Athletes use their bodies in ways that are different from that of the average person. The stress of athletic competition and training can put some serious wear on the body, and athletes can burn through calories at rates that far exceed most people. For these reasons, athletes need to take special care with their dietary choices and ensure that their bodies get enough fuel to power them through the activity and the right nutrition to ensure that their body stays healthy and functionally fit.

The increased energy needs of an athlete means that they will need more calories. This means that you need proteins, carbohydrates, and fats. Carbohydrates are important because they not only provide the energy to keep you going, but they also help to regulate blood sugar and prevent muscle fatigue. Having some fat in the diet is important for the long-term energy that many athletes need. When your carbs start to run low, it is the fat that kicks in and keeps you going.

Then you have to consider the nutritional needs of your body’s systems and structures. Your bones, muscles, and organs all need certain nutrients to stay healthy and recover from intense activity. As an athlete, you are often going to need more of these nutrients to ensure that your body is fit and ready to perform.

For athletes, the idea of switching to a vegetarian or vegan diet causes some concerns in regard to the possibility of lacking in certain nutrients. That said, the issue is not with whether the diet is plant-based or not, it has to do with the specific foods that the individual athlete selects. When an athlete makes the switch with nutrition in mind, the diet can help them to meet all of these needs with no problems.