vegan protein

[andromedastrain]

I am well aware that the raw vegan protein issue is not even an issue, at least in my case. I have a varied diet with a heavy emphasis on lots of greens.

However, my soon to be step-son, who is 16 years old, believes he needs at least 150 grams of protien to gain weight and build up his muscles.

It's gotten to the point that a personal trainer his mother has hired, is telling him he really consider adding eggs to his diet!

He has been lacto-vegetarian since birth and unfortunately he doesn't have the healthiest diet, especially since moving to California with his mother.

You would think he would have some of the best foods available now because of where they're living, but his mother just won't believe what she eats (white rice/flour/sugar, dairy, insanely processed vegetarian junk food [veggie burgers, fake bacon/bologna/ground beef] and other SAD foodstuffs) is unhealthy. Even though both her and her husband are ill and she has said they need to write out their wills!

I've tried to talk with his mother a number of times, but she thinks I am just a young and naive idealist. She totally negates the fact that I have been cured of severe crippling rhuematoid arthritis by changing my diet.

PLEASE, if anyone can refer me to websites that really go into specifics of vegan body building to educate his trainer.

Also if there are any sights that can really sway extremely stubborn and closed-minded SAD eaters for his mother and step-dad. They are lacto-veg but don't believe there is anything wrong with supporting the commercial dairy industry and also buying TONS of processed soy crap.

The main thing that is so utterly depressing, is my step-son is on medications for ADD, ADHD, ODD, OCD, bipolar, allergies and asthma. I know these disorders are aggravated, if not caused, by his diet.

PLEASE HELP :(

[rawcanadagirl]

Hi Andromedastrain,

I do serious weight training, and take raw hemp protein in my evening green smoothies, to add calories and keep my weight up.

He can definately build muscle without adding eggs to his diet.
Much to the amazement of everyone at my gym, I have put on muscle and competed without eating any meat, whey protein, or eggs (all of which are consumed in LARGE amounts by people who are in competition mode - some guys even keep a baggie of chicken slices by their workout bench !!! :eek: )

There is a general consensus that it is impossible to get muscular on a vegetarian (not to mention raw vegan) diet. This is completely false!
I have done it - but I have to make sure that I get enough calories to not only keep my weight stable - but to increase my muscle mass...
I make sure that I eat fruit, veggies, and LOTS of healthy fats - nuts, seeds, hemp seeds/oil, avocado, etc....

Hopefully this helps a bit - and the less processed food the better. He will have more consistent energy throughout the day (blood sugar more stable), and more energy to get at those weights!!!

RCG

[Rawkinlocs]

RawCanadaGirl,

This is so great to hear about your successes in this area (weight training while raw) as this topic comes up often.

Would you happen to have any pictures to share of your physique? I think that lack of muscle and getting "too thin" is one of the main reasons many people either don't go raw in the first place or give up on it overtime.

I know there are others out there who successfully weight train and build muscle with a raw vegan lifestyle, but it's always nice to hear of others! :)

Oh...and welcome to the forum!! :D

[FloridaBahai]

Here are a couple of links:
http://www.charliesgym.info/default.php
http://www.rawfoodtalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=3708

Craig

[edie]

Rawcanadagirl is right in my opinion! :D I am a personal trainer, and I have competed in bodybuilding. I have been off and on this raw path for over 10 years and it's the only thing that works for me. The "bodybuilding diet" is so acidic I really did alot of damage with it. (but nothing that raw can't reverse)

Great to hear from another sucessful RAW BODYBUILDER!!!

[twinee1]

Welcome RCG. This is great another BB and competitor at the Forum. It seems that more BB and Fit/Figure Competitors are finding there way to the raw diet AND maintaining and building muscle. Yahoo !! We are a small group but we will grow in number fast !

When I went Raw I used egg whites as a Transition Food (I was not a rtotal Vegan at that point) thinking I needed to have the whites to boost my protein. The more I learned about eating Raw the less I ate eggs and now I am 100% Vegan. So NO he does not need eggs..and RESISTANCE TRAINING builds muscle not Protein. If protein builds muscle then those following the Adkins type diet would all be huge !!

I ate 150-180 grams a day for years ....and I did not add size during that time unless I boosted my weights.

If you go to bodybuilding.com ...put vegetarian diet or raw vegetarian diet into the search you will get 3-4 articles.

[Sharon in Colorado]

I am no expert in this but I have a DVD series by Dr. Doug Graham who has trained professional atheletes on raw. He stated that protein does not build muscles, resistance does. Also muscles regenerate during sleep, so body builders require a lot of sleep. The one thing that is needed is in abundance carbohrdrates through fruit, as that will supply the energy needed to build muscle mass. Yes, protein is required for every body but it doesn't do the actual muscle building.

[edie]

:) I can't eat any fruit (or any sugars) do to some health challenges I am having right now and it is working for them. I also just got back from a great work out! There is alot to be said about technique when training with weights. I use alot of super foods with my diet (chlorella, pure synergy, spiralina, maca)

[rawcanadagirl]

Edie, I also take spirulina and maca, as well as hemp oil and protein.
And I completely agree about the weights! It is amazing how much more effective a workout is when the emphasis is placed on proper form and technique, rather than just the weight.
My goal right now is to prove that I can be in top physical form while on raw -and I absolutely believe this can be done. My body feels better on raw - and I don't miss that oatmeal for one second!!! ;)

RCG

[PandaBear]

Yes to hemp! Hemp seeds sprinkled over a salad. OR, you can make a hemp seed dressing. Mix lemon juice, celtic salt, one date (optional) and hemp seeds, add water and blend! Hemp protein powder is great too!

[TA]

Thanks for the links, Craig. Charlie's site is very interesting and informative. I like free weight resistance training better than anything I've ever tried, including Pilates.

Tricia

[FloridaBahai]

Thanks Tricia,

I just started working out again today. Charlie posted this link on his site http://www.healthpromoting.com/Articles/articles/protein.htm I don't know if you saw it but it talks about how our bodies actually recycle protein - something I had never heard before.

Craig

[TA]

Hi Craig, thank you very much for posting that link. The report is clear and concise in its explanation of recycling proteins, very interesting theories and great for passing along to our kids as we attempt to get them into a more healthful way of eating (they're grown).

I really like Charlie's workout routines and will start them today.