Is it hard for vegetarians to build muscle?

Question

Im 23 and have been a vegetarian my whole life (and intend to be), last few months i have improved my deit and consumed less fatty and sugary stuff and started to drop pounds with a balanced exercise program.

A few friends at the gym tell me i am at a disadvantage when building muscles because i dont consume any sort of meat? I mean we vegetarians can pack on muscle mass cant we? but not trying to be a 250 pound bodybuilder of course!

What sort of foods and vegetables sould i eat more?

Answer 1

Protein is needed to build muscle. You get protein in a variety of ways like fish, dairy, soy and your beans. You get plenty of protein as a vegetarian.

Meat is not the only form of protein.

Answer 2

Nope.

http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=h...

And he's a vegan.

Answer 3

No, im a vegan/vegetarian and I eat soy portien, like soy beans and theres choclate mix that i put in milkshakes, its not that hard.

Answer 4

Do you think that your friends at the gym have actually tried to find proof that vegetarians can or cannot build the same amount of muscle.

You and I both know that they haven't even given it the slightest thought.

Potential is a product of your determination. Mental roadblocks prevent many vegetarians from believing they can do everything that meat-eaters can.

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/sto...

http://www.veganbodybuilding.com/phpBB2/...

http://www.veganbodybuilding.com/phpBB2/...

http://www.macdanzig.net/bio.php

http://www.scottjurek.com/career.php

I don't know how you were raised or what your parents taught you about nutrition, but here are some links that you should definitely read in case you have missed something.

http://www.veganhealth.org/sh

http://www.pcrm.org/health/veginfo

All vegetarians should take a B12 supplement regularly since most people eat meat, dairy AND fortified cereals yet still have a B12 status that is lower than recommended.

http://www.veganhealth.org/articles/b12

Answer 5

well wouldnt it depend on the person themselves and there body type?

there is a body builder who is vegan by the name robert cheeke who is well know i would say it has nothing to do with being vegetarian or vegan for body muscle meat doesnt even have that much protien like people think which can be easily gotten without meat and more protien in soy products but you need to balance your intake of all vitamins and minerals and make sure your not getting too much of one thing and its balanced

Answer 6

I suggest you show this to your friends at the gym

http://www.veganbodybuilding.com/?page=b...

Any of them look as if they're at a disadvantage?

Answer 7

My hubby is a vegetarian and he is built. He eats fruits, veggies, soy, tofu, beans and lentils (pulses).

Never had meat in his life. He only started building muscle at around you age so dont worry.