BobbyG

b_young

I started a vegan diet about 2 months ago on a doctors suggestion. I am planning on staying on it for about 6 months at least. I have found it is very hard to find true vegan foods that are pre packaged. There are a lot of high protein energy bars that are vegan but they are hard to find locally. With proper planning you can easily make a high carb or high protein meal for a long ride without any issues. I don't think you would have to stop more. But I haven't had a long ride yet. I am planning on riding the Katy trail in MO again this year. So we will see.
They difference between vegan and vegetarian is vegan doesn't use any animal product. Honey, eggs, milk, etc are not on a vegan diet. I am on this diet trying to negate some of my family history with heart issues and at least delay a heart attack. There is a new term for vegan called plant based diet. It is usually what I say when I am asked because of the negativity associated with "Vegans." It's been hard trying to eat at a restaurant and stay true to the diet. And the biggest thing I have missed this far is BACON.

TiHabanero

I was talking to my sister in law this weekend about protein intake. She is a fitness nut and works out every day at the gym, rows during the season, and rides very little. She said that an athlete needs to eat near their weight number in grams. So if I weigh 230 pounds I need 230 grams of protein a day. I was shocked. No way do I come close to that. How in the world is it possible to eat that much protein, especially if there is no red meat in the diet?

Mitkraft, I am thinking about the no meat diet my dad went on as he battled congestive heart failure. It didn't help save him as it was a genetic disposition, however it may have helped extend his time. What I eat now is greens and chicken for lunch, PBJ for breakfast along with a lot of chocolate, and dinner is typically soup of some kind. Snacks are mainly peanuts and sunflower seeds (both unsalted), chocolate and maybe snack chips (unsalted) If I move to replace the meat, what is a proper substitute?

I really want to give this a go, but need to understand it more.

Iride01 

You are supposed to convert your weight to kilograms too. 230 lbs = 104 kg.

So 104 grams of protein.

TiHabanero

"You are supposed to convert your weight to kilograms too. 230 lbs = 104 kg.

So 104 grams of protein. "

Lol. Now that it makes sense! Seems sis in law forgot a small detail.

AlmostTrick

Protein is available from many sources. Protein deficiency is rare, even in vegetarians and vegans. The sports nutritionist in the GCN video posted above by eja (post #3 ) says as much.

The real deficiency for most of us is fiber, which is ONLY available from plant based foods.

Where do you get your fiber?

John E

I should probably refer your question to Rip Esselstyn.

https://engine2diet.com/meet-the-team/

andrewclaus

I've been vegetarian most of my adult life, since I married a vegetarian 37 years ago. And we cycle a lot. No, no need for more food stops. If you include nuts and seeds in your diet, the fat will leave you satisfied. If you can eat dairy, cheese is one of the most satisfying foods. Wrap that in a tortilla.

You don't have to buy packaged foods. Snack bags filled with nuts and raisins can be refilled--nuts for fat and protein, raisins for a quick sugar fix. Throw a couple tortillas in a bag.

Consider that eating nothing but chips and (some) beer is a vegan diet. Vegan does not mean healthy.

Iride01 

Raisin's are currently my go to snack after the 50 mile mark on a long ride. They seem to give me a quick boost. Otherwise I'm happy with just the carb's in my bottle which is usually a diluted CranGrape with a little bit of salt to bring up the electrolytes a tad more.

I'm still not convinced of the need for protein during the ride. As well nuts just didn't set well on my stomach by the end of long rides. If protein does come into the picture, then the 1.5 grams my 43 gram serving of raisins have should be enough for anything required during the ride.