Commentary 2: Vegetarian Eating

Vegetarian diets are now part of mainstream eating in western countries and the customary diet in many countries for religious or cultural reasons. Testimonials about ‘plant-based eating’ and documentaries involving prominent athletes on social media platforms have probably contributed to the popularity of vegetarian diets among recreational and competitive athletes. Few studies have investigated the nutritional intakes or effects of vegetarian diets on performance. The proposed benefits and potential limitations of different types of vegetarian diets in meeting the nutrient requirements of athletes involved in high levels of activity are considered in this commentary. Where evidence on athletes is scarce, nutritional strategies are based on studies of vegetarians in other population groups and extrapolated to athletes involved in varied training programs.