9 / 23
Page 87
conferenceseries
.com
Volume 7, Issue 7 (Suppl)
J Obes Weight Loss Ther, an open access journal
ISSN:2165-7904
Obesity & Fitness Expo 2017
November 13-15, 2017
November 13-15, 2017 | Atlanta, USA
17
th
World Fitness Expo
16
th
International Conference and Exhibition on
Obesity & Weight Management
&
Plant based diets and performance
Michael Dahlinghaus
St. Ambrose University, USA
V
egan or plant based diets have continued to rise in recent years among the general public and fitness community. However
little is known or discussed on how this can affect physical fitness. Nutritional organizations worldwide have supported the
adoption of a vegan diet to improve health. However, most of these groups place special emphasis ensuring the diet is well-planned
in order to avoid potential nutrient deficiencies. Joint statements by nutritional and sports medicine organizations have concluded
that physically active individuals have special nutritional needs and considerations when compared to a sedentary population. While
specific research on a vegan diet’s (not vegetarian) impact on performance is limited, there is a great deal that does point to the
potential for a well-planned vegan diet to improve physical fitness. However there could be negative performance and or health
consequences by ignoring nutritional recommendation for specific activities. The purpose of this presentation is to highlight the
health and performance benefits of adopting a plant based diet and present considerations for physically active individuals to avoid
possible pitfalls in their fitness training. Individuals following a plant based diet tend to be lower in total calories, fat, protein (also
lower in essential amino acids), omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin B12, iron, vitamin D, calcium, creatine, carnosine and zinc compared to
those following an omnivorous diet. Most if not all of these macro and micronutrients are also of special concern to physically active
individuals. For both aerobic and anaerobic fitness goals it is discouraged to have fat intake <20% of energy intake. For anaerobic
fitness goals aiming for 1.2-2 g/kg/bw. Vegan athletes should seek leucine rich protein sources to ensure optimal muscle protein
synthesis. For individuals who do more aerobic high caloric cost exercise, ensuring sufficient energy intake is important. A well-
planned plant based diet has the potential to increase health and improve physical fitness. To ensure a healthy adherence to both
requires special health education by fitness professionals.
dahlinghausmichaelf@sau.eduJ Obes Weight Loss Ther 2017, 7:7 (Suppl)
DOI: 10.4172/2165-7904-C1-55