Abstract
Dietary practices of vegetarians are of interest to the general population and athletes because of their health- and athletic performance–promoting potential. Well-planned vegetarian diets can meet the energy and nutrient needs of competitive athletes. However, inadequacies of several nutrients may be of concern when planning a vegetarian diet, including protein, essential fatty acids, iron, calcium, zinc, and vitamin B12. Vegans, especially female vegans, who avoid all animal products, are at greater risk of developing female athlete triad. Regular dietary assessment and nutrient status monitoring should be implemented to prevent deficiencies. Limited research indicates that consuming a vegetarian diet does not positively or negatively impact physical performance of athletes.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
