The Vegetarian Athlete's Best Options
With dairy and eggs still on the menu for many vegetarian athletes, your recovery options are a bit broader. They're also easier to get from a finish-line vendor. Look for:
Low-fat chocolate milk: Milk provides your body with whey protein.
"Whey is a rapidly digested protein that quickly gets into the bloodstream to provide key amino acids to muscles," Rosenbloom says.
More: Perform as a Vegetarian Athlete
It also helps replace essential electrolytes lost in sweat such as sodium, potassium and calcium, according to GotChocolateMilk.com. It's the perfect post-race drink for vegetarian athletes, especially if it's hard for you to stomach food right after you workout or finish a race.
Cottage cheese: Similar to chocolate milk, cottage cheese contains leucine, an amino acid that triggers the stimulation of muscle repair and rebuilding. Add fruit to your cottage cheese for the perfect blend of protein and carbohydrates.
Eggs: Stuff scrambled eggs in a pita pocket. The protein in eggs is easy for your body to absorb and the carbohydrates in a whole grain pita provide the energy you need to enjoy the rest of your day.
More: Healthy Carbs for Endurance Athletes
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