One inquisitive omnivore’s journey towards healthier and more compassionate eating…
(Click here for why I started)
(CELEBRITIES/VEGETARIAN/VEGAN) Watching the Olympic athletes compete in Sochi does two things to me: motivate and make me feel like a complete slug.
Who wouldn’t want figure skaters Gracie Gold and Ashley Wagner’s strong, lean legs or the stamina of snowboarders Jamie Anderson and Hannah Teter? And have you seen five-time Olympic medalist Bode Miller’s abs?!

I know they work hard for it, and let’s face it, keeping fit is their job. But it doesn’t mean we can’t pick-up a few tips from them a long the way.

One thing that did surprise me is that many Olympians are either vegan, vegetarian or like me—trying to eat a more plant-based diet.
Hannah Teter became a vegetarian about five years ago and credits her meat-free diet for giving her the renewed strength she needed to become an Olympic medal-winning athlete.
Bode Miller, one of the greatest American alpine skiers of all time, was raised as a vegetarian on an organic farm in New Hampshire, and gold medal winner, Jamie Anderson describes herself as “mostly vegetarian.”
Contrary to popular belief, it is possible to succeed in high-intensity activities like the Olympics and still be a vegetarian or vegan. Just make sure to get enough iron, vitamin B12, and protein.
Some great meat-free protein sources:
- White beans (19g/cup)
- Quinoa (11g/cup)
- Tempeh & Seitan (24g/4 oz)
- Hemp seeds (16g/3 tbsp)
- Organic Peanut Butter (7g/2tbsp)
- Greek yogurt (15 – 20g/6 oz) — which also includes probiotics that help boost your immune system to stay strong!

Other Olympian-worthy foods:
- Oats — they’re digested and absorbed slowly into your body, so they keep your muscles fueled over a longer period of time and help boost endurance.
- Bananas — are loaded with potassium which helps to prevent muscle cramping. The fast-acting carb is especially good to eat after a workout because they help restore your body’s glycogen levels which helps rebuild damaged muscles.
- Tart Cherries — they have a natural pain relieving substance and help reduce your loss of strength after a strenuous workout. Just mix them with some soy nuts (34g protein/1/2 cup) or almonds (10g protein/1/2 cup) for a delicious protein and carb post-workout snack.
- Quinoa — a high protein (11g/cup) alternative to rice or pasta. The supergrain is also packed with fiber, iron and calcium, necessary for proper muscle contraction.
Gracie Gold told NBC Olympics that her latest concoction is a chickpea, beets, and quinoa burger. Sounds delicious and like the perfect pre-workout meal to me, so I decided to test it out for myself.
I’ll have the recipe for you in next week’s blog post. In the meantime, enjoy your Olympian-worthy diet and GO USA!
— Lisa Singer, exclusive to Global Animal
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