The Plant-Based Athlete: A Game-Changing Approach to Peak Performance Paperback – June 6, 2023

I have followed Robert and Matt for a few years now. I met Robert on the Holistic Holiday at Sea cruise where I attended his workout classes and Matt through his No Meat Athlete podcast, so I had high expectations, and these guys delivered!! They present the science underlying a plant-based diet in an understandable context and provide ample evidence from top plant-based athletes in a variety of sports.I follow a plant based diet and exercise daily. I have experienced benefits from this lifestyle but I have to admit I have never pushed myself to any higher level. Reading this book and learning about the athletes and their lifestyles was really motivating. I have since incorporated the pre-and post-training meals and follow strategies I have learned about in this book. I have seen a transformation in just weeks, as I had plateaued for some time.In addition I have several tri-athlete friends and they have enjoyed reading the book as well. They were skeptical about eating a plant based diet while being an athlete but the science provided in this book helped back up what I have been telling them.Thanks guys for writing a book that needed to be written.

I should preface this by saying that this is Bianca Phillips (not Paul Dillard) as the profile indicates. I share an Amazon account with my partner! I'm a long-time vegan (17 years) who runs marathons and 50Ks, practices yoga daily, and spends a couple days a week strength training in the gym. I've learned a lot about vegan workout nutrition from No Meat Athlete (whose founder Matt Frazier is co-author of this book), but this book goes so much deeper.The authors, the aforementioned Matt and vegan bodybuilder Robert Cheeke, take a deep dive into macronutrients (carbs, fat, protein) and supplementation, and then they provide meal plans for various athletic goals, such as fat-burning or muscle-building. I love that they not only tell you how to eat, but they offer guidance on what to eat for optional workout fueling. The section on recovery is fantastic with suggestions on the best plant-based foods to reduce inflammation, and they break down carb-to-protein ratios for snacks/meals eaten before, during, and after your workouts.Matt and Robert interviewed more than 60 professional plant-based athletes to find what plant-based foods work best to ensure their peak performance. It was refreshing to see how many of those athletes were women! So often, the female perspective gets left out of these types of projects (my biggest complaint with the movie The Game Changers was the heavy focus on male athletes and the male experience).There's even a "day in the life" section where some of those athletes detail everything they eat in a typical day (including their pre- and post-workout meals). It's so cool to see how much those individual meal plans vary from athlete to athlete! It really does prove that every body is different!My very favorite section of the book is at the end — the recipes! There are more than 60 plant-based recipes, contributed by the athletes featured in the book. I was so excited to see recipes from ultrarunner Brendan Braizer, Olympic skier Julia Murray, triathlete Rip Esselstyn, cyclist Dotsie Bausch, bikini competitor Natalie Matthews, and so many more. I can't wait to try Natalie's Sloppy Vegan Chili and Rip's Sweet Potato Vegetable Lasagna!

The Plant-Based Athlete is a top-notch guide for anyone looking to boost athletic performance through proper nutrition. It offers science-backed advice on key nutrients and supplements, with practical tips for fueling your body for energy, recovery, and strength. The book covers everything from protein to vitamins, and includes clear guidance on meal timing and supplement use to optimize performance. Whether you're a serious athlete or just looking to improve your health, this book provides all the tools you need to succeed.

This book has some interesting research references and it made me more comfortable going more plant-based. There were a lot of testimonials and stories of individuals which I could do without, but there were a lot of good nutritional facts. The back has a variety of recipes which I am trying and so far so good!

I think this book is perfect for either new vegans or new athletes. I had studied vegan nutrition for years to make sure I was eating a balanced diet, but when I started running, I realized I had different needs. It's not easy to find that specific information online (or should I say there's a lot of information, sometimes too much to go through - pre-workout, post-recovery, etc.). I have read other books by vegan athletes, and while they're great, some of them can be a bit complicated to follow when you don't have more than 15 minutes to get a meal ready. This book has a bit of everything to get a new vegan or a new athlete going on their journey. I really like the day-in-the-life section because it shows there are many different ways to be a plant-based athlete. And many of the recipes look simple enough for weekdays, so I look forward to trying them.

I really enjoyed this book. It's highly engaging and helpful for anyone interested in incorporating more plants into their diet to enhance athleticism and health. It breaks down the basics in an approachable style for newcomers, provides helpful insight and resources for longer-term vegan athletes, and most interestingly, highlights the stories as well as "what I eat in a day"-type information for many, many plant-based athletes, some I knew, some new to me. I've had to order a second copy of the book, as I gave away the first to an athlete friend of mine who is increasingly interested in plant-based. So...great for yourself, great as a gift! :)