Introducing more plant based foods in your diet can have a positive effect on your sporting performance, irrespective of your level of sporting ability. It is however important to ensure that your diet provides a wide variety of low glycaemic foods for example; porridge, natural muesli, wholegrain bread, sweet potatoes, quinoa, fruit and vegetables and high glycaemic foods such as; white bread, jam, honey, white rice and white pasta to provide energy, pre exercise and during exercise. Post exercise, there should be more focus on consuming high glycaemic foods to provide a quick release of energy to refuel the body.
For some there might be a concern where to source protein options from plant based foods. There are a wide range of rich protein foods including; peanut butter, beans, lentils, chickpeas, soya yogurt and soya milk, both offer nut varieties (cashew and almond). These foods will aid the recovery process, post exercise and allow for the body to be prepared for the next bout of exercise.