Olympians & the Breakfast of Champions
Whenever I inform someone of my lifestyle people always tend to scoff and then proceed to ask things such as "What do you eat?" and "Where do you get your protein from?" These misinformed questions need to be addressed and what better way than by showcasing some of the world's top athletes who are vegan!
Why Vegan?
For some, it's about the environment. For others it's about health. For most it's about animals. And for a large sum it's a lifestyle that encompasses a great compassion for oneself, the planet, and for all things living. Yes that includes human beings as well. A plant-based lifestyle actually benefits people in other countries who are starving because they sell their grain to cattle ranchers for cows to eat and people to eat cows. Vegans aren't just vegan because they don't want animals to die, but hey, it's a huge upside ;)
"I don't agree with the way the animals are mass-slaughtered"
- Kendrick Farris USA Olympic Weightlifter
"I have been vegan for a year and a half. That's really helped with everything: energy, health, the environment. I am one of those people who actually cares. It's what I chose to do."
- Morgan Mitchell Australia Olympic Sprinter
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Several other US Olympic athletes with a strong plant-based lifestyle include gold medalists Rebecca Soni and Serena Williams (pictured) as well as Canadian figure skater Meagan Duhamel (who won silver in the 2014 Sochi Olympics), and Alexey Voevoda. .. . Not to mention the many athletes and body builders that aren't Olympians but are vegan like NFL players David Carter and Griff Whalen and MMA fighter Nate Diaz.
Breakfast of Champions
Most vegan athletes don't look at what they can't eat. The world is full of wonderful food opportunities that provide the body with every element of nutrition that fuels muscles, brain activity and organs to better serve the bodies functions, energy levels and weight.
A book I highly recommend written by a professional Ironman Triathlete, Brendan Brazier, is called Thrive: The Vegan Nutrition Guide.
I really enjoy reading this book again and again. Reason number one is that I am super forgetful and I need to keep myself in check by verifying information in the book. The key changes I have seen in my life: more energy, restful sleep, zero hunger pangs, zero cravings, and mouthwatering foods! I am not an Olympian but my personal breakfast of champions recipe is below:
It is important to understand that old habits die hard and lifestyle changes may be difficult at first unless there is something you stand for. In my case, my habits ended immediately once I was better informed. I then made the changes I needed to make. Sugars can be addicting as much as cigarettes. However, once you break up with sugar, it breaks up with you and you can both move on. Your taste buds reset every few weeks and when they do you will no longer miss the food you were once eating. You'll be turned on to new varieties of everything. Trust me, I am not lying when I say that I used to eat a pint of ice cream everyday. I needed it. I was addicted. Now, I will never again in my life consume dairy and I never crave ice cream, even the vegan varieties. I actually make banana nice cream in my Vitamix and my body and tummy are well-rewarded with yummy goodness.
"Once you break up with sugar, it breaks up with you and you can both move on."
Alas! My Breakfast of champions recipe which is a slightly modified version of the Thrive Book's rendition.
CEREAL!
Huh?! What are probiotics? Click HERE for information by Vegan Nutrition Specialist and contributing author: Nikita Austen
The essential ingredients for health, vitality, and happiness (literally serotonin enhancing food!) These foods help the body's metabolism and allow the break down of fat and faster recovery for muscles.
The list:
Buckwheat: (Shh! NOT wheat!) 8 essential amino acids, quality protein, tryptophan, AKA: serotonin which aids in happiness and mental clarity. Vitamins B and E as well as calcium.
Dates: High in glucose which converts to energy and is alkaline forming.
Raw Almonds: High in fiber, B2 and antioxidants with a high level of digestibility.
Raw Pumpkin Seeds (shelled): Rich in iron which the body must replace as an athlete loses iron with sweat.
Hemp Seeds: A complete protein with all 10 essential amino acids.
Flaxseed: High levels of omega-3 and omega-6 which are essential because they body can't produce them. Helps reduce inflammation and metabolizes fat.
The steps:
1/4 cup Buckwheat (sprouted is optional)
Slice 1 ripe organic banana
Chop up 1 organic apple (or pear)
Cut up 3 to 4 strawberries
Chop up 2 Medjool dates
Chop up 4 to 5 raw almonds (soaked for a few hours)
1 tbsp ground flaxseed
1 tbsp hemp seed
1/2 tbsp raw pumpkin seed
sprinkle on cinnamon
1 tbsp of Agave or Maple Syrup (optional)
Add Carrageenan-free plant-based milk. I use Califia Almond Milk
Alternatively (as the above image shows) you can use a pear instead and ditch the strawberries, or even add blueberries. It's up too you how you'd like your fruit to adorn your bowl and grace your belly,.
Every time I eat this for breakfast I am super satisfied and I go to work as a gymnastics coach or as an actress where I am on my feet for 7 hours, demonstrating, spotting and bouncing around (or doing my own stunts) and I have so much energy! The nutrients help my body prepare to heal itself from all the movement! I am not 100% on what vegan Olympic athletes eat, but they're in great shape and they don't need animal protein or artificial processed foods to fuel them. Nature provided us with the essential ingredients for a peaceful, and healthy life that has the least impact on the environment and better yet, no animals have to live through a holocaust to get to our plates and ultimately cause us to be tired, and in the hospital for heart disease and cancer.
"Simply by changing our eating habits we can significantly reduce pollution, and in doing so improve our health and the health of generations to come." - Brendan Brazier
