Veganuary - Is it Right for Young Athletes?

With the recent increase in popularity of the vegan diet and Veganuary in full swing, nutritionists are often bombarded with all sorts of questions about meat and dairy-free diets from ‘how can I possibly get enough protein without meat?’ to ‘do I need to cut out animal products to win?’. We take a closer look into the vegan diet to assess whether young athletes can, and should, fuel their bodies solely on plant-based foods.

Energy

Contrary to popular belief, a well planned and executed vegan diet can contain all of the foods needed to meet energy and nutrient requirements essential to health and performance ^[1]. Whilst energy demands vary from person to person and sport to sport, those with higher energy requirements, may find they need to increase the frequency and number of meals/snacks they eat in order to ensure they consume enough calories to fuel the body if following a vegan diet ^[1].

Reduced energy density and higher fibre planet-based foods combined with intense training schedules, can often result in athletes not meeting energy needs. To overcome this, increasing meal and snack frequency to around 5-8 meals/snacks per day and ensuring meals are always planned and on hand is essential ^[1].

Protein

Proteins are made up of different combinations of amino acids and consuming a variety of these is essential. Of the 20 amino acids, 8 cannot be made by the body and so must be eaten in the diet. While meat and dairy sources are often more abundant in the essential amino acids, they’re still found in many different plant sources, ^[3]. The amount contained in some plant-sources, however, may be so low they are considered to be deficient in that amino aid, meaning consuming a variety of protein-rich plant sources is key to meeting protein needs and amino acids needs.

Good sources include ^[1]:

• Beans
• Peas
• Lentils
• Nuts & Nut Butters
• Tofu
• Soy Products

Micronutrients

There are a number of micronutrients that are either found less abundantly in plant foods or are not absorbed as readily from them, meaning vegan athletes will need to pay close attention to prevent deficiencies. These include; iron, zinc, calcium and iodine as well as vitamin D, B12 and Riboflavin.

Calcium

Calcium is vital to the formation, health and strength of bones, as well as muscle contraction and is most commonly obtained from dairy products within a typical omnivorous diet, meaning vegan athletes may need to look elsewhere in their diets for this essential micronutrient.

Good sources of vegan Calcium include ^[1]:

• Dark Green Leafy Veg (cabbage, bok choy, kale, okra etc)
• Fortified juices, cereals and milk alternatives
• Nuts
• Seeds
• Legumes

Iron

Iron plays a vital role in the transport of oxygen around the body and in the production of energy ^[4], both of which are essential in exercise. It can be found in either animal (heme) or plant based sources (non-heme) and intake is a particular concern for female, vegan athletes. Symptoms of iron deficiency include tiredness, fatigue and irritability, so ensuring adequate intake is essential to athletic performance. Non-heme sources of iron cannot be absorbed by the body as efficiently, however, consuming them alongside a source of vitamin C can improve this. Similarly, iron absorption is also further limited by foods such as tea, coffee, cocoa and soy, so avoiding eating these in combination will help absorption.

Good sources of Iron include ^[1]:

• Beans
• Peas
• Dark Green Leafy Veg
• Lentils
• Tofu

Vitamin B12

Vitamin B12 plays a central roll in the formation of red blood cells and the repair and production of tissues and muscles ^[4]. It is found exclusively in animal products, resulting in an increased risk of deficiency for vegan athletes. Fortified foods are essential to ensure adequate intakes are consumed, or alternatively, a multivitamin offers a good alternative.

Omega-3

Omega-3 fatty acids are commonly associated with anti-inflammatory properties and are mostly derived from fish and marine sources, making deficiency a potential concern for the vegan athlete. Considering this, vegan athletes may find it beneficial to supplement with DHA-rich microalgae supplements ^[1].

Which Diet Is Best?

While a lot of information in the media claim vegan diets offer an array of both health and performance benefits over an omnivorous diet, there is no scientific evidence to support this ^[1]. In fact, evidence suggests neither diet is superior in terms of athletic performance ^[5], but rather a well-balanced and nutritious diet is vital.

Preference should be given to whole food sources where possible with a focus on meeting individual energy demands for both health, development and performance. The quality and timing of dietary intake, as well as consuming a variety of nutritious food sources is essential to fuelling winning performances.

YSN

Youth Sport Nutrition have created the world’s first food powder shake tailored specifically to active youths. Not only is it a great source of protein, but each shake also contains a specific blend of fats, carbs and 16 essential micronutrients to ensure athletes get everything their body needs to perform and its best. NUTRI-TEEN Shakes are specifically designed to cater to the nutritional needs of active youths, this food powder can help fill in any dietary gaps, providing the high-quality protein that's crucial for muscle recovery and growth.

Available in several kid-approved flavours, these food powder shakes offer a quick, easy, and tasty way to boost your child's protein intake. What sets NUTRI-TEEN shakes apart is their focus on supporting youths during their vital growth and development phases, as well as facilitating recovery.

Please remember, these food powder shakes are not meant to replace a balanced diet of whole foods. Instead, they're designed to complement it, particularly when your child's dietary needs are heightened due to intense training sessions. If ensuring adequate protein through food alone is proving difficult, consider adding YSN NUTRI-TEEN shakes to your young athlete's nutritional plan for that added support.

Disclaimer: This article is intended to provide general information about nutrition and is not meant to replace professional dietary advice or individual nutritional counselling. Every child's nutritional needs can vary due to factors such as age, size, physical activity level, and medical conditions. We strongly recommend consulting with a registered dietitian or a healthcare provider before making changes to your child's diet, such as adding food powders. YSN and the author of this article do not take responsibility for any possible consequences from any treatment, procedure, dietary modification, action, or application of medication which results from reading or following the information contained in this article.

References

1. VEGETARIAN AND VEGAN DIETS FOR ATHLETIC TRAINING AND PERFORMANCE(2020) [Online]. 2020. Available at: https://www.gssiweb.org/en/sports-science-exchange/Article/vegetarian-and-vegan-diets-for-athletic-training-and-performance. (Accessed: 14 January 2020).
2. Boisseau, N., Vermorel, M., Rance, M., Duché, P. and Patureau-Mirand, P. (2007). Protein requirements in male adolescent soccer players. European Journal of Applied Physiology, 100(1), pp.27-33.
3. Lanham-New, S. (2011). Sport and exercise nutrition. Oxford: Wiley-Blackwell.
4. Debasis Bagchi, S. and Sen, C. (2019)Nutrition and Enhanced Sports Performance (Second Edition). [Place of publication not identified]: Academic Press.
5. Schoenfeld, M. (2018) Nutritional Considerations for the Female Vegan Athlete.Strength and Conditioning Journal, p. 1.