OUR NATIONAL PLAYER ANNA FIEGERT IN THE POWERBAR BLOG
Game changer, just an experiment - or simply well thought out: The German national player Anna Fiegert (26) shared her experiences on the topic of vegan nutrition in a blog from our partner PowerBar. The ESC Planegg player has been eating vegan for about a year now and gives an insight into how she feels about it and what is on her table.
Vegan nutrition – a game-changer for athletic performance
Traditional eating habits are being questioned more and more these days - even in sports! A good example is the belief that foods of animal origin must be consumed to be strong, fast and healthy. A strict vegan diet involves avoiding any animal foods, be it for ethical, health, ecological or other personal reasons. Meat, fish, dairy products, eggs and honey are taboo. You can find out here which nutrients are considered critical in a vegan diet and whether this nutritional style is also suitable for athletes or even a recipe for success for greater performance.
Vegan and sport – does that go together?
The vegan diet is hotly debated among recreational and competitive athletes. Various athletes who follow a vegan diet have been able to prove that successful performance in endurance and strength sports is possible. A well-thought-out, vegan diet covers an athlete's nutritional needs. A high consumption of fruit, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts and seeds is typical and provides the body with plenty of fiber, antioxidants and secondary plant substances. These are accompanied by numerous health-promoting effects and a reduced risk of various nutrition-related diseases. However, based on the currently published studies, it cannot currently be confirmed whether a purely plant-based diet has an advantage on athletic performance.
The German national ice hockey player Anna Fiegert has also been eating vegan for around a year now: “I always liked experimenting with my diet. However, since I started eating vegan, I feel fresher in my everyday life. I also sleep better and overall have the feeling that I regenerate better.”
From theory to practice: This is how pro ice hockey player Anna Fiegert eats
“On a typical training day, I eat a smoothie bowl made of oat milk, fruit, chia seeds and granola in the morning before the first training session. For lunch, usually a sandwich made from whole grain bread with tofu patties or a large, fresh salad bowl with a vegetable protein source. For an afternoon snack, especially when I'm at training camp, I need something on-the-go. For example, nuts or a Real5 Vegan Energy Bar. This bar gives me compact energy in a handy format. In the evening I eat a warm meal. My current favorite recipe is a chickpea curry. I also supplement my diet with vitamin D and B12.”
And finally ... A well-thought-out vegan diet is also suitable for athletes. Increased consumption of plant-based foods such as fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, seeds and whole grains is incredibly healthy. However, it cannot currently be confirmed whether avoiding animal foods leads to an increase in performance. The vegan athlete Anna Fiegert also adheres to the following point of view: “Every athlete has to find out for their own body what and which nutritional style is best for them.”