Become a better athlete

From a very young age, I did sports. My father thought it was important for us to stay fit and did morning exercises with us every morning. Nothing else came of that in my teenage years, but since I wasn't fat either, I thought I was fit. Until I got an office job after college and the pounds went up and fitness went down. I wasn't exercising enough and certainly wasn't paying attention to my food. Let alone keeping track of calories. By now I've been completely turned around for years and working out is my main outlet and 1 of my favorite things to start the day with. Preferably at 6 in the morning, because then the gym is still nice and empty. I also pay more attention to what I eat. But I started experimenting with vegan food a couple of years ago. My dinner always consisted of rice or pasta and then vegetables and meat. But right after always the after dinner dip. And I saw that many professional athletes had also switched and only noticed benefits. Then for me it was worth a try. Not only to improve my sports performance, but also for health reasons. Check out with me how a vegan diet can support your fitness goals and improve your sports performance.

Eating without animal products

When you become vegan, you no longer eat animal products. So no meat, dairy, eggs and even honey. Instead, you eat mostly fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts and seeds. Basically, you also get all your fiber, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, which your body needs. But sometimes it helps to take supplements. Vitamin b, for example, but be sure to check with your doctor first.

Benefits of a vegan diet for fitness

It has been proven that a well-planned vegan diet has many benefits for people who do a lot of fitness. For example:

- More energy
- Better circulation
- Less bloating
- More antioxidants

The program The Game Changers also shows this well. . Often a vegan diet also contains less saturated fat and cholesterol, which is also better for your cardiovascular system.

Better sports performance with a vegan diet

There are already many top athletes who have switched to a complete vegan diet. Think of crossfitters Jeremy Reijnders and Nienke van Overveld. But also Venus and Serena Williams and Novak Djokovic. All athletes who are at the top and who have had their performance boosted as a result. Vegetable food also helps against inflammation, is good for muscle recovery and for your stamina. I also notice it in myself that I am less likely to be out of breath and also no longer have dinner dips.

Supplement your nutrients

Basically, you can get all your necessary vitamins and minerals with a vegan diet. In beans, lentils, tofu and quinoa, for example, there are lots of amino acids for muscle repair and growth. But iron, calcium, vitamin B12 and omega-3 fatty acids are also important. So make sure you get enough of those, too.

Consult with your doctor and a dietitian

Are you like, I want to try this, too? Then consult with a dietician. They can work with you to create a customized diet plan that meets your calorie and nutritional needs. And a dietitian will also know which supplements you should and shouldn't take.

For me, it definitely works. I notice in daily life that I feel fitter, have more energy, I am more focused and enjoy my day more. Remember that everybody is different, so what works for me may not work for you. Also, always listen to your body.