2 Weeks Vegan Diet = 5000 Meter Swim

I felt a little like our good friend Rich Roll this morning while cranking out a 5,000 meter swim.  But then I had to come back to reality when I remember that the Ultraman swim is double that at 10,000 meters. Nonetheless, I had my green smoothie (green = fruit and veggie blend) in a sports bottle on the deck and felt like I could keep going and going.  I only stopped because I had to go to work.

Vegans skip a few more items than vegetarians - no animal products whatsoever, including dairy and eggs.  I've been eating vegan for two weeks and haven't noticed any problems.  If anything, I'm more healthy and energetic because I eat more of the stuff that's really good for you - fruits, veggies, and nuts.

I wouldn't classify myself as a vegan per se.  I'm more of a paleo diet guy without the meat part. I'm a little apprehensive of taking a stand on this position because being for something puts you against everything else.  I don't mind if you eat meat and I don't have much interest in arguing with people about it.  I'd have to eat vegan for more than two weeks to identify myself with it strongly!

Back to performance.  Two weeks of veganism is definitely enough time to see if it has an impact on performance.  Yep, no problems.  In fact, I'm learning some interesting tools to pass on to you guys:

• Protein is built from amino acids.  Your body assembles them as needed from a collective "pool".  Non-meat items have all the amino acids that you need and your body puts them in the pool to be used when needed.  Where this pool is actually located and how much chlorine is in it, I still don't know. Maybe somebody can fill us in with some comments below.
• Nuts and healthy oils provide a huge amount of workout punch.  There's twice the ATP (energy) in these guys (fats) than in straight carbs, but it takes a few weeks of eating them for your body to start using them as a serious energy source instead of preferring carbs.
• Nuts taste like meat and cheese after a while.  Meat and dairy craving problem solved.
• Just when you think you know what healthy is, you discover a whole next level, like this guy.  At some point you have to take a mix of ideas from all levels and formulate what works best for you.

It helps me to not avoid certain foods as much as to look for really healthy ones.  I go as much raw fruit and veggies as possible, then fill in the blank spots as needed.  

I have to say, I feel great.  I've carried around an extra 20 lbs. for many years and it's melting away.  Eating a truly "clean" and healthy diet eliminates one more mystery variable from the triathlon success formula.  If you can change your bad habits to good and get lean, your workouts, races, self image, and much more clean up and become more effective.  It's nice!

Comments

[Devin Brown]

I'm into week 5 of 100% plant-based diet now (I prefer not to call it veganism because I only care about the nutritional aspect). I also feel great. I have not given much thought to cravings or what I've given up. I'm fortunate in that I'll eat just about anything that's in front of me. I tell myself that if I really want a big steak, I'll eat a big steak. It just hasn't been an issue.

I have heard that while many leafy greens have tons of iron, plant-based iron does not absorb as effectively as meat-based iron. Whether this is true or not, I do not know, but as much as I eat, there's no problem.

I am taking this journey for performance, not for weight loss, so portion control is not a factor for me. I do feel like I have a deep well of energy. I noticed it in particular on last night's long run. Also, as a result of my increased hours in zone 2 as well as this diet, my body is more effectively fueling itself on fat as opposed to carbs and that has caused me to lose considerable body fat.

I plan to stick this out until Easter at the minimum--maybe all the way until Lone Star or longer. This has been a very positive change for me so far.

Keep us posted, Brett. It's fun to be on the same experiment with you.

[Dan]

Hey, good for you all. I have been eating as a vegan since October and feel great. I did have some problems when my coach began to ramp up the intensity a few weeks ago. I really had to re-evaluate my diet and start packing on the calories.

My coach is prescribing 2500 calories at a minimum and sometimes it's a struggle to get there. It's definitely a learning process but, I really dig the results. My weight has dropped and stabilized. I feel pretty good and my performance is improving steadily.

It is a TOUGH lifestyle though. MY boss and co-workers are very supportive but, it still takes a lot of planning. My former coach, who has been a vegan for years, dedicates Sunday each week to prepare for he and his family for the week. Yike!

Oh well, good luck! I'll let you know how my 2 IM's this season go on a completely plant based diet.
-Dan