Thinking about going Vegan? Or, maybe just cutting down some of that hard to digest meat? Well you aren’t alone! Choosing to decrease your meat products could give your body a much needed rest, temporarily increase your energy levels and help you shed some unwanted toxins. It’s also a great way to naturally cleanse your body. Sounds like a great idea right? If you’re going to choose this option then you’re going to need a little help staying full and retaining your muscle mass. The best way to do that is with some vegan protein options. This will allow you to stay on track whether your choosing to do a refuel day (only carbs and vegetable sources) or doing a full on vegan make over.
Weighing Your Options
Vegan for a Day (Per Week): You don’t have to do a 2 week Vegan cleanse to add this into your routine. It’s been promoted by the bulletproof diet to do one day a week where you eat more carbs than normal with no animal based protein. This allows your body to “catch up,” refuel on carbs and aids in muscle definition and avoiding plateaus.
Vegan Cleanses: There are all kinds of 2 – 4 week vegan cleanses floating around the web. If you choose one of these meal plans just make sure that you’re getting enough protein from natural sources and getting enough vitamins.
Full On Vegan: If you’re committing to making the switch, really think about all of the foods you are able and willing to eat. Are those foods going to be enough for you to maintain this way of life? If the answer is “yes,” then you will need to add in some key components to stay balanced and energized.
If you do decide to take the vegan route for more than one day, you’ll need to supplement with B and D vitamins to keep your energy levels up. You can attempt to get these through food. However, our food sources and our soils are over processed and lack some of the key vitamins our bodies crave.
Fitness Tips: If you go vegan for long periods of time, you may need to take a digestive enzyme so your body is better equip to pull the vitamin sources from the foods you eat. One of the biggest misconceptions is that if we eat it we absorb it, this isn’t always the case. Immune problems, toxins, and degraded intestinal tracts make absorbing food a challenge and can lead to low levels of malabsorption.
Another tip is to make sure you pair your foods to make a complete protein.
Not Sure if you’re getting enough vegan protein?
Logging your food is always a great way to track your vegan protein intake. Without addiquate amounts of protein you will go into “muscle wasting.” This is where your body begins to use your muscle mass as fuel. Sure, you’ll lose weight but you’ll also lower your resting metabolism (never a good thing). If you want to boost your protein and ensure you’re getting enough everyday, vegan protein shakes are another option to consider. The new Vega Sport is an all around good choice since it’s packed full of protein, probiotics.
Vegan for a day, a couple weeks, or a lifetime, love your body enough to make sure you are balancing out your food choices and taking in enough vegan proteins. Your energy levels, skin, and body will thank you in the end.
Adria Ali
Leave a Reply