Good sports diet for a vegetarian?!
Answers: Soccer starts in less than two months and I want to feel my best for tryouts. Any ideas of what to eat to get enough vitamins and minerals leading up to soccer? Thanks!
Awesome...another veggie soccer player! Glad to see that. First of all, regarding Dirtyleg's answer: I don't think she's gonna EAT the ball. Sorry, I couldn't resist that one. Anyway...
FRUIT is the ultimate food for the athlete. For one thing, it is the best source for vitamins(since you asked about that), and nearly good enough on minerals. I would include tender greens such as lettuce and celery for that.
Don't believe the nonsense about protein. It is pretty much impossible not to have enough protein. To anyone who thinks that people like you and I lack protein, I would love to get on the soccer field with them myself, and have a little fun, if you know what I mean.
Listen, I know an athlete/trainer/doctor/ researcher/author/superb nutritional mind in his 50's (who has recently written a book you should get) who trained professional athletes(including record-holders) for most of his life, and controlled and monitored their diets as well. I have attended many of his lectures, and even one of his fitness camps. He found overwhelmingly that a low-fat diet of raw fruits and veggies was best for athletes(and anyone else).
The man's name is Douglas N. Graham, and his new book is The 80/10/10 Diet. You can get it from livingnutrition.com. I have been way into nutrition for a long time, and I think he is definitely the best, with the possible exception of his wife, Roz Gruben-Graham. I have read a lot about nutrition, and I think this book can take the place of all my other books. And I don't make a claim like that lightly.
Anyway, I am a soccer player myself. It is easily my favorite sport. I am 33 now. I played all thru high school, including competitive, then life got in the way. But last fall I took up coaching my nephew's U-8 boys team. Well, I like to be an active coach, working on the field with them. And doing this really lit the fire under me again to play. I even found some days to go down to the field and just workout by myself. I loved it!
I have been veggie for 11 years, and doing the fruit thing for about the last 4-5 years. Let me tell you, I am athletically better than ever. I am planning on getting back into college again soon to get a teaching credential, and while there, I now fully plan on trying out for the men's soccer team!
My strength and stamina are better than ever, and my mind is sharper as well. I also don't require as much sleep, and don't get sick. I have to say, I like my chances. This diet has really helped. I make whole meals out of fruit every day, and consume about 2600 cals/day. There is plenty of everything you need(to go into all the specifics of that would require a whole book). And you were smart to ask about vits and mins, instead of going directly to protein and fat, like so many others.
Most Americans have a deficiency of vits, mins, and water, and an excess of protein, and fat. A fresh fruit and veg diet is perfect for that.
Listen, I really think you should get that book. His science is very solid, and he has a very logical, down-to-earth approach. And his emphasis is not just to be vegan, but to be athletic, too. I think it is just what you are looking for. If nothing else, you will get some great nutrition facts.
Or.....if all this sounds like too much, then I would just say INCREASE the PERCENTAGE of fresh fruit in your diet as much as you can stand. That's all. Don't be afraid to think of fruit as a main course, or even an entire meal. I know it is counter to American programming to think of it that way. It was a jolt for me, too. But it really works! I now do it all the time. The more you do it, the more it will help you.
Feel free to read some more of my answers on here. This kind of thing has come up a lot with fruit. That's what most of my answers are about.
Good luck!
You can't be a vegan/vegetarian and play soccer, it's a LEATHER ball!!
there isnt a veg diet rich enough in protien, that wont bloat you too much to play soccer....
Here is an article by a vegan bodybuilder... it should give you some food and nutrition ideas:
http://www.monkeybargym.com/vegan-athlet...
Good luck!
Okay, for breakfast have a yogurt or maybe (it seems odd) but maybe some pickles! For lunch have a sanwich, with no meat, a fruit, and lots of water, for dinner use a small plate and have small dessert, try to run, go to a gym, lift weights 3-5 times a week. Good luck at tryouts