vegetarian

[emile_jensen]

Hi,
What are the benefits & costs of eating a vegetarian diet with respect to body building ?

 

[NeilPearson]

You need to get your protein. If you are a vegetarian, it is possible but you have to be really careful to eat different vegetables that contain all the amino acids that you need. If you miss one or more (like vegetables do), you will not be able to build muscle in the same way you would if you have complete proteins (from meat or a combination of the correct vegetables)

 

[emile_jensen]

But if you do get a perfectly sufficient amount of protein & amino acids then will the vegetarian diet have benefits over the carnivore diet, or will it merely be equivalent to it ?

Thanks.

You need to get your protein. If you are a vegetarian, it is possible but you have to be really careful to eat different vegetables that contain all the amino acids that you need. If you miss one or more (like vegetables do), you will not be able to build muscle in the same way you would if you have complete proteins (from meat or a combination of the correct vegetables)

 

[tucker01]

This is my personal opinion.
It is all a matter of preference. We are omniverous creatures. We can live on both or one of the other, I don't think there will be any additional benefits.

 

[NeilPearson]

But if you do get a perfectly sufficient amount of protein & amino acids then will the vegetarian diet have benefits over the carnivore diet, or will it merely be equivalent to it ?

Thanks.

It depends on what you mean by a carnivore diet. If you are getting protein from meat but not eating enough fruits and vegetables... then a balanced vegetarian diet is probably better.

If you are eating lean meats like chicken and still eating lots of fruits and vegetables... the diets are probably about the same. The trick is getting complete proteins out of vegetables isn't easy and takes lots of planning.... and the proteins in meat are more easily digested.

While protein from meat is the easiest source of protein, you also need the vitamins, minerals and fiber that comes with eating lots of fruits and vegetables. Fruits and vegetables contain tons of antioxidants that are crucial to good health.

 

[WBM]

Eggs and skim dairy are cost effective options as well if you are a lacto-ovo. Supplemental protein is a good addition as well.

 

[BerryBlis]

Just a question with regard to this that's been on my mind. I'm a semi-vegetarian (I also eat eggs and cottage cheese) but I've been trying a higher protein intake lately and I can't believe how much better I feel on it (I was about 25%/60%/15% protein/carb/fat) before and now I'm more about 40/40/20.

The only thing is that I've been using a lot of protein powder in order to acheive a higher protein intake. Assuming I'm still getting plenty of vegetables and healthy fats in my diet, is this a really bad thing? (say taking protein for 3-4 of my meals, then having the other 2 comprise of eggs and cottage cheese).

 

[WBM]

Whole foods are always better than supplemental foods, but if that is all you can do then it must suffice. You're better off exchanging most of those protein powder meals with eggs/egg whites/cottage cheese/other lacto-ovo vegetarian approved foods.