Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
I challenge anyone to name a single vegan bodybuilder. OP, my friend, you are in for quite a challenge... I wish you luck.

I can name tons. But, since a picture is worth a thousand words:

Robert Cheeke:
muscle5.jpg


World Bodybuilding Champion Alexander Dargatz
alex3.jpg


Kristopher Topher:
topher5.jpg


Avi Leyhani:
profile_avi_1.jpg


I will be the first to say that it's certainly more difficult, but there's nothing stopping you from bulking up to a very serious degree on a vegan diet.

If you are a guy, I wouldn't consume substantial quantities of soy, as it does have estrogen. Every now and then it is fine, but you might experience some unwanted effects if you have it very frequently.

Soy contains phytoestrogen, not estrogen.
 
Yea I went to a vitamin store yesterday and everything had milk in it. Everything. Soy protein is great, but I haven't seen any soy protein shakes.

Try the Protein Berry Workout Smoothie at Jamba Juice, it is my favorite tasting smoothie from that place and you can get it with Soy Protein. It comes in either Soy or Whey, and I personally like the Soy better. Plus if you are extra nice to the staff they will give you a double or triple portion of the stuff for free.
 
Whey Protein and hit the gym. Do 6-8 reps with heavy weight -- this will help gain mass.
 
Friends keep telling me to 'buff up' and that I look a bit gaunt these days, but overeating doesn't agree with me at all. Why is it so hard for skinny-folk to beef up a bit?

And yeah, I'm 6'3" and the trousers are a pain.
 
If you are a guy, I wouldn't consume substantial quantities of soy, as it does have estrogen. Every now and then it is fine, but you might experience some unwanted effects if you have it very frequently.

What would they be? Can you provide any data for this? How much is substantial?

Look, soybeans contain isoflavones. Two of them act as phytoestrogens in humans. There is zero estrogen in soy. Isoflavones act as antioxidants. There is research supporting the role of soybeans in lowered risks for numerous types of cancer; men and women included. The data just isn't there to show that it has a negative impact on men's health. It's a fallacy and one propagated by more and more misinformed people acting like scientists when they aren't.

Your vegan diet puts you at a nutritional disadvantage from the get go. I'm curious why you follow such a strict diet to begin with? I would highly recommend you see a registered dietitian and present them with your situation. He or she will be able to ensure you obtain the proper nutrition profile to support not only growth, but normal body functions.
 
Whey Protein and hit the gym. Do 6-8 reps with heavy weight -- this will help gain mass.


....and Xyience NO-Xplod (blueberry or fruit punch are both good). You will gain muscle and your strength will go through the roof. In 3 months I went up ~15% on max (360 to 420) and 25% more in reps (20 --> 25 @225). Those were plateaus I had for the last 2-3 years that I couldn't push through.

I don't know how, it just had some magic juju going on.
 
Lentils/legumes,beans,quinoa are all excellent sources of non animal protein. Lots of different ways to prepare them,it just takes a little more planning. If you have a good protein powder,you can make your own protein bars.I've been doing this for a while.If you want a recipe,let me know. Depending on what you want to do (cut or bulk up) come up with a workout plan that will give you the desired results. A good balance of cardio and weights. Not sure how serious you want to take it,but if you drink alcohol,limit it or cut it out for a while..Nothing kills protein synthesis like alcohol..Drink LOTS of water,even when you're not working out..Whatever you do,don't start doing any of the "designers" that are out there..
 
You need to eat whey protein. It's a pretty good compromise, and it really is the BEST form of protein for you. You are dangerously skinny, you need to bulk up a bit it sounds like. Self health > some animal's health. Usually, that doesn't need to hold, but in your case, you need to gain a lot of weight, and whey protein is the optimal solution. It is literally the best protein. If you want to make sure there's nothing else in it, get

Optimum Nutrition 100% Whey


C'mon, don't be a panzy.
 
You need to eat whey protein. It's a pretty good compromise, and it really is the BEST form of protein for you. You are dangerously skinny, you need to bulk up a bit it sounds like. Self health > some animal's health. Usually, that doesn't need to hold, but in your case, you need to gain a lot of weight, and whey protein is the optimal solution. It is literally the best protein. If you want to make sure there's nothing else in it, get

Optimum Nutrition 100% Whey

Truth. The most nutrionally optimal whey protein contains more amino acids and essential amino acids then even the best soy protein. Studies show that whey is more effective than soy (and hemp and pea don't even compare).

IIRC Ion Whey Isolate is nutritionally "the best".
 
Truth. The most nutrionally optimal whey protein contains more amino acids and essential amino acids then even the best soy protein. Studies show that whey is more effective than soy (and hemp and pea don't even compare).

IIRC Ion Whey Isolate is nutritionally "the best".
So, I guess a combination of both would be best? And, as a woman, it's different than men, so I'm thinking more soy is ok? I don't want to bulk up, just build strength, and yeah, look good!
 
Sounds like it will be tough to me if you don't eat meat. But I say get stuck into the peanut butter! How I wish I had your dilemma :( I love peanut butter
 
So, I guess a combination of both would be best? And, as a woman, it's different than men, so I'm thinking more soy is ok? I don't want to bulk up, just build strength, and yeah, look good!

Whey is best. It's the most complete protein supplement available.

Also, the whole soy/men thing is bunk.
 
Whey is best. It's the most complete protein supplement available.

Also, the whole soy/men thing is bunk.
I was seriously wondering, because the guy that owns the gym that my husband goes to, competes, and says that soy is bad for men. Curious what your thoughts were on that. As a woman, I want to be thin and strong, different from what most guys want.
 
I was seriously wondering, because the guy that owns the gym that my husband goes to, competes, and says that soy is bad for men. Curious what your thoughts were on that. As a woman, I want to be thin and strong, different from what most guys want.

The idea that soy is bad for men comes from the idea that soy contains estrogen. What soy does contain are isoflavones that are phytoestrogens and anti-oxidants. Phytoestrogen =/= estrogen, but it's a fairly common belief, as this thread evidences.
 
The idea that soy is bad for men comes from the idea that soy contains estrogen. What soy does contain are isoflavones that are phytoestrogens and anti-oxidants. Phytoestrogen =/= estrogen, but it's a fairly common belief, as this thread evidences.
But, you as a vegan, don't chose soy as a primary source of protein, so you must not see it as the most beneficial...
 
But, you as a vegan, don't chose soy as a primary source of protein, so you must not see it as the most beneficial...

Oh, I use soy protein exclusively as a protein powder. I recognize that whey protein is the superior supplement, but as a vegan, I have no choice but to use soy. Soy protein isolate provides nutritional benefits that is second only to whey. I know that using it means I have to work harder and eat more to compete with someone of the same level of fitness, but I consider the trade-off to be more than worth it for the peace of mind it affords me.

I supplement 30-50 grams of soy protein per day.
 
How about you get over being a vegan and eat like normal people do? It would solve your problem...
 
Oh, I use soy protein exclusively as a protein powder. I recognize that whey protein is the superior supplement, but as a vegan, I have no choice but to use soy. Soy protein isolate provides nutritional benefits that is second only to whey. I know that using it means I have to work harder and eat more to compete with someone of the same level of fitness, but I consider the trade-off to be more than worth it for the peace of mind it affords me.

I supplement 30-50 grams of soy protein per day.
And you've been putting on weight (muscle) right? You've been doing well as far as i can see. That helps me, cause I'm bombarded by people telling me I should be eating more meat, and I really just would rather not.
 
listen to iscariot's posts. he obviously knows what he's talking about. very knowledgeable.

Question for iscariot: relating to the OP, he's 6'4" - would his body type prohibit him from gaining weight properly or will he just have to work that much harder? is it a myth that tall people have a harder time putting on weight?

i know as a short guy (5'2"), i can put on wt in no time. good or bad wt that is. even when my body fat goes down, i can still bulk up quickly. or at least, it looks that way :)
 
listen to iscariot's posts. he obviously knows what he's talking about. very knowledgeable.

Question for iscariot: relating to the OP, he's 6'4" - would his body type prohibit him from gaining weight properly or will he just have to work that much harder? is it a myth that tall people have a harder time putting on weight?

i know as a short guy (5'2"), i can put on wt in no time. good or bad wt that is. even when my body fat goes down, i can still bulk up quickly. or at least, it looks that way :)

Thanks!

To answer your question, no it's not a myth, although it does warrant explanation.

A pound is going to mean less to a tall person than a short person. For example, a 6 foot 4 person with a BMI of 22 is going to weigh 180 pounds, so a pound represents .55% of his body weight. A 5 foot 4 person with a BMI of 22 is going to weigh 129 pounds, so a pound represents .77% of their body weight.

A tall person is also going to weigh more than a short person, so their basal metabolic rate (how much they need to eat to survive) is going to be higher. So they're going to need to eat more in order to reach the point at which they can gain weight.
 
Please define "get over,"

Stop being

"normal people,"

People who are omnivores.

and "problem."

Undernourishment and rapid decrease in weight.


If you need any more definitions, I'll be here all night.


Iscariot, as usual, is giving great advice. While I love the delicious taste of meat, you can make the necessary choices being a vegetarian to accomplish all of your bodily goals, it just takes some more/less work depending on what it is.
 
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.