
But look at it this way. If you are following a plant-based diet, consuming whole foods that are nourishing to your body, and maintaining a conscious diet, than this one heavily processed product should can be the exception to your rule and be a "treat" to achieving the results you want.
Login or create an account on The Kind Life today and you'll be able to leave comments, share photos and videos with friends, and participate in community events!
13 Comments