Plant-based Diet Athletes

The Challenges of Meeting Protein and Leucine Requirements with a Plant-based Diet

Key Points

  • Challenges: inadequate energy, mineral/vitamin deficiency (calcium, iron, zinc, Vitamin D, creatine)
  • Consume enough protein, especially leucine, an amino acid
  • 2-3g leucine post-match and each meal
  • Plant-based protein supplements require 40g of protein instead of 30g from animal-based protein supplement to get adequate leucine