Some athletes have begun embracing a plant-based diet, particularly vegan, with the hopes of obtaining a competitive advantage over other athletes. Vegans are like vegetarians—neither eat meat; however, vegans also refrain from eating animal products as well, like eggs and milk. There is currently a debate amongst professionals in the health and exercise science community as to whether adopting a plant-based diet can actually provide athletes with a competitive edge. Specifically, professionals tend to disagree the most as to whether a plant-based diet is better for one’s post-workout recovery, also referred to as metabolic recovery. On one hand, David C. Nieman, a health and exercise science professor who also studies athletic recovery at Appalachian State University, states that plant protein will not help you recover any differently than whey (dairy) protein. On the other hand, Barbara Lewin, a sports nutritionist who works with professional and Olympic athletes, argues that plant-based foods possess high levels of antioxidants that can help reduce inflammation, which means less time spent recovering.
