Vegetarianism means low sports performance ..... ?

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Crankarm

Guru
Location
Nr Cambridge
Is being vegetarian incompatiable with being a serious athlete? Is one destined to lose out to competitors who are meat eaters as they have a much better source of high protein thus giving them more strength and stamina?

I suggest this as the veggie TdF team sunk without trace.

Also I was veggie for about 11-12 years gave up in 2004-2005 as I was constantly getting injuries and having no energy or explosive power. It is now almost 5 years after eating meat that I have finally regained what I feel is a proper level of power and endurance. Obviously I'm over 15 years older but I don't feel like I am falling apart anymore when trying to do a serious level of sport cycling, running or any other high intensity sport which is most. Though I still don't eat roasts eg beef or steaks :wacko:.

If you're an average sedantry person your body can easily cope with the physical demands placed on it if you are vegetarian, but once you start high level intense work outs your body needs much more protein but your diet cannot deliver it so you are destined to fail against competitors who eat meat plus a veggie diet simply cannot provide your body iwth sufficient protein to match the increased physical demands you are placing upon it.
 

Ravenbait

Someone's imaginary friend
Not at all.

http://www.richroll.com/

He's vegan, never mind vegetarian.

But it doesn't work for everyone. Everyone is different. I think the trick is to find what works for you, and if being vegetarian doesn't work for you, then that doesn't mean there's something wrong with you.

Sam
 
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Crankarm

Crankarm

Guru
Location
Nr Cambridge
Ravenbait said:
Not at all.

http://www.richroll.com/

He's vegan, never mind vegetarian.

But it doesn't work for everyone. Everyone is different. I think the trick is to find what works for you, and if being vegetarian doesn't work for you, then that doesn't mean there's something wrong with you.

Sam

Only for 6 months it would appear unless that was race preparation or since commencing the diet?

How many pro sportsmen and woman are veggies?

Cyclists, track and field - sprinters, swimmers, tennis players? Just interested as I feel so much better and stronger now I eat meat.
 

jimboalee

New Member
Location
Solihull
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serine_protease

If I'm reading this correctly, these are ensymes that break down protien molecules.

The controversial one amongst them is Elastase, the enzyme secreted by the pancreas that breaks down Elastin, or animal connective tissue.

Biologically, to me at least, this proves humans have evolved to eat other animals.
 

JNR

New Member
Lance eats meat!

Here is a list of 'athletes' who are, apparently, vegetarian.

I pulled this off Yahoo Answers so it could be totally rubbish.

Muhammed Ali - Prizefighter
Ruth Heidrich, Three-Time Ironman
Debbie Lawrence, 5k Record Holder
Jim Kaat, Baseball Player
Tony Larussa, Baseball Manager
Hank Aaron, Baseball Player
Bill Pearl, Bodybuilder
Marv Levey, Buffalo Bills Coach
Robert Parnish, Center (Bulls)
Joe Namath, Football Player
Lawrence Phillips, Football Player (49ers)
Steve Bellamy, Founder of the Tennis Channel
Surya Bonaly, French Figure Skater
Brendan Brazier, Ironman Triathlete
Sally Eastall, Marathon Runner
Andreas Cahling, Mr. International Bodybuilder
Carl Lewis, Olympic Track Star
Edwin Moses, Olympic Champion
Leroy Burrell, Olympic Champion
Murray Rose, Olympic Swimmer
Pat Reeves, Power Lifter
Bill Manetti, Powerlifting Champion
Ed Templeton, Pro Skateboarder
Mike Manzoori, Pro Skateboarder
Brian Anderson, Pro Skateboarder
Jamie Thomas, Pro Skateboarder
Forest Kirby, Pro Skateboarder
Brian Sumner, Pro Skateboarder
Andrew Reynolds, Pro Skateboarder
Jen O'brien, Pro Skateboarder
Matt Field, Pro Skateboarder
Chris Lambert, Pro Skateboarder
Brad Staba, Pro Skateboarder
Geoff Rowley, Pro Skateboarder
Rick Mc Crank, Pro Skateboarder
Moses Itkonen, Pro Skateboarder
Sergei Trudnowski, Pro Skateboarder
Laban Pheidas, Proskater
Steve Berra, Proskater
Anastasia Ashley, Surfer
Martina Navratilova, Tennis Player
Bille Jean King, Tennis Champion
Peter Burwash, Tennis Champion
John Salley, Toronto Raptors
Lucy Stephens, Tri-athlete
Stan Price, World Record Bench Press
Killer Kowalski, Wrestler



Some big names there!
 
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Crankarm

Crankarm

Guru
Location
Nr Cambridge
jimboalee said:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serine_protease

If I'm reading this correctly, these are ensymes that break down protien molecules.

The controversial one amongst them is Elastase, the enzyme secreted by the pancreas that breaks down Elastin, or animal connective tissue.

Biologically, to me at least, this proves humans have evolved to eat other animals.

For sure. So vegetarianism is a lifestyle choice or because in some population groups the availaibility of other animals/protein to eat is low or of poor quality - unless one is Bear Grylls :wacko:.
 
i've been vegetarian almost since i was born, (52 now) i've no problems stamina wise or strength wise. I raced and been under the hour and had several placings in road races.
maybe these aren't at the highest level but i don't think i've missed out by being vegetarian.
 
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Crankarm

Crankarm

Guru
Location
Nr Cambridge
JNR said:
Lance eats meat!

Here is a list of 'athletes' who are, apparently, vegetarian.

I pulled this off Yahoo Answers so it could be totally rubbish.

Muhammed Ali - Prizefighter
Ruth Heidrich, Three-Time Ironman
Debbie Lawrence, 5k Record Holder
Jim Kaat, Baseball Player
Tony Larussa, Baseball Manager
Hank Aaron, Baseball Player
Bill Pearl, Bodybuilder
Marv Levey, Buffalo Bills Coach
Robert Parnish, Center (Bulls)
Joe Namath, Football Player
Lawrence Phillips, Football Player (49ers)
Steve Bellamy, Founder of the Tennis Channel :wacko:?
Surya Bonaly, French Figure Skater
Brendan Brazier, Ironman Triathlete
Sally Eastall, Marathon Runner
Andreas Cahling, Mr. International Bodybuilder
Carl Lewis, Olympic Track Star
Edwin Moses, Olympic Champion
Leroy Burrell, Olympic Champion
Murray Rose, Olympic Swimmer
Pat Reeves, Power Lifter
Bill Manetti, Powerlifting Champion
Ed Templeton, Pro Skateboarder
Mike Manzoori, Pro Skateboarder
Brian Anderson, Pro Skateboarder
Jamie Thomas, Pro Skateboarder
Forest Kirby, Pro Skateboarder
Brian Sumner, Pro Skateboarder
Andrew Reynolds, Pro Skateboarder
Jen O'brien, Pro Skateboarder
Matt Field, Pro Skateboarder
Chris Lambert, Pro Skateboarder
Brad Staba, Pro Skateboarder
Geoff Rowley, Pro Skateboarder
Rick Mc Crank, Pro Skateboarder
Moses Itkonen, Pro Skateboarder
Sergei Trudnowski, Pro Skateboarder
Laban Pheidas, Proskater
Steve Berra, Proskater
Anastasia Ashley, Surfer
Martina Navratilova, Tennis Player
Bille Jean King, Tennis Champion
Peter Burwash, Tennis Champion
John Salley, Toronto Raptors
Lucy Stephens, Tri-athlete
Stan Price, World Record Bench Press
Killer Kowalski, Wrestler



Some big names there!

Only ones I recognise afer a quick skim is Mohammad Ali, Carl Lewis, Edwin Moses and Billie Jean King. Were they vegetarian whilst competing?

Does founding the Tennis Channel require tennis skill or any sporting ability for that matter?
 
JNR said:
Lance eats meat!

Here is a list of 'athletes' who are, apparently, vegetarian.

I pulled this off Yahoo Answers so it could be totally rubbish.

Muhammed Ali - Prizefighter
Ruth Heidrich, Three-Time Ironman
Debbie Lawrence, 5k Record Holder
Jim Kaat, Baseball Player
Tony Larussa, Baseball Manager
Hank Aaron, Baseball Player
Bill Pearl, Bodybuilder
Marv Levey, Buffalo Bills Coach
Robert Parnish, Center (Bulls)
Joe Namath, Football Player
Lawrence Phillips, Football Player (49ers)
Steve Bellamy, Founder of the Tennis Channel
Surya Bonaly, French Figure Skater
Brendan Brazier, Ironman Triathlete
Sally Eastall, Marathon Runner
Andreas Cahling, Mr. International Bodybuilder
Carl Lewis, Olympic Track Star
Edwin Moses, Olympic Champion
Leroy Burrell, Olympic Champion
Murray Rose, Olympic Swimmer
Pat Reeves, Power Lifter
Bill Manetti, Powerlifting Champion
Ed Templeton, Pro Skateboarder
Mike Manzoori, Pro Skateboarder
Brian Anderson, Pro Skateboarder
Jamie Thomas, Pro Skateboarder
Forest Kirby, Pro Skateboarder
Brian Sumner, Pro Skateboarder
Andrew Reynolds, Pro Skateboarder
Jen O'brien, Pro Skateboarder
Matt Field, Pro Skateboarder
Chris Lambert, Pro Skateboarder
Brad Staba, Pro Skateboarder
Geoff Rowley, Pro Skateboarder
Rick Mc Crank, Pro Skateboarder
Moses Itkonen, Pro Skateboarder
Sergei Trudnowski, Pro Skateboarder
Laban Pheidas, Proskater
Steve Berra, Proskater
Anastasia Ashley, Surfer
Martina Navratilova, Tennis Player
Bille Jean King, Tennis Champion
Peter Burwash, Tennis Champion
John Salley, Toronto Raptors
Lucy Stephens, Tri-athlete
Stan Price, World Record Bench Press
Killer Kowalski, Wrestler



Some big names there!
Add Robert Millar, KoM 1984 TdF to that list :wacko:

IIRC he was a vegetarian not for ethical reasons but it was better/ more easily processed by his system.
 

JNR

New Member
Absolutely no idea on that I'm afraid. They might not even be actual vegetarians at all, it's just a list of the internetz.
 
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Crankarm

Crankarm

Guru
Location
Nr Cambridge
piedwagtail91 said:
i've been vegetarian almost since i was born, (52 now) i've no problems stamina wise or strength wise. I raced and been under the hour and had several placings in road races.
maybe these aren't at the highest level but i don't think i've missed out by being vegetarian.


Interesting. How do you deal with making sure you get enough protein? Fish or a lot of eggs?

I must admit I found it a real struggle which in the end became a real chore. I've had placings in road races not at the front though! I don't eat lots and lots of meat but without it I'd feel cream crackered like I used to when a veggie. Perhaps I wasn't eating the right veggie foods. Some times I would feel pretty good out on the bike or out running but invariably I'd end up with an injury or severe lethargy.
 
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