As you’ve probably noticed, there are more and more sports influencers on social media. Many share updates on their performance, talk about their diets, or offer advice with sample workout routines to help aspiring athletes become successful ones. Some may promote a stereotypical image of the athlete—one who takes protein supplements or eats large amounts of animal-based products (eggs, chicken breast, milk, etc.). Are animal products really unavoidable when you’re active in sports? Is a plant-based diet compatible withintense athletic training? Can all nutritional needs be met?
Amandine Brossier, a French athlete who specializes in the 200-meter and 400-meter races, has kindly agreed to share her expertise and talk about her own experience on this topic. In fact, she has been cutting back on her consumption of meat and fish for many years and continues to compete at a high level!
Nutrition is very important for athletes, and eating more plant-based foods is perfectly compatible with physical exertion, even at the highest levels.
The important thing is to know your needs and your
All nutritional needs can be met through a plant-based diet; the key is, above all, to vary the foods you eat.
Nutrition is a key part ofa healthy lifestyle for athletes. It’s important to eat a diet tailored to your goals in order to perform well. Amandine Brossier reminds us clearly: “My body is my tool for work; it needs good fuel to perform well.” And that fuel comes in the form of nutrients: protein, fiber, carbohydrates, healthy fats… all of which are essential for keeping both the body and the mind functioning properly.
The athlete also points out that“every sport has its own specific characteristics. A judoka, for whom weight is an important factor, will not have the same needs and goals as, say, a runner.”
For several years now, Amandine Brossier has been eating less meat and fish. Her diet has become plant-based, and she says she has had “no trouble” meeting her nutritional needs. Nor has it had any impact on her performance!
So what's his secret?
A balanced diet tailored to her needs and goals. As a top-level athlete, the French athlete is monitored by health professionals, and their assessment is clear: giving up meat and fish has no impact whatsoever on her health or performance.
Switching to a plant-based diet is something anyone can do, and it’s perfectly compatible with all sports!
Now you know that you can eat more plant-based foods while still engaging in even intense physical activity. But how exactly do you do that? We asked Amandine Brossier what she puts on her plate!
The athlete has replaced meat and fish with plant-based sources of protein, such as legumes and grains. Combining the two ensures an adequate protein intake in terms of both quantity and quality. Amandine Brossier continues to eat eggs and, occasionally, dairy products, which help meet her needs for vitamin B12 and calcium, among other things.
In any case, the important thing is to eat a balanced and varied diet— and to stay open to trying new foods!
And what about plant-based alternatives in all of this?
Although she prefers to use raw ingredients that she prepares herself, Amandine Brossier explains that plant-based substitutes can help make your diet more plant-based. In fact, they’re easy to cook with and often resemble meat in terms of texture and taste. This makes it easy to transition to a more plant-based diet. “It’s a great way to introduce plant-based foods to your loved ones, for example!”
Are you an athlete looking to switch to a plant-based diet? Here are two tips from Amandine Brossier:
So, whether you're a budding athlete or a seasoned one, are you ready to switch to a plant-based diet?
