Nutrition for Runners - Part Two

Vegetarianism - Will I Still Get My Protein?

Many of the world’s greatest athletes including the fastest human in the world, Carl Lewis, are vegetarian. Protein and iron are rich in many food groups other than meat, which contain also less fat and saturated fat than meats. Generally speaking those in counties lacking in animal products like Africa and Asia, coronary disease is almost unheard of, whereas countries that are high consumers of meat like Germany, Finnland, the US, even beautiful New Zealand, coronary disease is a real risk.

Sri Chinmoy, sprinting champion in his youth and current world record holder in weightlifting speaks about the role of vegetarianism in The Inner Meaning of Sport. He says “I have been a strict vegetarian for over fifty years. I feel that if we eat vegetables, we will absorb the consciousness of Mother Earth. Mother Earth is so kind and compassionate to us and she has infinite strength. But if we eat meat and fish, we absorb the aggressive and restless consciousness of the animal kingdom. We believe that this restlessness weakens us.”

So the misconception of a vegetarian diet lacking in nutrients is now well in the past, it is a proven healthy choice which provides all the strength and stamina a runner could need. Although it is not necessary to give up meat, it is defiantly beneficial.

Consumer Guide

In addition to what you eat, be wary of what else you put into your body. I’ll finish with Gilmour, “Add to physical inactivity the further factors of over eating and excessive consumption of alcohol; and tobacco and we have a massive mutual conspiracy to rob us of our greatest asset, physical fitness”

By Ujjwala Mettrick – 1st in Food-Nutrition 2000 (St Andrews College)