The Power of Plants: Superfoods You Should Not Miss


All fruits, veggies, herbs, seeds, and nuts deserve a place in our diet, but the truth is: some are simply better than others. You probably already have many of them in your kitchen – from the famous blueberries, kale, and chia seeds to the all-powerful turmeric. There’s even an entire vegan cookbook (probably my favorite) to inspire you to use these extraordinary ingredients aka superfoods. 

However,  there are some lesser known ones which have been around for ages and hold tremendous power when it comes to nutrition and medicine. So I’ve put together a list of the best superfoods that haven’t risen to fame, but definitely should. And don’t worry – although exotic, they can be found online or in some specialty stores in various forms.

Indian gooseberry

You’ve probably heard all about the antioxidant-rich acai. Well, here is something that has over twice the antioxidants! The fruit of the Indian gooseberry tree has been used for thousands of years in Ayurvedic medicine and is, in fact, still used today. Aside from its amazing antioxidant potency and other beneficial properties, it’s also known to help treat high cholesterol, diabetes, upset stomach, joint pain, osteoarthritis, to reduce pain and swelling caused by inflammation, etc.

The plant is not commercially cultivated in most parts of the world, but thankfully, it’s available online and in Indian grocery stores in powder form – just look for Amla powder. You can sprinkle the powder onto your meals and smoothies. 

Sorghum 

Sorghum is an ancient grain originating from Africa, and like most grains, it can be prepared in numerous ways – cooked, ground into flour, malted, or even to make sorghum popcorn. But what makes it better is that it is gluten-free, allergies to it are rare, and its nutritional benefits are pretty impressive. For one, it’s an excellent source of protein – it has similar protein content per calorie as quinoa, but it’s cheaper. 

It’s rich in nutrients like most grains, but its ORAC value – which is the measure of antioxidant content per 100g – is quite impressive, especially in comparison to other grains. White sorghum has an ORAC value of 2200, the red variety has 14000 and black is the highest, with a value of 21000. For measure, kale has an ORAC value of 1770 and blueberries have 4669. 

Tulsi

This herb, also known as Holy Basil (but not your regular basil, mind you) is another marvel and mystery of Ayurvedic medicine. It’s considered a sacred plant in the Hindu religion and the word Tulsi means “the incomparable one”. That’s because it has numerous benefits and medicinal powers, from protecting against diabetes and cancer to being used to treat pink eye due to its anti-inflammatory properties. But what’s making holy basil incredibly valuable in the modern day and getting it more attention from the scientific community are its adaptogenic properties.

Adaptogens are metabolic regulators which increase the body’s ability to (as the moniker suggests) adapt to physical and emotional stressors from the environment. Unsurprisingly, adaptogens are getting a lot of buzz lately, as we search for natural ways to cope with stress. Thus, natural adaptogens are used in supplements to balance hormones by reducing cortisol levels and promote a healthy stress response. Tulsi is an important ingredient in most of these supplements, and it can also be used in tea. 

Bacopa monnieri

Also going by the name of Brahmi, this creeping herb is another traditional adaptogen. The herb is rich in bacosides, which are chemical compounds that can repair damaged neurons and improve nerve impulse transmission, as some studies show. Thus, it is considered one of the top foods for boosting mental health and its long-term consumption is linked to improving memory, cognitive function, and mood.

But wait, there’s more: it’s also been shown to boost respiratory and digestive health, which might come as no surprise when you consider the connection between the gut flora and mental health. 

Natto

This fermented soybean food is prominent in the Japanese diet, but it has yet to gain popularity in Western households. So far, you might have encountered it in vegan sushi when dining out. Natto is very valuable for its high content of pyrazine, a compound which can prevent blood clots since it acts as a natural blood thinner. Thus, it’s an important dietary addition for anyone at risk of developing heart disease. It’s also rich in vitamin K (for maintaining bone density) and selenium, a powerful antioxidant that helps prevent cancer. However, be prepared: natto has a very pungent smell and a strange, cheese-like taste that takes getting used to. That’s why a wide number of people prefer to consume it in capsule form, but it is important to consult a physician first, especially if you are taking anticoagulants or other herbs that help thin the blood. 

So, there you have it – under-the-radar plants and herbs holding impressive power. Now, as it goes with nutrition, nobody can guarantee you that you’ll reap all the benefits because there are numerous other lifestyle factors to consider. There are, however, various studies that point to the benefits of these plants, some of which I have included in this article, and the fact that some have been used in traditional Eastern medicine definitely does hold value. At the end of the day, when you’re choosing which to incorporate into your diet – and how – it’s good to do your own research to get all the details and suggestions. Nutrition can help us reach deeper levels of wellbeing, and you might just be surprised to what extent it goes. 

 

 

The Veg Effect

The-Veg-Effect-Documentary

My friend and fellow fitness enthusiast Stic, of the hip hop duo Dead Prez, was recently featured in a documentary called “The Veg Effect”.

To watch this series visit https://vegeffect.com

This documentary follows 5 different individuals who have adopted, on various levels, a vegetarian diet and lifestyle.

On set with Stic during filming for The Veg Effect!

Stic is 100% veg and recently challenged himself to gain 20 lbs. of lean muscle on a whole food, plant-based diet, void of supplements, pills and powders – just straight up food! He did his strength training with me and his wife, and holistic nutritionist, Afya put together his nutrition plan and was a complete wizard in the kitchen. Because of this, and his dedication to the plan, he accomplished the 20 lb. gain in 2.5 months, one and a half months faster than his goal!

This eventually became our book, Eat Plants, Lift Iron which you can learn more about by clicking here!

Our story was a small part of he and his family’s feature in the Veg Effect documentary, and it was a huge honor to be invited to be part of it!

Doing some heavy bag work with Stic during filming for The Veg Effect!

Click here to check out Stic and the rest of the Veg Effect features!

About the Veg Effect from vegeffect.com:

“This isn’t some scare-you-into-a-rage film about the food industry. Or about regretting yesterday.

This is a documentary series about how we can change the world by answering one simple question: What are we going to eat today?

Directed by Alison Klayman (Ai WeiWei: Never Sorry) for MorningStar Farms®, the series follows 5 real stories, from real people with very different lives, each choosing to make a difference with their own personal way to veg.”

The documentary series is currently available on: vimeo, YouTube, dailymotion, amazon, iTunes, and EatingWell.
 

With my friend Stic after filming for The Veg Effect!

 
Stay Strong AND Healthy and find YOUR #waytoveg!
 
-Scott

Introduction to Qigong Part 2: Applications and Styles.

qigong

Now that we understand what qigong and qi actually are (if you have not read part one, do so HERE), we can begin to explore the various applications and styles of qigong.

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There are three primary reasons people practise qigong; medical, health, and to enhance martial arts training.

Medical qigong is one of the four main branches of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) with the focus on the practitioner helping their patient to correct imbalances and energy blockages through regulation of their qi. This enables the body to strengthen and regulate the internal organs, the nervous system and the immune system, relieve pain, regulate hormones, and strengthen and release deep-seated emotions and stress. (Click here for more on medical qigong.)

Martial qigong was most likely developed after the monks of the Shaolin Temple began practising the early forms of qigong attributed to Bodhidharma (Da Mo), the Yi Jin Jing (Muscle Tendon Changing Classic) and Xi Sui Jing (Marrow Cleansing Classic), were developed. Through the practise of these qigong forms the monks found that not only could they improve their health, they could increase the power of their martial art techniques. Since the origination of these two early qigong forms, many martial arts styles have developed their own qigong sets and many martial styles have been developed on qigong theory. (Click here for more on medical and martial qigong.)

Using qigong as a form of exercise for health and longevity is probably the most popular of the applications of qigong. The coupling of slow movements matched to natural breathing patterns allows for the practitioner to become totally engaged in the present moment which makes qigong a sort of moving meditation. This allows qigong to become an excellent form of holistic exercise developing the mind, body, and spirit.

There are thousands of styles of qigong exercise practised worldwide. Some of the styles I have been exposed to or practised are:

  • Zhan Zhuang Qigong
  • Little Nine Heaven Qigong Form
  • Chi Lel Qigong
  • Lamas Qigong
  • Dayan (Wild Goose) Qigong
  • Tai Chi Qigong 13 Form
  • Tai Chi Qigong Shibashi 18 Form
  • Baduanjin (Eight Pieces of Brocade)
  • Yi Jin Jing (Muscle Tendon Changing Classic)
  • Xi Sui Jing (Marrow Cleansing Classic)
  • Yi Jin Xi Sui Jing (Muscle Tendon Changing / Marrow Cleansing Classic)
  • Tai Gong By The Sea
  • Yin Yang Tai Gong

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My Shifu, Master Shi Deru, teaching his Tai Gong form to his students of the Shaolin Institute at our annual Qi Retreat in 2012. (Photo by Tom Kreutzer)

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The author practicing standing meditation. (Photo by Ben Kretz)

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Shifu Shi Deru connecting with Universal qi! (Photo by Tom Kreutzer)

What is the right style for you? Choose what application you are most attracted to. If you are interested in martial arts or are currently practising a martial art and want to add qigong, find a martial arts teacher who teaches qigong. The Yi Jin Jing is a great addition to martial arts practice. If your interest is in medical qigong due to a chronic illness or disease, you will need to find a specialist in Traditional Chinese Medicine to help you. If you are strictly interested in improving your health, a simple qigong form such as the Baduanjin would be a good choice. Do some research and ask around. Try a few different teachers until you find one that resonates well with you.

Regardless of the style of qigong you select to practise, all qigong styles share three common attributes:

  1. Regulation of the posture of relaxation.
  2. Regulation of the mind.
  3. Regulation of the breathing.

Personally, to compliment my Yang and Chen style Taiji practice, I have to come to favor the Yi Jin Jing and Xi Sui Jing forms, as well as the Yi Jin Xi Sui Jing. I also find a lot of benefit in the Baduanjin and have learned a couple different ways to practise that form as well. I am very fortunate to have found a teacher of authentic Shaolin martial arts to learn from. My teacher (or Shifu), Shi Deru, is a 31st generation master from the Shaolin Temple in China and was a direct disciple of the last real spiritual Abbot of the temple, grandmaster Shi Suxi.

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The author practicing walking qigong in his favorite environment! (Photo by Tom Kreutzer)

I think it is more important to find a form, learn to perform it well, and practise it consistently then to learn many different forms that you never master nor practise with any regularity.

“I fear not the man who has practiced 10,000 kicks once, but I fear the man who has practiced one kick 10,000 times.” – Bruce Lee

In part 3 of this blog series we will look at how to set up our qigong practice as well as other methods that enhance qigong.

In Health,

Scott

Spring into Detox Salad

spring-detox-salad

Spring into Detox Salad is CRUNCHY, SWEET and SAVORY, and is the perfect easy vegan recipe to make when your body is craving nutrients, and you need a nice and hearty salad to fill you up!

I have read that cabbage has many health benefits since it is packed with vitamins, minerals and other nutrients; cabbage is said to be helpful with weight loss, skin care / premature aging, purifying the blood, removing toxins, and the list goes on and on and on… with all that being said, I’ll have more cabbage… PRONTO! The veggies in this healthful, satisfying salad are tossed in a delicious creamy peanut sauce with a ton of ginger which is soothing to the stomach, reduces inflammation in the body, and may even help relieve muscle soreness. This special dish is topped off with sesame seeds, a great source of a variety of minerals, vitamins, and fiber. Colorful, nutrient rich, and easy to make… give this delightful recipe a try to welcome in the spring time!spring detox salad

Spring Into Detox Salad

The Veggies:

  • 1 heaping cup chopped red cabbage
  • 1 heaping cup chopped green cabbage
  • 1 heaping cup chopped kale
  • 3-4 sliced radishes
  • 2-3 ribs of celery, diced

The Dressing:

  • A hearty 2-3 inch chunk of ginger, minced
  • 2-3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 3 tablespoons fresh peanut butter
  • 1 tablespoon pure maple syrup
  • 2 tablespoons sesame seed oil
  • 2 tablespoons tamari
  • 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
  • Toasted sesame seeds (topping)

Blend together all of the ingredients for the dressing. Toss the veggies in the dressing and top with toasted sesame seeds. Eat it all up and reap the benefits!

Hope you love it as much as I do!

-Danielle

Introduction to Qigong Part 1: What is Qigong?

qigong

While I truly love lifting weights and physical training, I believe it is crucial to adopt and internal practice that focuses on health and restoration as well.

I am going to present a series of blogs over the next few weeks or months about the practice of qigong. I believe in a holistic approach to health and fitness and qigong, along with meditation and my study of the internal martial art Taijiquan, has become a staple in my practice.

In this first post I want to introduce you to qigong and provide some background on the practice.

PictureQigong (pronounced ‘chee gong’) is a form of exercise that is practiced by millions of people worldwide.

What is qi? Before we define qigong we need to define qi. Qi (sometimes spelled chi), according to Chinese philosophy, is the circulating life energy thought to be inherent in all things. Qigong can literally be translated to “energy work”.

It originated over 4,000 years ago in China with it’s roots in the Chinese meditative practice of xing qi (circulating qi) and the gymnastic breathing exercise of tao yin (guiding and pulling).

Many recent studies have shown qigong to improve the quality of life in cancer patients, fight depression, improve balance, improve blood pressure, and improve overall health. Despite these studies many scientists claim it is still too early to make any definitive claims due to the lack of larger, more well-designed studies to substantiate these claims.

While there may not be enough evidence to convince many modern scientists, much of the research is substantiating what many highly qualified qigong teachers and practitioners have already known and discovered through their own practice; that qigong has a very positive effect on health.

At the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston a team of scientists and researchers studied 96 women undergoing radiation treatment for breast cancer. They found a significant reduction in depression in women who took 5 weekly classes of qigong compared with the control group that didn’t take any classes. Among those who were depressed at the start of the trial, fatigue was lessened and overall quality of life improved. (Click here to read more about this study.)

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Many people often confuse the practice of Taijiquan (or Tai Chi Chuan) with qigong. Taiji is an internal form of Kung Fu which incorporates mind-body principles into a martial art and exercise for health. In order for a practitioner to get the most out of their study of Taiji they need to have a very good understanding of qigong and know how to apply qigong principles to their martial art practice.

I sometimes think that when people pursue Taijiquan strictly for health benefits, what they are really after is qigong. Taiji takes many years of study and practice with a qualified teacher as the forms can be quite intricate and challenging to learn. There have been some simplified forms created to make Taiji practice more accessible, but to get the most out of Taiji it is best to approach it both as a martial art and health practice after learning the fundamentals of qigong.

On the other hand qigong can be very easy to learn and the student will begin to see the benefits much more quickly. If your goal is strictly health related without any interest in the martial arts, qigong will provide everything you need.

I hope you have enjoyed this introduction to qigong and in part two of this series we will look at the various applications and styles of the art.

 
Stay Strong AND Healthy!
 
Scott

Tabouli On Fleek

tabouli on fleek

Sometimes it works to stick with tradition, but sometimes its more fun to break the rules!

This easy vegan recipe was inspired when I wanted to make tabouli for lunch, but didn’t have any cracked wheat. I improvised and used quinoa, and also decided to add a few other ingredients that you won’t find in traditional tabouli. My experimentation was a success! Eating a vegan diet is not a rigid science, rather there are so many foods that can be added and/or substituted to get what you want out of your meals. This dish is packed with plant-based protein and many other essential nutrients found in raw parsley, kale, spinach and mint. This vegan dish is also gluten free because I used quinoa instead of cracked wheat. Tabouli On Fleek can be made ahead of time for a quick lunch on-the-go, or paired with falafel and hummus to make a delicious Mediterranean Buddha bowl! You can check out Minimalist Baker for the collard greens falafel recipe that I used to go with my tabouli, and I also whipped up some roasted red pepper hummus. Go on wit yo bad self and break some (recipe) rules!tabouli on fleek

Tabouli On Fleek

Ingredients

  • 1 1/3 cups cooked quinoa
  • 1  cup finely chopped baby kale
  • 1/2 cup finely chopped baby spinach
  • 3 bunches on flat leaf parsley finely chopped
  • One small recipe sized pack of mint, finely chopped (*In the summer when mint is abundant, I will use a lot more chopped mint!)
  • 1/2 medium sized red onion finely diced
  • 1 tsp garlic powder (You could totally mince a few garlic cloves, if you prefer!)
  • Juice of one lemon
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Add all of the ingredients to a bowl and  mix together!

Enjoy!

Danielle

 

 

Blend Your Breakfast for Fast and Simple Nutrition!

Smoothie-vegan-breakfast

Simple solution for starting your day off with a blast of nutrition!

If you are like me and start your day long before the sun comes up chances are that you hit the snooze alarm 3 or 12 times then never have enough time to get everything done before heading out the door and dealing with morning traffic on the way to work.

With this type of schedule the most important meal of the day often becomes the most skipped meal of the day. One of my favorite ways to get fast, and more importantly healthy, meal in on the run is to make a smoothie for breakfast. These take less than 10 minutes to make.

You can even pre-stage the ingredients the night before by storing all the fruit, seeds, and greens you plan to blend in a container in the refrigerator so that all you ha4907987ve to do is dump it in your blender, add your choice of liquid base and blend!

In addition to being easy and quick to make, green smoothies are incredibly healthy and a great way to get a ton of fruits and vegetables in your diet.

One of my favorite recipes that will give you 2 servings of fruits, 2-4 servings of greens and boost of superfoods is my typical go-to early morning breakfast.

In a high-powered blender (I use a Vitamix) combine the following:

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  • 2 cups of non-dairy milk (I like almond or cashew) or water
  • 1 cup of strawberries
  • 1 banana
  • 2-4 cups of leafy greens (I like kale, spinach, collard greens, and dandelion greens — if you are new to green smoothies use equal amounts of fruits and greens until you can handle the bitterness of the greens! Then go wild with them, I usually use 3-5 cups of greens.)
  • 1-2 tbsp. of peanut or almond butter
  • 1 tbsp. of chia seeds
  • 1 tbsp. of hemp seeds
  • 1-2 tbsp. of ground flax seeds / flax meal
  • Blend for 30-60 seconds and enjoy. If you’re in a hurry throw it in a blender bottle and go!
  • Extra large Beavis and Butthead mug is optional!

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Stay Strong AND Healthy!

Scott

A Quick, Easy Vegan Recipe For Pre-Training Calories

Pre-Workout-Calories

Fueling your body with healthy, nutrient dense, plant-based calories before an intense training session helps me get the most out of my workout…

One thing I am not however, is a gourmet chef! I don’t spend all day in the kitchen experimenting with food. I like things quick and easy. However, one cannot live on peanut butter and jelly sandwiches alone. Believe me, I’ve tried!

I need nutrient and calorie dense meals to fuel my heavy training sessions, otherwise I’ll end up eating Oreos all day.

Next time you need a calorie dense, nutrient packed meal try this recipe I got from my friend, registered dietitian, Matt Ruscigno.

1. Mash 3 bananas

2. Stir in 2 tablespoons of peanut butter

3. Add one medium diced apple

Mix it all together and go!

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Don’t let looks fool you, it tastes great!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nutrition Information

Calories: 598

Fat: 17.5 grams

Carbohydrates: 112 grams

Fiber: 15.5 grams

Protein: 12.5 grams

I hope you enjoy this simple and tasty recipe and be sure to let me know after you’ve tried it!

Stay Strong AND Healthy!

-Scott

 

Essential Fats for a Healthy Vegan Diet Plan

omega-fatty-acids

We hear conflicting information about “good fats,” “bad fats,” and the amount of fat we should consume as part of a healthy diet all the time… so what are the facts?

Believe it or not, our bodies can synthesize almost all of the fat it needs. Saturated, monounsaturated, and trans fat (including cholesterol) do not need to be consumed through the diet. Omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids are the only two which the body cannot synthesize and therefore they are considered “essential fats”. This article will focus on the facts on essential fats so you can make food choices that will meet your body’s essential fat needs.

The Omega-6 that needs to be obtained from the diet is called Linoleic acid (LA). Technically, only one kind of omega-3 needs to be obtained through our diet: Alpha-lenolenic acid (ALA). ALA has the ability to produce other omega-3 fatty acids in the body such as eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). However, this conversion of ALA to EPA and DHA within our bodies is relatively limited, and it is therefore often recommended that EPA and DHA be consumed through the diet as well, either through food sources or supplements. For information on supplementation click HERE

Infographic-Omega-3

How much omega-3 and omega-6 do we need to consume in the diet?

ALA (omega-3) and LA (omega-6) compete for metabolism, which means too much of either one will reduce the metabolism of the other. This is one of the reasons a recommended ratio of 1 (or about 2:1) for omega-6 to omega-3 was developed (1). Unfortunately most Americans consume excessive amounts of omega-6 and are deficient in omega-3, with an average ratio of 16:1!

Both omega-3 and omega-6 play essential roles in brain function, normal growth and development. The high ratio of omega-6 to omega-3, however, promotes the pathogenesis of many diseases, including cardiovascular disease, cancer, and inflammatory and autoimmune diseases (3). Omega-3 (a low omega-6/omega-3 ratio), on the other hand, has been shown to prevent against these major diseases and also help control lupus, eczema, and rheumatoid arthritis (2).

The high ratio of omega-6 can be attributed to grain fed animals (including the meat, dairy, and eggs that come from them), mayo-based foods, and the increased vegetable oil consumption: safflower, sunflower, corn, and soybean oils, coming from processed foods and cooking methods.

Remember, the idea is that both of these fatty acids are essential for proper health and play a  role in the prevention of many diseases. The key is balance between the two. It’s very easy to consume omega-6 in our diet, and a bit tricker to get those omega-3’s. Here are the top plant sources of omega-3 (which also have low ratio of omega6/3):

  • Flax seeds*
  • Hemp seeds*
  • Chia seeds
  • Algae/seaweed
  • Beans, leafy greens, squash-help meet the RDA (4)
  • Supplements for ALA, DHA, or EPA

*Including their oils.

And here is a chart showing the omega 6 and omega 3 content of common oils (5):

efacontentoils

  1. https://www.eufic.org/article/en/artid/The-importance-of-omega-3-and-omega-6-fatty-acids/
  2. https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/omega-3-fats/
  3. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12442909
  4. https://plenteousveg.com/vegan-sources-omega-3/
  5. https://chriskresser.com/how-too-much-omega-6-and-not-enough-omega-3-is-making-us-sick/

Please let me know if you have any comments or questions!

Fine! I’ll tell you where I get my protein from!

Popeye-for-Protein

The “How do you get your protein?” question is easily the most frequently asked question I get asked when someone finds out I’m a vegan. Protein_Gorilla

We’ve all heard it. Immediately everyone becomes a protein expert. Sometimes I want to answer them the way Batman answers Robin…

batmanprotein

 

Protein is so overrated it’s not even funny. Research shows that a sedentary individual needs about 0.8 grams per kg of bodyweight per day. Research further shows that hard strength training athletes need around 1 – 1.5 grams per kg of bodyweight per day. For me, weighing around 185-190 lbs (84-86 kgs) this is 84 – 129 grams per day. This is very easy to get from a whole food, plant-based diet.

Just out of curiosity I tracked my nutrients for a period of about 4 days and found that on days I did not use any supplemental protein powder I was getting around 90-100 grams of protein, and on days I did use a protein drink (generally I have one a day after my strength training sessions) I was getting an extra 20-30 grams for a total of 110-130 grams of protein per day, right in-line with the recommended 1 – 1.5 grams per kg of bodyweight.

Personally I can’t stand tracking macros, and according to my friend Matt Ruscigno, a registered dietitian and ethical vegan, if you are eating a wide variety of whole foods and consuming enough calories to sustain your activity level you will get enough protein.

Now, consider the average American’s high protein, high fat, high processed carbohydrate diet – do you honestly think anyone is walking around in danger of a protein deficiency?

My Favorite Sources of Plant-Based Protein:

1. Beans and legumes – not only are they loaded with protein and other beneficial phytonutrients they are a great source of fiber.

2. Nuts and nut butters – I’m sorry, but if you don’t like a good ol’ fashioned PB & J sandwich you and I cannot be friends.

3. Tofu and tempeh – a perfect addition to stir-frys and soups, or you can be like my good friend, animal rights activist, and Team Plantbuilt powerlifter Mike Wolf and just eat a block of tofu on two slices of bread and call it a sandwich. The guy benches well over 300 lbs so I’m not going to argue with him.

4. Beast Burgers and other Beyond Meat products – I was fortunate enough to be asked to be a member of Beyond Meat’s Pro-Team so I’ve gotten my fair share of their stuff, and I honestly have to say that Beast Burgers are the BEST plant-based burger I’ve ever eaten. Try them for yourself and feed YOUR beast! All of their products are amazing!

5. Plant-based protein powders – don’t rely on powder as your main source of protein. Eat food first and foremost. However a good plant-based protein powder can make it easier to ensure you are getting all of your essential amino acids and hitting your daily protein requirements. Again, if you are eating enough calories from whole foods to sustain your activity you don’t need to supplement. I do believe that a protein drink taken post training is a great idea though, since liquid digest more quickly than solid food. I do think it is a good idea to combine your protein powder with a good carbohydrate source, some studies have shown that 1g of protein to 2-4g of carbohydrates is optimal for muscle recovery and glycogen replenishment post-training. Some of my favorite protein powders are Plantfusion, Vega, Health Force / Warrior Force, Garden of Life Raw, and I recently tried Sprouts Farmers Market brand vegan protein blend.

Hopefully this gives you some good ideas of plant-based protein sources the next time your favorite omnivore is assaulting you with the protein questions and comments, or you can just do what Batman did to Robin and bitch-slap them.
Stay Strong AND Healthy!

-Scott