Diet is just as important as training in bodybuilding, if not more so. A popular topic of discussion in fitness circles is what diet would be best for competitors. Some argue that traditional methods are best, while others are advocates of a plant-based diet. IFBB bikini pro Breana Wigley and IFBB pro women's bodybuilder Asha Hadley are both firmly positioned in plant-based camp, and they shared why on Femme Flex Friday with hosts Alina Popa and Lenda Murray.
"If you have an athlete, competitor or client that wants to go the plant-based route, vegan or vegetarian, there's a spectrum, you have to be really knowledgeable and flexible to work with that athlete," Hadley said. "So if you have someone who wants to switch to plant-based as opposed to animal products, you really need to be able to count the macros and work with them to make sure they're getting the quality protein and enough protein with it." protein sources.”
Wigley herself uses a plant-based diet when preparing for competitions. She actually earned her pro card by following such a program. She made the decision to switch to an all-vegan plan eight weeks before a competition.
"I had to find protein sources that worked and we were successful and earned me my pro card and I thought, you know, I'm going to keep going and I was competing, you know, two years in a row. You know, and then an all-plant-based diet," she told Popa. When Breana Wigley found quality sources of protein like quinoa, lentils, and peas, she felt great benefits from cutting out meat and dairy.
"I was able to eat a lot more because I was eating a wide variety of veggies and plant options, zucchini squash, like stuffing my bowls with kale and spinach, all those things. This gave me natural energy to burn and I was able to achieve my goals really easily as far as during prep, even to the point where my trainer said, 'Okay, we'll give you more food, so we need you to keep eating 'Cause you burn everything '"
Both athletes delve deeper into the benefits of focusing on plant-based food sources in this interview. Go to www.wingsofstrength.com to watch this and all episodes of Femme Flex Friday. New shows air every Friday at 6:00 p.m. Eastern Time.
