The body needs protein for a variety of reasons, but one of the most important functions of protein in the body is that it is used in the synthesis and repair of muscle tissue. This makes it an important concern in any athlete’s diet.

When an athlete is considering the idea of a vegetarian or vegan diet, protein intake is going to be a chief concern. Up until that point, meat has more than likely been their primary source of protein and they are likely to worry about whether they will be able to get enough protein from a diet that lacks meat.

This is one of the places where managing the change to a vegetarian diet really matters. The athlete is going to need to be conscious of the need to add new sources of protein to their diet and take steps to make sure that they are getting as much as they need. Fortunately, there are good sources of protein that can be added to a vegetarian or vegan diet.

Depending on the level of vegetarianism that you employ, this will be easier for some than it will be for others. If you are still allowing some animal products, then things like eggs and yogurt can make good sources of protein.

If you are cutting all animal products from your diet, then you may want to look to things like tofu, beans and lentils, nuts, mushrooms, and tempeh. There are also a number of vegetables that have protein in them including spinach, kale, broccoli, peas, baby zucchini, artichokes, collard greens, mustard greens, beet greens, and more. Some fruits like guava, blackberries, raspberries, kiwi, bananas, star fruit, apricots, avocados, and many others have some protein in them.