5 Books All Vegan Athletes Should Read
Vegan Athletes are a force to be reckoned with. They are powerful, lean and strong. Plant-based athletes have an immediate advantage over any athlete that is eating a standard mean based diet.
Most people say you can't perform and get enough protein on a plant-based diet to reach the pinnacle of any sport. This is a myth and couldn't be any further from the truth. Plant-based diets provide more than enough protein for your needs. In fact, it actually provides a much cleaner protein that is used more efficiently by the body.
On a vegan diet, athletes will get so much clean fuel. Our bodies run off of the fuel we give it and anyone on a plant-based diet has a head start because of the nutrition they eat.
There are some amazing examples of people who have achieved amazing things and reached the highest level of their sport on a plant-based diet.
We wanted to give you our top 5 books you should read for information about fueling athletic activity on a plant-based diet. This information is invaluable and we hope you read and enjoy!
If you want to learn more about how a plant-based diet can help your athletic performance check out our Improve Athletic Performance page for some more info.
Finding Ultra - Rich Roll
Finding Ultra recounts Rich’s remarkable journey to the starting line of the elite Ultraman competition, which pits the world’s fittest humans in a 320-mile ordeal of swimming, biking, and running. And following that test, Rich conquered an even greater one: the EPIC5—five Ironman-distance triathlons, each on a different Hawaiian island, all completed in less than a week.
In the years since Finding Ultra was published, Rich has become one of the world’s most recognized advocates of plant-based living. In this newly revised and updated edition, he shares the practices, tools, and techniques he uses for optimal performance, longevity, and wellness, including diet and nutrition protocols.
Thrive Fitness - Brendan Brazier
On the heels of his acclaimed vegan nutrition guide, Thrive, professional Ironman triathlete Brendan Brazier presents his own easy-to-apply system for total health and fitness, complete with detailed exercises and photos. Thrive Fitness explains how to gain maximum results in minimal time. Whether you’re a time-crunched beginner or an experienced athlete, Thrive Fitness will help you sculpt strong, lean muscles; enhance the quality of your sleep; reduce body fat; minimize your risk of disease; increase energy; sharpen mental clarity; cut sugar cravings; and prevent sports injuries.
Eat and Run - Scott Jurek
For nearly two decades, Scott Jurek has been a dominant force—and darling—in the grueling and growing sport of ultrarunning. Until recently he held the American 24-hour record and he was one of the elite runners profiled in the runaway bestseller Born to Run.
In Eat and Run, Jurek opens up about his life and career as a champion athlete with a plant-based diet and inspires runners at every level. From his Midwestern childhood hunting, fishing, and cooking for his meat-and-potatoes family to his slow transition to ultrarunning and veganism, Scott’s story shows the power of an iron will and blows apart the stereotypes of what athletes should eat to fuel optimal performance. Full of stories of competition as well as science and practical advice—including his own recipes—Eat and Run will motivate readers and expand their food horizons.
Plant Muscle - Robert Cheeke
Plant-Based Muscle is the most complete plant-based fitness book to be released since Shred It!. Sharing experiences from different perspectives, and different backgrounds in exercise and sports nutrition, this plant-based fitness duo brings you the information, motivation, and inspiration to take your plant-based athlete lifestyle to the next level.
From start to finish, this book will provide you with the motivation, instruction, guidance, tips, recommendations, and resources to put you on the path to success. We’ve got you covered on everything from how to create a workout routine, to how to select quality foods and ingredients to prepare plant-based meals, to what to eat for improved athletic performance, to how to prevent and overcome injuries and setbacks.
Plant Strong - Rip Esselstyn
In this #1 New York Times bestseller (originally published as My Beef with Meat), Rip Esselstyn arms readers with the 36 most powerful facts that prove, once and for all, that a plant-based diet can save your life. Do you want to: Prevent cancer, heart attacks, stroke, and Type 2 Diabetes? Eat plants! Have stronger bones than milk could ever give you? Eat plants! Avoid dangerous carcinogens and contaminants? Eat plants! Lose weight and look great? Eat plants! On top of these arguments are 150 other reasons why plants rule--as in 150 delicious, mouth-watering Engine 2 recipes, including 10 that are exclusive to this new edition. Prepare to eat well, be healthy, and live plant-strong!
We are on a mission to redefine the modern athlete. Please feel free to reach out to us at hello@veganathletic.co for any additional information you may have or recommend. We are about building community and resources for all to share.