So I am wanting to transition to a vegan diet, but I have no clue where to start. I currently am trying to bulk in the gym so I was also curious as to how I could do that on a vegan diet. Thank you
Hi Jared, and welcome to the forum.
I am not a trainer, but there are some very cool vegan YouTube channels that might help you get to where you wish to be. As to where to start to be vegan...well that depends on how healthy a vegan you want to be. You could eat Oreo cookies and French Fries every day and still call yourself vegan. I'm assuming since you want to train, bulk up, and get fit, that a healthy vegan diet is what you desire. So on that assumption, I will post some YT channels and some videos below.
There's lots of how-to videos on YT about this. I'd suggest starting with some vegan bodybuilding channels though. I just found these quickly. You can find more, if you like.
https://www.youtube.com/user/PatrikBaboumian
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCE-LXXVl3u9yJO3WRGTrEoA
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2ycqdFV0EmY5LmfM9mWkQg
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChRLXaBgHWgFBH_7LSMtodw
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWdjaK6ZvZNt5CCFJZ2nvFg
I am not a trainer, but there are some very cool vegan YouTube channels that might help you get to where you wish to be. As to where to start to be vegan...well that depends on how healthy a vegan you want to be. You could eat Oreo cookies and French Fries every day and still call yourself vegan. I'm assuming since you want to train, bulk up, and get fit, that a healthy vegan diet is what you desire. So on that assumption, I will post some YT channels and some videos below.
There's lots of how-to videos on YT about this. I'd suggest starting with some vegan bodybuilding channels though. I just found these quickly. You can find more, if you like.
https://www.youtube.com/user/PatrikBaboumian
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCE-LXXVl3u9yJO3WRGTrEoA
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2ycqdFV0EmY5LmfM9mWkQg
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChRLXaBgHWgFBH_7LSMtodw
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWdjaK6ZvZNt5CCFJZ2nvFg
I'll just add that a whole food plant based vegan diet doesn't conflict with any fitness goals whatsoever. It is much more nutrient-dense than a diet heavy on meat and cheese. As long as you are getting enough calories it will help not hinder.
By stepping up your nutrition you will be on better footing for any physical challenge. I've become a MUCH stronger cyclist since going vegan, both in terms of power and endurance. My recovery time from tough rides is way faster too. Last fall I did a week long bikepacking trip...mountain biking while carrying all my food and camping equipment...and the day after finishing did a 50+ mile mountain bike race and absolutely crushed my expected finish time.
You're probably already aware that there are a ton of vegan bodybuilders, but if not: https://www.peta.org/living/food/vegan-bodybuilders/
By stepping up your nutrition you will be on better footing for any physical challenge. I've become a MUCH stronger cyclist since going vegan, both in terms of power and endurance. My recovery time from tough rides is way faster too. Last fall I did a week long bikepacking trip...mountain biking while carrying all my food and camping equipment...and the day after finishing did a 50+ mile mountain bike race and absolutely crushed my expected finish time.
You're probably already aware that there are a ton of vegan bodybuilders, but if not: https://www.peta.org/living/food/vegan-bodybuilders/
Lou
Forum Legend
If you want a step by step idiot proof method that is free I would go and sign up for the Vegan Kickstart.
http://www.pcrm.org/kickstartHome
Its free and if you start it on the first of the month there is a social media aspect
It costs money but I also really like the 30-day vegan challenge.
https://www.colleenpatrickgoudreau.com/30-day-vegan-challenge/
Or you can go to the library and check out a book. there are lots. when I became vegan I got The Idiot's Guide to a Vegan Lifestyle - and it was a big help. Today I would recommend Eat To Live.
http://www.pcrm.org/kickstartHome
Its free and if you start it on the first of the month there is a social media aspect
It costs money but I also really like the 30-day vegan challenge.
https://www.colleenpatrickgoudreau.com/30-day-vegan-challenge/
Or you can go to the library and check out a book. there are lots. when I became vegan I got The Idiot's Guide to a Vegan Lifestyle - and it was a big help. Today I would recommend Eat To Live.
Hello and welcome! Just to echo the others I also go to the gym so being vegan is no obstacle to that.
Ask any herbivore if they can grow muscles on a vegan diet. The question is ridicules.
Maybe ask this guy where he gets his protein.
Maybe ask this guy where he gets his protein.
Lou
Forum Legend
Mikhalea,
"Where do you get your protein?" is the most over-asked question for vegans. So I will ask in advance that you cut us some slack if we dismiss your question rudely.
After all, you deserve a break. It's the first time YOU asked it.
And even if its over-asked, it's still a valid question. Many transitioning vegans DO have trouble meeting protein requirements.
Anyway, YES, you can build muscles on a vegan diet. There are lots of examples of vegan athletes. You can google it. But here is a great list
http://www.greatveganathletes.com
One of the keys to getting enough protein to build muscles is just eating enough foods. Most of these athletes eat 3000 calories or more per day. Well, they don't have to worry about gaining weight. They are working out every day.
For those of us who are NOT working out 2 + hours a day, we have to make our calories count. And mostly that means eliminating or reducing what we call "empty calories". That is calories that have little or no protein or any other nutrients.
On the top of the Hit List For Empty Calories is oil
Just 1 tbsp of oil contains 100 calories - and nothing else.
Next is sugar.
One tbsp of sugar contains 47 calories. - and nothing else.
then there are highly refined and processed grains.
Like white bread. Actually, white bread isn't THAT bad - except that it's not whole wheat bread. which is so much better.
I've already given you some suggestions on where to go to learn more about transitioning to veganism. And I would just like to add that It Is Not As Hard As It Looks. It certainly isn't rocket science. But there are more ways to do it wrong than you can count. So taking some time every day for a month to learn how is a very good investment. You can try that online course I suggested above. Or just take a book out of the library. Or check out the "Food For Thought" podcast. You can get a good Vegucation while listening to really good vegan lessons while you ARE AT the gym.
Final note. Maybe the best article written in response to "Where do you get your protein" is this one.
https://michaelbluejay.com/veg/protein.html
"Where do you get your protein?" is the most over-asked question for vegans. So I will ask in advance that you cut us some slack if we dismiss your question rudely.
After all, you deserve a break. It's the first time YOU asked it.
And even if its over-asked, it's still a valid question. Many transitioning vegans DO have trouble meeting protein requirements.
Anyway, YES, you can build muscles on a vegan diet. There are lots of examples of vegan athletes. You can google it. But here is a great list
http://www.greatveganathletes.com
One of the keys to getting enough protein to build muscles is just eating enough foods. Most of these athletes eat 3000 calories or more per day. Well, they don't have to worry about gaining weight. They are working out every day.
For those of us who are NOT working out 2 + hours a day, we have to make our calories count. And mostly that means eliminating or reducing what we call "empty calories". That is calories that have little or no protein or any other nutrients.
On the top of the Hit List For Empty Calories is oil
Just 1 tbsp of oil contains 100 calories - and nothing else.
Next is sugar.
One tbsp of sugar contains 47 calories. - and nothing else.
then there are highly refined and processed grains.
Like white bread. Actually, white bread isn't THAT bad - except that it's not whole wheat bread. which is so much better.
I've already given you some suggestions on where to go to learn more about transitioning to veganism. And I would just like to add that It Is Not As Hard As It Looks. It certainly isn't rocket science. But there are more ways to do it wrong than you can count. So taking some time every day for a month to learn how is a very good investment. You can try that online course I suggested above. Or just take a book out of the library. Or check out the "Food For Thought" podcast. You can get a good Vegucation while listening to really good vegan lessons while you ARE AT the gym.
Final note. Maybe the best article written in response to "Where do you get your protein" is this one.
https://michaelbluejay.com/veg/protein.html
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