Parents searching for a vegan-friendly book for their child will absolutely enjoy I Dance and I Eat Plants. Read our review in Vegan Journal: https://www.vrg.org/journal/vj2024issue4/2024_issue4_book_reviews.php
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photo from FreePik
By Reed Mangels, PhD, RD
Think of a pro football player. What words come to mind? Perhaps muscle, strength, power, speed. Depending on their position, players are estimated to require between 5,300 calories per day for a quarterback and 6,350 calories per day for an offensive lineman. Protein needs are high. The International Olympic Committee recommends that high-performance athletes get 1.6 grams of protein per kilogram body weight per day in order to maximize strength and muscle mass (1). That’s 0.73 grams of protein for every pound that a player weighs. Thus, a 315 pound offensive lineman would need 230 grams of protein daily.
Not surprisingly, football players are commonly encouraged to eat meat, lots of meat, along with other animal-based protein sources (2). Also, not surprisingly, cardiovascular diseases (conditions that can lead to events like heart attacks, strokes, and heart failure) are the most common cause of death among former NFL players (3). What if there’s another, healthier way to meet nutritional needs that doesn’t involve lots of meat and other animal products but that supplies recommended amounts of calories and protein and other nutrients?
Can a vegan diet be planned to meet the nutritional needs of professional football players? Researchers used existing data about NFL athletes to calculate calorie needs of pro football players (2). They then used information on the dietary intakes of vegans and scaled up the amounts of food these vegans ate to develop theoretical vegan diets that would meet the calorie needs of pro football players. When they did this, the resulting diets easily met or exceeded recommended protein intakes for pro football players. The theoretical vegan diets also supplied the recommended amount of leucine, an amino acid, for those wanting to maximize muscle development. The diets met recommendations for all nutrients. Fortified foods or supplements are needed to meet recommendations for vitamins B12 and D.
Vegan diets can be used by athletes with high nutrient and calorie needs like professional football players. They can also meet the needs of recreational athletes and less active individuals.
References
To read more about vegan diets for athletes see:
Athletes & Vegan/Vegetarian Diets
photo by Hannah Kaminsky
Who doesn’t love vegan sushi? In a previous issue of Vegan Journal, Hannah Kaminsky shared all you need to know from Basic Sushi Rice to Eggplant Unagi Nigiri; Spicy Tu-Not Temaki; Chia Caviar Gunkan; California Temmari; to Sweet Dragon Maki.
You can find these recipes and more here: https://www.vrg.org/journal/vj2024issue1/2024_issue1_vegetable-sushi-renaissance.php
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photo from Cotton Creations
Read our review of Cotton Creations delicious cornbread mix in the latest issue of Vegan Journal: https://www.vrg.org/journal/vj2024issue4/2024_issue4_veggie_bits.php
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Each issue of Vegan Journal includes a column called “Scientific Update” written by Reed Mangels PhD, RD. In the latest issue we cover the topics Dietary Protein, Especially Plant Protein, Is Associated with Better Odds of Healthy Aging in Women, as well as Calcium Absorption from Vegan Foods. Read these scientific paper reviews here: https://www.vrg.org/journal/vj2024issue4/2024_issue4_scientific_update.php
To subscribe to Vegan Journal in the USA only, visit: https://www.vrg.org/member/
Through December 31, 2024, you can give a gift membership to The Vegetarian Resource Group (includes a 1-year subscription to Vegan Journal) for $15 each. Offer is valid in the USA only!
This is a terrific way to share the vegan message, as well as support VRG outreach. Gift subscriptions can be done online by simply typing in your message and the name and address of each gift recipient in the comments field. Go to: www.vrg.org/donate
Smashed Potato and Vegetable Bake photo by Linda Tyler
Linda Tyler’s Casseroles piece in a previous issue of Vegan Journal serves up the following recipes: Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole, Succotash Gratin, Green Bean Casserole, Smashed Potato and Vegetable Bake, Sesame Soy Curls with Rice, and Millet à la Puttanesca. Start cooking today!
Find the recipes here: https://www.vrg.org/journal/vj2022issue4/2022_issue4_casseroles.php
Subscribe to Vegan Journal in the USA only at https://www.vrg.org/member/2013sv.php
In the latest issue of Vegan Journal, we’re so proud to feature the five young adults that won scholarships to college in 2024 from The Vegetarian Resource Group. Read about all their incredible accomplishments here: https://www.vrg.org/journal/vj2024issue4/2024_issue4_scholarship_winners.php
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photo from YouGov
YouGov did a survey to find out which product and company brands have bipartisan support. They were looking at point differences between brands selected by conservatives and liberals. They said of 2,200 brands considered, 29% were considered equally by liberals and conservatives. The top ones preferred by liberals over conservatives were Impossible Foods, Beyond Meat, and Silk. There was a 6.5% to 11.2% difference. So there is not as much division as some may think. Of their most bipartisan brands, KFC was number two. In the Casual Dining Sector, Buffalo Wild Wings was tops. In the food area, it was Progresso. As far as agreement, “I prefer fresh or shelf-stable food over frozen foods” was number six. So at family meals, maybe different political parts of your family can come together here.
Nava Atlas’s book Vegan Soups and Stews for All Seasons is now in its 5th edition and includes photos by Vegan Journal Senior Editor Hannah Kaminsky! You’ll find delicious soup and stew options for each season including Vegan Chick’n Noodle Soup, Thai-Spiced Sweet Potato Stew, Four-Grain Tomato Soup, and Beefy Seitan Stew all of which are perfect on a chilly day! Read the review of this book here: https://www.vrg.org/journal/vj2024issue4/2024_issue4_book_reviews.php
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Join The VRG with $35 via our subscription form, and receive the Vegan Journal for two years and a copy of Simply Vegan!
The Vegetarian Resource Group (VRG) is a non-profit organization dedicated to educating the public on veganism and the interrelated issues of health, nutrition, ecology, ethics, and world hunger. We have been helping health professionals, food services, businesses, educators, students, vegans, and vegetarians since 1982. In addition to publishing the Vegan Journal, VRG produces and sells a number of books.
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